Elderberry Syrup Recipe
This homemade elderberry syrup recipe is a simple, immune-boosting natural remedy made with dried elderberries, fresh ginger, cinnamon sticks, and raw honey. Known for its antiviral properties and rich antioxidant content, this elderberry syrup is perfect for supporting your immune system during flu season. This easy, small-batch recipe is great for the entire family and can be taken daily or at the first sign of cold and flu symptoms.
Equipment
- 1 fine mesh sieve or strainer nut milk bag will also work
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic dried elderberries
- 4 cups water
- 1-2 organic cinnamon sticks
- 1 inch fresh organic ginger minced
- 1-2 whole cloves
- 1 tsp lemon juice optional but important for preserving
- 1 cup raw honey local raw honey is best
Instructions
- In a medium saucepan, combine the elderberries, water, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, and whole cloves. This is the base of your homemade elderberry syrup.1 cup organic dried elderberries, 4 cups water, 1-2 organic cinnamon sticks, 1 inch fresh organic ginger, 1-2 whole cloves
- Place the saucepan over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle boil.
- Once boiling, reduce to low heat and let it simmer for 30–45 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce by about half. This helps extract the immune-boosting compounds from the berries.
- While simmering, use the back of a wooden spoon to gently mash the berries and release more of their juices.
- Take the saucepan off the heat and allow the mixture to cool for about 10–15 minutes.
- Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a bowl, pressing the berries to extract as much elderberry juice as possible. Discard the solids.
- Let the strained liquid cool completely to room temperature before adding any sweetener. This is important to preserve the benefits of the raw honey.
- Add 1 cup raw honey and 1 teaspoon lemon juice, stirring well until fully combined.1 cup raw honey, 1 tsp lemon juice
- Pour the finished elderberry syrup into glass jars or an airtight container.
- Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 months, or freeze in small portions for longer shelf life. There is some controversy out there over how long elderberry syrup is good for. But from what I've researched, if you use the lemon juice and raw honey in the recipe, they act as natural preservatives and it can last for up to 2 months. If you don't, then it will only last a couple of weeks.
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!