What is the meaning of the three coffee beans traditionally served with sambuca?

The three coffee beans traditionally served with sambuca represent health, happiness and prosperity. The drink is called Sambuca, ghiaccio e mosche, and translates to sambuca, ice and flies. The coffee beans, which float to the top of the glass, are called the flies.

A sambuca shot is often ignited with fire to toast the coffee beans, then blown out before consumption. Sambuca is often paired with coffee. Due to its sweetness, it is sometimes added to it in place of sugar.

Sambuca is an Italian liquor made with anise and served at the end of a meal as a digestive aid, commonly known as a digestif.