Crystal clear, with anisette-like characteristics, Sambuca derives its flavoring from the fruit of the elderberry bush, not aniseed. Sambuca comes in a number of varieties and colors including white sambuca (which is actually clear), black sambuca (which is more like a dark purple) and red sambuca (which is actually red). In Italy it is common to serve neat. Sambuca with some floating coffee beans dropped on it. The beans are there as an ornament, but they can be chewed to increase the taste of anise. It is said that the beans represent health, happiness, and prosperity or the Trinity. Sambuca may also be served in a shot glass and then set on fire for a second or two, in order to increase its flavor.