Overview: The Sweet Scent of Sambuca They say that Rome wasn't built in a day. Neither was the secret recipe for Sambuca, one of Italy's - and the world's - most popular beverages. The medicinal properties of anise have been known for thousands of years. And the ancient Etruscans were among the first to infuse aniseed into a delicious, medicinal spirit. Today, it's said that Sambuca gets its name from Sambucus nigra, the scientific name for elderberry, another of this sweet licorise-flavoured liqueur's key indredients. It's here in Rome that the Thirsty Traveler experiences his first sweet sip before catching the "Buca Train" in search of elderberry groves, sambuca stills, and the very best in Italian cuisine.