Italian Anise Liqueur · Ascoli Piceno · Since 1870
Star anise, elderflower and sugar, made in the Marche by a house that has been distilling since 1870. Meletti Sambuca is the bottle that ends an Italian dinner — poured neat with three coffee beans floating on top, one for health, one for happiness, one for prosperity.
Silvio Meletti begins distilling in Ascoli Piceno, in the Marche, working with anise grown in the surrounding hills.
1907
He opens Caffè Meletti on the Piazza del Popolo — a Liberty-style room that becomes the town's living room and still is.
The Sambuca
Star anise distillate, elderflower and sugar, bottled at the full 38% that Italian law demands of a true sambuca.
The Ritual
Served con la mosca — with the fly. Three coffee beans on the surface, one each for health, happiness and prosperity.
What Sets It Apart
Star Anise
Distilled, not flavoured — clean and unmistakable
Elderflower
Sambucus — the flower the whole category is named for
Since 1870
One family, one town, one hundred and fifty years
Con la Mosca
A serve that comes with its own small ceremony
Tasting Profile
Star Anise
Elderflower
Liquorice
Sweetness
Star AniseElderflowerLiquorice RootWhite PepperWarming Finish
How to Serve It
Con la Mosca
Neat in a small glass, three coffee beans floating on top
Caffè Corretto
A measure stirred into hot espresso, the Italian correction
Ghiaccio
Over ice with a splash of water, and watch it turn cloudy
Pairs Well With
Espresso
In the glass or beside it, either works
Dark Chocolate
Anise and cocoa, an underrated pairing
Biscotti
Hard almond biscuits, dipped without apology
A Long Dinner
The bottle that appears when nobody wants to leave
The Finishing Touches
Green Velvet Gift Box
Our signature presentation box, added at checkout.
Hand-Tied Ribbon
Wide cream satin, tied by hand into a full bow.
Signature Gift Bag
Our matching gift bag, so it's ready to hand over on arrival.
Your Message
Add a personal note at checkout — we'll include it with the delivery.
Sending it as a surprise? Enter the recipient's address at checkout and we'll deliver straight to their door, boxed, ribboned and carrying your message — in as little as 30–45 minutes anywhere in London.
How We Deliver
London · 30–45 Minutes
Delivered to your door 24/7, 365 days a year, across Greater London.
UK-Wide Delivery
Express in 1–2 business days, standard in 3–5. Rates shown at checkout.
Tracked & Confirmed
Shipment confirmation with live tracking sent to your email.
Challenge 21
Age verified on delivery — 18+ ID required. Responsible retailing, always.
At a Glance
Origin
Ascoli Piceno, Marche, Italy
Style
Sambuca — anise liqueur
Key Botanicals
Star anise, elderflower
Signature Serve
Con la mosca
ABV
38%
Bottle Size
70cl
Questions
What are the three coffee beans for?
The serve is called con la mosca — "with the fly". Three beans float on the surface, one each for health, happiness and prosperity. Two or four is considered unlucky. Chew them as you finish the glass.
Why does it go cloudy with water?
The same reason pastis and ouzo do. Anise oils dissolve in alcohol but not in water, so adding ice or a splash drops them out of solution as a fine emulsion. It is called the louche, and it is a sign the anise is real rather than added as essence.
What makes this a sambuca rather than just an anise liqueur?
Italian law: a sambuca must be built on anethole from anise, sweetened to at least 350 grams of sugar a litre, and bottled at no less than 38%. Meletti hits all three, and adds elderflower — the sambucus the category takes its name from.
Who is this a good gift for?
The host who cooks Italian, the person who always suggests one more coffee, and anyone who enjoys a drink that comes with instructions. It is a bottle that gets opened at the table rather than put on a shelf.
Can you deliver it directly to the person I'm gifting?
Yes — enter their address at checkout and add your message. In London it can be at their door within 30–45 minutes, any hour of the day. The recipient must be 18+ with ID for our Challenge 21 check.
Why Buy From Drinks House 247
✔ 100% authentic stock✔ 4.8★ Google · 223 reviews✔ Gift-boxed and ribboned✔ Open 24/7, 365 days✔ London's 24-hour spirits house, based in Battersea
18+ Please enjoy Meletti Sambuca responsibly. For guidance and support, visit drinkaware.co.uk.
