Sign In
  • News
    • Beer
    • Spirits
    • Wine
    • Environmental, Social & Governance
    • Financial Results
    • Marketing
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • New Product Development
    • From the Industry
  • Intel
    • Comment
    • Interview
    • Category Intel
    • Consumer Intel
    • Market Intel
  • Awards
    • Global Drinks Awards
    • New Product Awards
    • ESG Awards
  • Magazine
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
  • News
    • Beer
    • Spirits
    • Wine
    • Environmental, Social & Governance
    • Financial Results
    • Marketing
    • Mergers & Acquisitions
    • New Product Development
    • From the Industry
  • Intel
    • Comment
    • Interview
    • Category Intel
    • Consumer Intel
    • Market Intel
  • Awards
    • Global Drinks Awards
    • New Product Awards
    • ESG Awards
  • Magazine
  • Newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • Contact
Search
OKI Banner - https://www.oki.com/uk/printing/label-printer/?utm_source=OKI+Web+Chat&utm_medium=Bing&utm_campaign=Global+Drinks+Awards&utm_content=ACTFUND-1070&activity_code=ACTFUND-1070


Identifying the next steps for sambuca – Category Intel

Jessica Broadbent
Last updated: 02/09/2026 at 3:28 PM
By Jessica Broadbent
19 August 2026
10 Min Read

From digestif to party shot, sambuca has multiple faces. In recent years, however, the anise-flavoured Italian liqueur has struggled to retain its relevance amid changing consumer preferences.


Antica-branded glasses of sambuca

From digestif to party shot, sambuca has multiple faces. In recent years, however, the anise-flavoured Italian liqueur has struggled to retain its relevance amid changing consumer preferences.

SHARE
Long pigeonholed as either a shot or a digestif, sambuca has struggled to remain relevant amid emerging preferences for lower-ABV, lighter and ‘healthier’ servesBrand owners believe the category needs to embrace new serves like long drinks and cocktails, as well as innovative consumption occasions in the on-premiseWhile some attempts are being made to make sambuca more exciting, smaller brand owners feel there needs to be a category-wide push to revive its prospectsThe words used to describe the market for sambuca are fairly uninspiring - ‘mature’, ‘traditional’, even ‘dormant�

This article is available to Global Drinks Intel members only.


Click below for details on how to join the Global Drinks Intel community.


Subscribe for UNLIMITED Access


Already a member?


Log in here to read the article in full.


If you work for any of the following corporate subscribers to Global Drinks Intel,

head here to activate your access.


  • AB InBev
  • Bacardi
  • Campari Group
  • Diageo
  • Moët Hennessy
  • Pernod Ricard
  • Proximo Spirits
  • Suntory Global Spirits
  • William Grant & Sons

Jessica Broadbent
ByJessica Broadbent
Jess joined Global Drinks Intel as deputy editor in January 2026 following a stint as a freelance journalist in Panama. She was previously deputy editor at Just Drinks. She has bylines in other industry titles including The Buyer, Fine Lees and Just Food, and has been a sub-editor at The Daily Mail.
Previous Article Carlsberg quarterly sales Q1 2022-Q2 2026 chart Sales growth eases for Carlsberg in second quarter – results data
Next Article Elit-branded serving bar with Mykonos backdrop Elit Vodka brings ‘Chic Elit’ to Mykonos with refined summer ritual for luxury hospitality
BCB Berlin 26 MPU - https://www.barconvent.com/berlin/de-de/tickets.html?utm_campaign=RXDE_BCBDE_2026__GDI-Website-Banners&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pr

The Newsletter

Sign up to receive our newsletter email

  • The very latest news from across the world's beverage alcohol industry
  • Cutting-edge intel from our in-depth category & market analyses, backed by benchmark industry data
  • The best insight on your competitors from our interviews with the industry’s leaders

This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

Follow on Social

Linkedin Twitter
Short Tower for ProWine Shanghai 26 - https://www.prowine-shanghai.com/links?id=23
BCB Berlin 26 Banner - https://www.barconvent.com/berlin/de-de/tickets.html?utm_campaign=RXDE_BCBDE_2026__GDI-Website-Banners&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=pr

You Might Also Like

Glass of brown spirits with IWSR logo

How spirits brand owners can keep the high-end healthy in a downturn – Consumer Intel

2 October 2026
Appleton Estate 1999 bottle

This week’s new spirits launches – 28 September – 2 October 2026

2 October 2026
Absolut Vodka Artist Edition KAWS

Pernod Ricard lines up third Absolut ‘Artist Edition’ pack – video

2 October 2026
Corby logo

Pernod Ricard-affiliated Corby Spirit & Wine extends production deal with Hiram Walker

1 October 2026
Linkedin Instagram

What next?

  • Sign up to our FREE newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • My Account
  • Sign up to our FREE newsletter
  • Subscribe
  • My Account

About

  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Contact
  • Privacy Policy
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms & Conditions

Copyright © 2026 Global Drinks Intelligence Limited. All Rights Reserved

Built and Managed by Kukoo Creative