Elderberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals that support immune system health, can lower blood sugar, soothe respiratory symptoms and may lessen colds and flu symptoms.
This recipe for dried elderberries (Sambucus Nigra), filtered or spring water and raw honey requires only basic ingredients like whole cloves and fresh ginger for flavor and health benefits.
Ingredients
There are various natural companies offering black elderberry syrup at health food stores, typically costing $15 or more for 4-8 ounces. Making homemade syrup yourself is easy and fun for kids to help make. Not only can it save money but you can fully customize its ingredients to meet your individual needs and preferences!
Start with black elderberries (Sambucus nigra). Choose either fresh or dried elderberries; for optimal results when using fresh elderberries make sure they’re properly cleaned and any green berries or leaves removed prior to adding to a pot with enough water covering them all. Add any desired additional flavors such as grated ginger, star anise seeds, cinnamon sticks or allspice if desired for maximum effect.
Add your desired raw honey. I prefer local, raw honey that’s abundant with antioxidants and healing nutrients for maximum effectiveness – you can find this at most natural food stores or beekeepers directly. Not only does adding raw honey sweeten the syrup for children to drink more easily but it can also strengthen immunity while soothing respiratory tract ailments.
Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat and allow it to simmer for at least 45 minutes; as more time goes by, the thicker your jam will become. Remove from heat once finished and allow it to cool before straining the liquid from the berries using a mesh strainer – extract as much juice out as possible by straining.
Keep the syrup stored in a mason jar and place in the fridge, where it should last several months. For longer term storage, consider adding vodka as a preservative; this won’t change its taste; rather it adds another layer of protection for its herbs inside.
Preparation
Making homemade elderberry syrup is easy and the kids will love it! This recipe utilizes elderberries as well as other immunity-enhancing herbs and spices for an irresistibly tasty syrup that your whole family will savor – perfect to start off the flu season off right!
Elderberries are one of the best natural treatments for colds and flu. Packed full of antioxidants and flavonoids to strengthen immunity, elderberries can boost your defenses against infections while soothing runny noses with antihistamines and anti-inflammatory compounds. Plus, with this syrup packed with ginger, cinnamon, and raw honey added for extra immunity support!
This recipe is quick and simple to prepare, using either dried or fresh elderberries for optimal results. Fresh might require extra work as they must be simmered longer; however, the taste will definitely surpass anything dry!
Add other medicinal ingredients to enhance both the flavor and health benefits of your syrup. Ginger can help ease gastrointestinal issues like gas and bloating; black pepper enhances bioavailability of nutrients consumed; cloves can soothe throat discomfort while relieving coughing fits; while echinacea root can provide great immune system support.
Once your mixture is strained, allow it to cool slightly while sterilizing jars and bottles (mason jars or these awesome swing-top flasks work great for this task). After it has set up, add honey until desired consistency has been reached and stir well before refrigerating to firm up further before enjoying or fortifying further with vodka or brandy for stronger tincture effects.
Refrigerate for 12 weeks for optimal storage; any past due products should have an off-odor or color and taste off as soon as they become exposed to air. Freeze any leftover syrup jars in an ice cube tray for quick, convenient herbal relief when needed most! Try mixing with tea, smoothies, cocktails, desserts or beverages!
Storage
Elderberry syrup should be stored in an airtight jar in your refrigerator, where it will last at least a week depending on its usage and frequency of openings.
Some recipes call for the addition of alcohol to increase shelf life. I personally do not add alcohol into my recipe, but if you wish to do so, simply follow the same directions in the original recipe you are following, with at least 1 cup of liquid being used per cup of honey used.
For those who lack the time or desire to make their own elderberry syrup at home, there are numerous all-in-one DIY kits available online that include dried elderberries, cinnamon sticks and spices – including one with added echinacea, rosehips and aronia berries for an added immune boost! One such company offering all-in-one kits is TC Elderberry who offer all-inclusive kits which include dried elderberries, cinnamon sticks and spices as well as one offering extra immune boosting features such as Echinacea Rosehips Aronia Berry for extra immune support! TC Elderberry even offer all-in-one DIY kits featuring dried elderberries, cinnamon sticks and spices – plus they even offer “kicked up” kits which contain added Echinacea Rosehips aronia berries! For an even greater immune boost they even offer kits which include Echinacea Rosehips aronia Berries added into each one kit for an all-in-one DIY experience!
To create homemade elderberry syrup, combine all the ingredients in a pot and bring to a boil before reducing to simmer for approximately 30 minutes until reduced by half. A crockpot or instant pot may also work, though they will take more time.
While simmering, stir the mixture occasionally to prevent it from scorching on the bottom of the pot. Once cool, strain off and discard pulp before whisking in honey for final touch.
Elderberries come in both black and blue varieties, or you can combine both for optimal results. When using elderberries in recipes it’s best to focus on using just the berries themselves without their leaves and stems as these could contain toxic substances which cause nausea or vomiting; cooking removes this toxin.
Homemade elderberry syrup should be stored in an airtight glass jar or bottle and should be refrigerated or frozen to be preserved for up to one week in the fridge, although some people opt to store this elixir longer term in their freezer.
Serving
Homemade elderberry syrup offers many advantages over store-bought products, from being cheaper and tastier, to being tailored precisely to your preferences and medicinal needs. Ginger, cinnamon sticks and whole cloves can add both flavor enhancement as well as support against coughing and congestion symptoms; black pepper boosts immunity; or use raw honey as a low-glycemic sweetener.
Start by gathering all your ingredients. You will need 6 cups of fresh or dried elderberries (black or blue), along with about 3 cups of water, for this recipe. It is best to forage or purchase the elderberries locally; or grow your own! The key to successful elderberry dishes lies in adding just enough sweetness without overdoing it – otherwise too much sugar may destroy their medicinal benefits!
Once you have all your ingredients together, bring them to a boil and simmer gently for around 45 minutes before allowing it to cool slightly and mashing with a potato masher or fork before straining through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean jar – discarding all berries, cinnamon sticks and ginger!
Once the syrup has cooled, add your sweetener of choice – raw honey is ideal as it contains many beneficial compounds that support immunity, but maple syrup or stevia may be great alternatives as non-glycemic sweeteners.
Final Touches To add some zest or juice of lemon for flavor enhancement and added vitamin C, fresh or dried ginger can help relieve inflammation while cold-busting properties, and adding black pepper enhances absorption of all the nutrients found within your syrup.
Homemade elderberry syrup can be enjoyed both hot or cold. Add it to beverages of your choice or drizzle it on oatmeal or pancakes – this homemade elderberry syrup should last 12 weeks in your refrigerator!
