Sambuca

That anise-flavored Italian liqueur your uncle orders after dinner — sambuca is more useful than its reputation suggests. Traditionally served with three coffee beans floating on top (representing health, happiness, and prosperity), it also works in cocktails where you want a licorice kick. Mix it with coffee, blend it into a Black Russian variation, or layer it in a B-52 riff. Molinari and Luxardo make the most well-known bottles. At 84 proof, it’s strong stuff, so a quarter-ounce is usually enough in mixed drinks. Burns with a nice blue flame if you’re feeling dramatic.

Last modified on October 15, 2026