Elderberry Syrup in 7 Easy Steps 

Elderberry Recipe

by Heather Stone  

Cold and flu season is upon us and there are a host of great herbs that can help prevent us from catching a nasty bug or can help ease the symptoms if we do fall ill. Elderberries are one of them. Elderberries are an immune stimulant. They have long been used in the early stages of colds, coughs and flu. In this post, I will take you through the 7 easy steps to make elderberry syrup.

 

You can use dried, fresh or frozen elderberries to make your syrup. I sometimes like to add a few other herbs to enhance flavor and function, such as orange peel, cinnamon, or ginger. Elderberry syrup can be rather pricey in the store so making your own can save you money. I like to use elderberry syrup as a preventative measure. In my family, we begin taking our daily dose of syrup at the beginning of cold and flu season around mid-November and continue through the winter months.

Here’s what you will need-

1 cup fresh or frozen elderberries or ½ cup dried elderberries

3 cups water

1 cup honey

1 cinnamon stick (optional)

1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger (optional)

 

Let’s get started!

 

1. Place your berries & herbs in cold water in a pot over medium-high heat.
2. Bring to a boil and then allow to gently simmer for about 30-40 minutes.
3. Mash the berries and let the mixture cool slightly.
4. Strain your herb/berry mixture through a fine sieve or cheesecloth. Make sure to squeeze

out all the juice.

4. Add your honey to the mixture and gently warm (do not boil) stirring to incorporate the

honey.

5. Let your mixture cool.
6. Once cool, place your syrup in sterilized bottles and keep them in the fridge.