A couple winters ago, I had pneumonia, and ever since, I have been more aware about keeping my immune system strong. One of the things I happened upon was dried elderberries, and after reading through some recipes, figured it would be easy to make syrup and other recipes. Elderberry syrup is a great way to help power you through the cold and flu system, boosting your immune system as far as prevention and also recovering from being sick.
To start, you’ll have to find dried elderberries. I buy mine on Amazon, making sure that they are always organic. I get a decent size bag that is at least 1 lb. My bag came with instructions for elderberry syrup as well.
(Amazon affiliate links)
Note: do NOT eat the dried elderberries on their own! They can make you sick, as small as they are!
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup dried organic black elderberries
- 3½ cups of water
- Optional – spices (you may want to take a look around on the internet for ideas for what spices will add more health benefits). For example, 1 tablespoon fresh or dried ginger root and 1 teaspoon cinnamon powder.
- 1 cup raw honey – I recommend a local honey, as I love to support local when I can, and I have also heard there are benefits to using local honey as far as allergies
Directions
Bring water to a boil.
Add elderberries (and any spices you might want to add, like ginger and cinnamon).
Mix, and simmer for about 45 minutes or more. You want your mixture to reduce down. Honestly, my elderberry syrup doesn’t seem particularly “syrupy”, but you can see how much the water level has dropped.
Once the mixture has cooled, strain your mixture. I use a fine mesh strainer, pressing the berries with the back of the spoon to extract the liquid as much as possible.
At this point you can toss the berries (I compost them).
Mix in your 1 cup of honey.
I store in a large glass jar, such as a Mason jar or old pickle jar. We avoid plastic when possible as far as leaching.
From what I have read, take 1 tsp daily as a preventative measure; more during the onset or duration of a cold.
*NOTE: Please consult your doctor as needed. I am not a doctor or herbalist. This recipe is adapted from the manufacturer instructions and a combination of recipes I have found. Research and prepare your remedies with care!
I have tried elderberry soda once at a restaurant. I would love to make my own syrup so that I can create the soda myself at home. I love this recipe!
I had never heard of elderberries until yesterday and now I feel like I’m seeing it everywhere.
You are the second person to mention elderberry this week. I had not heard of it prior to then. We are fighting off colds so I’m going to order some.
I am all for making healthy syrups to help boost the immune system. It is something that I could make for my family but I can’t have it. I’m on immunosuppressants and supposedly it makes you super sick (someone in my RA group advised that it made them extremely ill).
I was a judge of specialty foods and got to taste sooooo many Elderberry jams and syrups I think it kept me from getting the flu, lol.
I have never heard of elderberries until recently, but I have heard somethings about them that totally have me wanting to research them more to see what the hype is all about.
I’ve heard of elderberry syrup before, but I have never tasted it much less tried to make it. Now I’m curious what it tastes like. I will have to make this to find out.
Interesting. I’ve been hearing a lot about elderberry syrup recently. I haven’t tried it yet myself though.
I saw somewhere that they sell some in a gummy form. That would be convenient to have on the go.
My Mother was talking about trying Elderberry syrup last week. I’ll give her this recipe.
I never had tried elderberries syrup but it looks quite interesting to give it a try,
Wow! This looks delicious and the color makes it so enticing and tempting. I’ll definitely try this at home and give it a try. Thanks for sharing this with us.
I have never tried elderberry syrup, but I’ve heard plenty about it. This looks like a really easy method to follow to make my own at home!
I love elderberry syrup! We used to order homemade elderberry syrup from a local woman who makes it. I will look into making it myself!
I had no idea that you could make elderberry syrup at home! Thank you for sharing the recipe.
Honestly I’ve never known elderberry until now. How does it taste? I’d like to try it since I prefer natural teas and juices to boost my immune system.
Yum to the yum! I love elderberries but haven’t tried a recipe for elderberry syrup before. Just pinned to make with my daughter!
I think I have had the syrup at a restaurant before and loved it; your post is inspiring me to look for them on our next trip to the store so i can make it
I would love to try to make this!
This is something I would love to try.