Liquors have become an important part of the culinary world since they deliver much-needed flavor and aroma to the dishes. There are different types of liquors that can be used in dishes, but Sambuca is the most iconic one.
Sambuca is an Italian liquor that is often difficult to find. However, there are quite a few different substitutes that you can try out!
Sambuca – What Is It?
Sambuca is an Italian liquor with an anise flavor- sweet, aromatic, and resembling black licorice. The liquor has berry-like and herbaceous taste profiles (in the undertone).
Generally, it has a clear appearance, but there are red Sambuca variants as well. In addition, there is black Sambuca which tends to have a dark blue appearance.
The aniseed flavor of the liquor makes it fine for cocktails, coffees, and water. Knowing this flavor profile is helpful when picking a Sambuca substitute.
That’s right- if you’re out Sambuca you can get a fragrant liquor with matching taste easily.
Sambuca Substitutes
1. Galliano
Gallian is another Italian liquor with the much sought-after anise flavor. The flavor of Galliano is brought out by a combination of juniper, peppermint, vanilla, cinnamon, and herbs.
It has a bright yellow appearance, and it typically comes in a tall bottle (the bottle is usually triangle-shaped). It is widely used in cocktails, such as Golden Cadillac and Harvey Wallbanger.
Yellow Bird and Golden Dream also get their distinct taste from Galliano. You can replace Sambuca with Galliano in different cocktails as well. These include Coffee Frappe, Italian Tourist, and Fairy Flower Lemonade.
Galliano can be easily found at the local liquor stores as well as online. It can not only be mixed in cocktails but it also makes a great ingredient in desserts like fruit trifles.
Galliano can be added to savory dishes like chicken and mushrooms too.
2. Herbsaint
If your recipe can handle heavy flavor, Herbsaint is a fine choice. This liquor has a strong flavor, and you can distinctly taste the star anise in any Herbsaint.
It can be added to different cocktail recipes, giving them a sharp and crisp finish. It can replace Sambuca in the majority of recipes and cocktails like Sazerac.
Herbsaint also goes with Oysters Rockefeller and can be mixed up with different drinks.
3. Ouzo
For the most part, Ouzo is extremely famous in bars and outside cafes of Cyprus and Greece. To illustrate, it is the dry aperitif, but it has the dominant flavor of licorice.
This is a potent drink, derived from rectified spirits. However, it’s made with spirits that are distilled for additional flavors and ingredients. It can be added to water for distillation too.
In addition to that, Ouzo pairs fine with sweet dishes and cocktails. It’s a good substitute for Sambuca, but the alcohol count might be a bit higher. Adjust the liquor in your cocktail accordingly.
4. Anesone
This is a clear Italian liquor that lacks any tint. Like all our best Sambuca substitute picks so far, Anesone also has a dominant anise flavor.
This liquor can be diluted with plain regular water only, making a refreshing beverage after a long day of work. Anesone can be mixed with coffee too- this brings out the delicate aroma and fragrance.
Italian coffee cocktails and espresso martinis get a big boost of flavor when you add Anesone.
Keep in mind though that despite arising from anise seeds like Sambuca, Anesone is a tad drier. This makes the liquor taste less sweet. In addition to this, Anesone doesn’t have the herbal taste of Sambuca.
5. Raki
Unlike the substitutes mentioned previously, this isn’t an Italian drink- Raki is actually a Turkish liquor. However, its flavor profile is quite similar to Ouzo, which is why the two are often confused between.
A key difference is that Raki is stronger than Ouzo, and the alcohol content of Raki is much higher as compared to Sambuca. The strong anise flavor of Raki makes it suitable for replacing Sambuca, but only in smaller amounts.
The intense flavor of fine Raki can overpower your cocktail and entrees.
6. Roiano
This is another close substitute for Sambuca since the two share a similar flavor and undertone profile. As far as the appearance is concerned, Roiano has a yellow or golden shade with a combination of vanilla or anise flavors.
However, it may be sweeter than Sambuca for some, so add to food and drinks accordingly. Unfortunately, even though it’s an excellent alternative for Sambuca, Roiano can be hard to find in the US as it’s mostly prepared in Italy.
7. Licorice Extract
If you are fine with the non-alcoholic substitutes for Sambuca, licorice extract can replace the alcohol pretty easily. It’s mainly because licorice extract delivers the anise flavor to any recipe it’s added to.
However, the flavor is always in a concentrated form. While you are substituting Sambuca, you have to make sure that you use the smaller quantities. It can be added to baking recipes, flavored drinks, marinades, and candies.
And just a side note, some people like adding Sambuca to desserts and frosting as well. In that case, it’s better to substitute the liquor with vanilla extract rather than licorice extract.
The vanilla extract gives a somewhat similar flavor profile to dishes as Sambuca would.
8. Anise Extract
What’s better than adding licorice extract to replace anise-flavored alcohol? Anise extract itself, of course! Not only is this product readily available at grocery stores and online, but it can be made at home in a few simple steps.
Anise extract is strong, and it needs to be used in tiny amounts. It’s best used in baking cookies and cakes, as well as anise cocktails. The Mediterranean and Latin American cuisine often used anise extract too.
Making a fragrant anise extract at home takes a whopping 2-3 months, so it’s better to get it from the store. Still, if you need a recipe to follow and make anise extract for future baking ventures, read below.
Firstly, grab a glass jar. Add around 2 tsp dried anise seeds (4-5 grams), 8 oz vodka, and cover it with the lid tightly. Give the jar a good shake daily. Let it sit in a cool spot away from direct sunlight.
9. Tsipouro
Tsipouro is likely the precursor to Ouzo, which is a well-known Sambuca substitute we talked about earlier in this article. This is a Greek high-octane brandy distilled from the finest grapes’ pomaces.
Clove, nutmeg, and garlic can be added to Tsipouro and enhance the star anise flavor.
You can use Tsipouro in any cocktail as it doesn’t have a strong taste. Rather, Tsipouro is light, aromatic, and sweet. When it’s diluted with water or ice, it makes Ouzo.
10. Arak
Arak is a Lebanese anise-flavored liquor. It’s typically served at family gatherings after a long week. Arak is usually served diluted with water.
The spirit is so strong that even one-third Arak and two-thirds of water can be considered high in alcohol. It’s definitely a good Sambuca replacement for dishes that need a strong aroma.
11. Mastiha
Last on our list (but not least) is Mastiha- a Greek liquor. The name for this alcohol comes from the tree resin called mastic contained in it that’s derived from Pistacia shrub, an evergreen plant.
Mastiha originates from the Greek island of Chio.
When it comes to replacing Sambuca in a recipe, Mastiha is a wonderful option for cocktails and light drinks with lemon and berries.
Mastiha is the perfect alcohol for a beach summer party or cruise trip. However, it won’t be wise to add Mastiha to savory foods.