Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe with Fresh Elderberries
A superfood. A powerhouse. Some would say a “cure all”. This elderberry syrup needs to be in your home!
Elderberry has become a household word due to its immune-boosting compounds. Sore throat? Take a spoonful of elderberry syrup. Coughing? Elderberry. Have a cold? Yep, you guessed it – Elderberry will do the trick. While there are many medicines and home remedies, elderberry is my go-to and, more often than not, a spoonful a day will knock just about anything.
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INGREDIENTS NEEDED
- Elderberries – I use fresh elderberries, but you can use dried or frozen elderberries as well.
- Water – tap water will work.
- Raw Honey- Local raw honey is best – especially for allergies. Local bees use plant pollen and nectar from your area to make honey, and often pass along anti-allergy effects.
- Cinnamon Sticks
- Orange
- Lemon
- Vanilla Extract
- Ginger Powder or Fresh Ginger Root
TOOLS YOU MAY NEED
- Large pot
- Measuring cups, spoons
- Juicer – optional
- Spoon
- Mason jars or glass bottles – Used for bottling and storing elderberry syrup.
- Cheesecloth or filter/strainer – for straining liquid.
What is Elderberry and Its Uses?
Raw elderberries are dark purple or black berries that grow on the elder tree (Sambucus nigra) and are usually ready to harvest late summer or early fall. They have a tart and slightly sweet flavor, reminiscent of blackberries. These berries have been used for centuries for medicinal purposes due to their many health benefits. Being rich in antioxidants, vitamins C, A, and other minerals, these berries can be used to support your immune system and reduce the duration of cold and flu symptoms. I like to use it in the kitchen as well. It can be made into elderberry juice, jam, extract and even used in pies, sauces and wines. Learn more about elderberry and its sister, elderflower, here.
How to make Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Gather Elderberries
Fresh elderberries are ripe and ready to gather when they turn dark purple and feel soft to the touch (Be sure not to confuse this plant with pokeweed). Pick the ripe elderberries and be sure to remove stems and leaves. Then, give them a good wash and pat dry. Now they are ready to store or process into a wide assortment of treats.
Storing Large Quantities of Raw Elderberries
- Refrigerate- store in a perforated plastic bag or breathable container for up to 1 week. Eat them fresh or enjoy in drinks.
- Freeze- spread the fresh berries in a single layer on a baking sheet and flash freeze. Then, transfer to airtight freezer bags. Freezing elderberries makes this valuable fruit last for up to a year. Use them in smoothies or thaw out and use in jams, baked goods, or more syrup.
- Vacuum Seal- vacuum sealing and then placing them in the freezer allows them to last even longer.
- Dehydrate- this a great way to store elderberries, however, you may lose some of the nutrients. Dehydrate on 135°F for 8-12hrs. Then, store in an airtight container in a cool, dark place for up to a year.
If you don’t have any elder trees, you can always find dried elderberries to order online.
Make Your Own Syrup
This elderberry syrup is simple to make and a must-have during flu season.
In a large stock pot over medium-low heat, combine all your ingredients except honey: 2 cups elderberries, 6 cups water, 2-4 cinnamon sticks, 1 orange – juiced, 1 lemon – juiced, 1 tablespoon of vanilla, and 1 teaspoon ginger.
Simmer on the stovetop for 40-45 minutes until liquid has reduced by half. Remove from heat, let cool, and then strain. Add raw honey and stir in.
Elderberry Syrup Tincture: you can add equal parts vodka after you mix in your raw honey. The benefits of adding vodka are like a hot toddy. It opens respiratory passages, clears mucous, quiets cough and helps with sleep. It also makes your elderberry syrup have a longer shelf life.
Now it’s ready to bottle or store how you desire.
Storing Elderberry Syrup
- Refrigerate: You can keep in the fridge for up to 1 month
- Freeze: Any of these methods will keep in a deep freezer for six months to 1 year.
- Glass bottles, jars, or food-safe containers- make sure the jars are freezer-safe. Also, don’t fill them completely full. Leave some room for the elderberry syrup to expand when freezing. Thaw overnight in the fridge.
- Ice cube trays- great for your daily portion if you need to knock a cold. Flash freeze in trays and then transfer the ice cubes to a freezer-safe ziploc bag.
- Silicone molds- If you have kids or grandkids, you can even put them into these perfect bite-sized silicone molds for quick elderberry drops on the go instead of elderberry gummies. Each bite-sized drop measures out to a teaspoon.
- Can: You can water bath can and store at room temperature for about a year, or in a cool dark place for several years as long as the seal is still good.
- Room Temperature: If you make your elderberry syrup into an elderberry tincture by adding alcohol, you can keep it at room temperature indefinitely.
Serve your Elderberry Syrup
- Gift: A bottle of elderberry syrup is a welcomed gift in all households.
- Tablespoon*: Take a tablespoon of concentrated syrup every day for prevention of infection. Double the dosage if flu symptoms have already hit.
- Water or Sparkling Water: mix 1-2 tablespoons of syrup with a large glass of water or sparkling water.
- Non-alcoholic drink: Add elderflower syrup to soda water and lemon juice for a nice refreshing drink on hot summer days.
- Yogurt*: Elderberry syrup make a great sweetener for your homemade yogurt, plus the little ones will love it!
- Hot, Iced or Herbal Tea*: add elderberry syrup to your tea for some added flavor. Drink it hot or add some ice.
- Pancakes: if you want to give your pancakes a twist – drizzle a little elderberry syrup to sweeten.
- Lemonade: some fresh squeezed or whey lemonade with a little elderberry syrup makes a nice refreshing drink.
- *These are my favorites, but see what else you can whip up in your kitchen for added flavor or health benefits!
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe with Fresh Elderberries
A superfood. A powerhouse. Some would say “a cure all” This elderberry syrup needs to be in your home!
Ingredients
- 2 cups elderberries*
- 6 cups water
- 2-4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 orange- juiced
- 1 lemon- juiced
- 1 Tbsp vanilla
- 1 tsp ginger*
- 1/2 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Add all ingredients together except the honey.
- Simmer on the stovetop for 40-45 minutes until liquid has reduced by half.
- Remove from heat. Let cool and strain.
- Add honey.
- Pour in glass jar or bottle and store.
Notes
- *Elderberries- you can use fresh, frozen or dried elderberries
- *Ginger- fresh ginger root or ground ginger can be used
- If you would like to make an elderberry syrup tincture, you can add equal parts vodka after you mix in your raw honey.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 29Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 3mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 5gProtein: 0g
This sounds wonderful! I might try to find some dried berries online. Thanks for your detailed info on how to make this into syrup!
Yes! Using it as a tonic is a must around here during cold season! But we also enjoy it as a sweet additive to teas and lemonade.
This is so helpful! I have used elderberry syrup, but I have never thought about putting elderberries in a smoothie before! Thanks for the great ideas 😁