Romana

Romana Sambuca is Italy's original sambuca — an anise-flavored liqueur produced since 1945, made from star anise oil, elderflower, and other botanicals at 42% ABV (84 proof). Romana is the brand that established the sambuca category and is responsible for the tradition of serving it “con la mosca” — with three coffee beans floating in the glass, representing health, happiness, and prosperity.

Sambuca is distinct from other anise spirits: unlike absinthe (dry, botanical, high-proof) or pastis (diluted, lower-proof, French), sambuca is a sweet Italian liqueur with a thick, slightly oily texture from the high sugar content. The star anise-elderflower combination in Romana produces a sweeter, more floral anise character than wormwood-forward absinthe or the dry herbal profile of French pastis. It is commonly served neat at room temperature, flamed briefly to caramelize the surface sugars and release additional aroma, or as a shot with the three coffee beans. Romana Black is a sambuca variety made with black elderberry for a darker color and slightly earthier flavor profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “con la mosca” mean and why three coffee beans?

Con la mosca means “with the fly” in Italian — a reference to the three coffee beans traditionally floated in a glass of sambuca. The three beans symbolize health, happiness, and prosperity in Italian tradition. The coffee beans are not just decorative: chewing them while sipping the sambuca provides a counterpoint of bitterness and coffee aroma against the sweet anise of the liqueur. The tradition is specifically associated with Romana Sambuca, which introduced it as a serving ritual when the brand launched in the 1940s. Some establishments serve sambuca con la mosca with five beans (representing good luck) or seven beans (a lucky number in Italian culture).