Molinari Sambuca Extra 70cl

This is the anise liqueur you pour when you want flavour that doesn’t whisper. Molinari Sambuca Extra is Italian, unapologetically aromatic, and built around that punchy star anise and liquorice vibe that sambuca lovers chase.

Why it deserves space on your shelf, it’s a specialist that’s weirdly versatile. It can be the loud, confident accent in cocktails, the secret handshake in coffee drinks, or the finishing touch that turns a basic after-dinner moment into something you’ll remember.

Molinari’s calling card is clarity and intensity. You get a focused anise profile, then layers start showing up, gentle sweetness, warm spice, and a lightly herbal edge that keeps it feeling crisp instead of one-note.

• Nose: Star anise straight away, liquorice root, sweet spice, and a clean, cool herbal lift.
• Taste: Bold anise and liquorice up front, then a rounded sweetness, hints of peppery spice, and a silky texture that carries flavour without feeling heavy.
• Finish: Long, aromatic, and lingering, with anise and spice hanging around like the last word in a debate.

Where this liqueur really shines is mixability. Use it when you want to “anise-ify” a cocktail without turning it into a novelty drink. A small measure can transform an Espresso Martini into a proper sambuca-coffee mashup, sharpen up a simple highball, or add a liquorice snap to dessert-leaning classics. If you like building drinks at home, this is one of those bottles that makes you feel like you’ve unlocked a new flavour category.

It’s also a solid pick for hosts. Sambuca has that instant recognizability, people smell it and they know what’s coming, and Molinari delivers the version that tastes clean, punchy, and confidently Italian.

Fun Fact: Molinari is one of the most famous sambuca producers in Italy, and “Extra” isn’t just a flourish, it’s part of the house identity, tied to a higher standard of anise-forward flavour that helped make the brand a staple in Italian bars.