Simple steps how to make elderberry syrup! This homemade elderberry syrup recipe is simple and will save you a bundle of money when made at home with dried elderberries.
When your feeling a little under-the-weather a spoon full of elderberry has powerful natural healing benefits. Plus it is remarkable how easy it is to make at home!
Health Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
Elderberries are loaded with antioxidants to boost the immune system, fighting symptoms of cold and flu, sore throat, bronchitis, cough, fever, and other respiratory problems. This makes it important to take elderberry syrup frequently at the first on-sight of symptoms and can prevent a full-blown cold from happening.
Related: 10 Best Natural Remedies For Cough, Cold and Flu
For years I would always give my family elderberry right at the onset of symptoms to a cold or when we know we will be exposed to sickness such as when traveling on an airplane. But the thing is it can be painfully pricey to constantly be taking elderberry syrup, especially as a family of four.
We would go through a bottle in three days, and it should be that you continue to take it up to 48 hours after symptoms are gone.
Recently our whole family was sick with colds and my husband ended up having bronchopneumonia. I was telling my I make my own syrup and was out of the dried berries so I will get some when I get to our specialty store.
Well the next day a package arrived with a bag of these dried elderberries my mom sent us! Even across the country my mama still takes care of us😊. It was like bring over a warm bowl of soup.
This homemade elderberry syrup recipe is quite simple to make and I am so excited to share it with you! Let's get started!
Related: Immune Boosting Recipes
Ingredients for Elderberry Syrup Recipe
- Dried Elderberries: First get your dried elderberries. These can be found in most specialty grocery stores and natural markets. You can also order it online here.
- Honey: Preferably raw and local so you get the local allergens. This adds flavor and coats the throat. You can also use Monk Fruit sugar for a sugar-free syrup.
- Lemon Juice: Adds a pop of flaaaavor and vitamin C!
- Cinnamon Sticks: Cinnamon is an anti-inflammatory and helps reduce inflammation and gives the elderberry syrup recipe delicious flavor!
- Ginger: Aids to reduce inflammation.
- Nutmeg: More flavor.
- Cloves: Bonus flavor.
Tools you will also need are:
- Mesh Bag or Cheese Cloth: Along with that you will need a good mesh bag or cheese cloth to strain the elderberry juice after it has been boiled and the berries have been strained. I love Ellie's Best and use it also for making cauliflower pizza crust and nut cheese. It does not get fibers in the food and rinses off well for easy cleaning!
- Strainer: This separates the cooked elderberries and cinnamon sticks from the water.
How To Make Elderberry Syrup in 4 Simple Steps
- First cover and boil the elderberries, cinnamon sticks, fresh ginger, nutmeg and cloves in water. When the water gets to a boil cover and turn the heat down to a simmer. Let it simmer for 30 minutes, covered. It is optional to mash the berries to release extra flavor in the juice, but not needed.
- Strain out the berries and spices with a strainer or nut bag over a large bowl (squeeze out extra juices if using a nut bag).
- Add the honey and lemon juice to elderberry juice and mix well. You can also substitute honey for maple syrup if giving to children under 1 as they should not have honey.
- Transfer the elderberry syrup into a mason jar with a lid and store in the refrigerator.
I hope you enjoy! This makes a bunch of syrup – way more bang for your buck than buying it at the store! We keep ours in the fridge all the time and take about 2-4 tablespoons daily. Making elderberry syrup at home is a wonderful way to get all the health benefits of elderberries everyday to keep your body healthy, glowing and vibrant! Drink 1 tablespoon 4 times a day.
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Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups water
- 1 cup elderberries dried
- 1 cup honey Can also use Monk Fruit or Maple Syrup in place of honey for vegan and babies
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 2 cinnamon sticks (can break each in half)
- 1 inch fresh ginger skin peeled off
- 10 whole cloves
- 1 whole nutmeg
Instructions
- In a medium pot, cover and boil the elderberries, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cloves, and nutmeg in water. When the water gets to a boil turn the heat down to a simmer. Let it simmer for 30 minutes, covered. It is optional to mash the berries to release extra flavor in the juice, but not needed.
- Over a large bowl, strain the berries and spices with a strainer or nut bag, releasing the juice into the bowl.
- While it is warm, add 1 cup of honey and lemon juice to the elderberry juice and mix well. Another option is to substitute honey for maple syrup if giving to children under 1 as they should not have honey, or use Monk Fruit sugar for sugar-free.
- Transfer the elderberry syrup into a 32 ounce mason jar with a lid and store it in the refrigerator. Serve 1 tablespoon 4 times a day.
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