From The Food Encyclopedia by Jacques Rolland and Carol Sherman
From the botanical name for the elder, Sambuca nigra, an Italian liqueur flavored with oil from the elder, white elder blossoms and licorice. The custom of serving this drink neat and with three coffee beans is said to represent the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit; others say it's for health, wealth and happiness. Many Italians call it con la mosca, meaning "with the fly" and crunch the beans as they drink the liqueur.
