DIY Elderberry Syrup for extra immune support this time of year or anytime you need a boost. Elderberries are extremely helpful for combating viruses, bacteria, and respiratory symptoms. I actually didn’t know just how beneficial elderberries were until I went down a rabbit hole of reading about them. I’m going to be extra faithful now. Ha.
I go in and out of taking some type of elderberry something every winter, but after making a few different batches of elderberry syrup and a whole lot of delicious taste testing, this elderberry syrup is now going to be my go-to. It’s just so good! Plus, it’s extremely cost effective to make your own. I made two versions, a thicker (not super thick) and a thinner one. It just depends on how potent you want it and how much you want to stretch out a cup of elderberries. They are both plenty sweet and delicious, but the thicker one is of course sweeter.
More Elderberry Options
I might be DIY with a good amount in the kitchen, but this is one I’ve never made until now. Truthfully, it’s just been easier to buy elderberry syrup. I finally gave it a go though and I think I am hooked. It’s time consuming, but it’s mostly hands off, so it’s easy. For the DIYers, proceed for the recipe. For those that just prefer to buy their elderberry – checkout Global Healing’s Elderberry & Echinacea and Rowe Casa Organic’s Elderberry. Rowe Casa’s ingredients inspired my elderberry syrup recipe as I love their elderberry! It’s very similar to my thinner version with more water.
Just some of the benefits of elderberries.
Elderberries are one of the most effective remedies for viral and bacterial infections such as colds and flu and can substantially shorten the duration of your illness if you get sick. They also are very beneficial for bronchial and respiratory problems and can help loosen and expel congestion in the lungs. Elderberry juice is known to relieve neurological spasms and tics in the face and body as well as alleviate pain of neurological conditions such as sciatica.
Medical Medium
DIY Elderberry Syrup – 2 Versions
I take 1-2 TBSP each day.
Thinner Version: Makes about 4 cups – 32 oz.
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic dried elderberries – the linked bag has just short of 5 cups, so about 5 batches
- 6 cups water
- 1.5 tsp organic ginger powder
- 1.5 tsp ceylon cinnamon powder – this bag is a great deal if you use cinnamon a lot
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 tsp ground clove
- 3/4 cup raw honey
- 1/4 lemon, juiced
Method
- Add the elderberries, water, ginger, cinnamon, and clove powder to a large pot. Cover and bring to a boil. Cook slightly over medium heat for 45 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, uncover, and let the mixture sit for 1 hour until it’s room temperature.
- Strain the syrup with a fine mesh strainer over a Pyrex measuring cup or glass bowl. Press down on the berries to strain out the excess liquid.
- Stir in the raw honey and lemon juice. Taste and see if you want to add any water here. I add in one more cup of filtered water to stretch it out a bit more. It tastes extra good after being in the fridge too.
- Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator and use within 2 months.
Thicker Version: Makes about 1 3/4 cups.
Ingredients
- 1 cup organic dried elderberries
- 4 cups water
- 1 tsp ginger powder
- 1 tsp ceylon cinnamon, ceylon is more mild than regular cinnamon – use 1/2 if not using ceylon
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/4 tsp ground clove
- 3/4 cup honey – If you want it extra thick, use one cup of honey. 3/4 is just plenty sweet for me.
- squeeze of lemon, this also acts as a natural preservative
Method
- Add the elderberries, water, ginger, cinnamon, and clove powder to a medium saucepan. (I made the mistake of using a large pot first and it did not work with this amount.) Cook this version uncovered. Cook over medium-high heat for 45 minutes. The mixture will cook down and thicken a bit.
- Remove from the heat and let the mixture sit for 1 hour until it’s room temperature.
- Strain the syrup with a fine mesh strainer over a Pyrex measuring cup or glass bowl. Press down on the berries to strain out the excess liquid.
- Stir in the raw honey and lemon juice.
- Store in a glass jar in the refrigerator and use within 2 months.
How To Extend and Reuse your cooked elderberries to make elderberry tea.
Add the 1 cup of cooked berries to a large pot with 64 oz of water. Bring to a boil. Once boiling, remove from the heat and let sit for 15 minutes. Strain the warm mixture through a strainer and pour into a large 64 oz mason jar or two 32 oz jars. Stir in honey to taste. Squeeze in a bit of lemon if desired. Drink warm or store in the fridge and drink cold.
It feels good to care for our bodies! I hope you enjoy the syrup as much as I do. Xx Riane
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Thank you so much for joining me here! I’d love for you to stick around! Xx Riane @herhealthystyle
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