Easier Than Pie! Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Health and Body

Easier Than Pie! Homemade Elderberry Syrup

by ashley

I have come to love this home remedy and have been making my own for several years now. This is one of the things I make and have on hand during cold and flu season. Surely you can buy over-the-counter elderberry syrup in most pharmacies, but I assure you the taste, texture and ingredients will not be as pleasant as homemade. You can also go and buy locally made elderberry syrup, but you will end up spending almost triple the amount it would cost you to make your own in the long run. Maybe you’re not confident that you can even make your own but mom, you are capable! Whatever doubts you have will be washed away once you realize the full benefits of making your own and just how simple it really is.

Beneficial Berries

Elderberry Syrup might at first seem like a trendy thing to some and, although it may be a trend, it’s one worth pursuing. These little berries are so beneficial for immune health and fighting cold and flu. Elderberries are packed with flavonoids and triterpenes which are the chemical compounds within in this tiny fruit that really give them their anti-inflammatory, antiviral, and immune stimulating properties.

Symptoms like coughs, fevers, sinus infections will surrender at elder’s healing touch. Elderberries not only prevents infection but it also treats the infection after it’s taken hold. Taking elderberry syrup as a preventative or a treatment will show a reduction in symptoms and a duration of infection.

You might just find yourself calling it liquid gold like I do! You will quickly see firsthand the difference in the health of your home and just how precious this liquid you cooked up is.

How to Make Elderberry Syrup

I am going to walk you through the simple base recipe I use. I’ll also give you some different ways you can modify it to add more beneficial love to it and to create a taste your family will be happy to consume.

SUPPLIES

  • medium or large saucepan (depending on how many batches you will make)
  • long-handled spoon
  • fine mesh strainer
  • lidded jars, containers, or Ziploc bags for completed syrup

INGREDIENTS

  • 3 1/2 cups water
  • 2/3 cup dried elderberries OR 1 1/3 cup fresh (stems removed) or frozen
  • 2 tbsp ginger (grated or jarred minced)
  • 1-2 tsp cinnamon or 1-3 sticks (depending on your taste)
  • 1/2 tsp ground cloves or whole cloves
  • 1/2-1 cup raw local honey (depending on how sweet you’d like it)

ADD-ON INGREDIENTS (OPTIONAL)

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Pour the water into a medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and any additional ingredients.
  2. Bring to a boil then reduce to a simmer for about 1 hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half
  3. Remove from heat and let cool until lukewarm
  4. Carefully mash the berries using a spoon or other flat utensil
  5. Pour through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a glass jar or bowl. Discard the elderberries and other solid ingredients.
  6. When the liquid is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.
  7. When the honey is blended well into thee mixture, pour the syrup into a mason jar or 16 oz glass bottle
  8. TA-DA! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge up to 2 weeks and take daily for to boost your immune system.

It also freezes well! I typically make a quadruple batch each time I make elderberry syrup. I store one glass bottle in my fridge and measure out enough to fill a jar into quart size Ziploc bags, and then freeze flat. Then, I just defrost when needed and pour into my refrigerated jar to use.

How To Take It

Standard dose is 1/2-1 tsp for kids (do not give to kiddos under 1 year old because the recipe contains honey) and 1 tbsp for adults. If the flu strikes, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear. We use stainless steel shot glasses to take our doses.

Elderberry Gummies!

Once you have made your syrup you can easily turn that liquid gold into gummies if you feel that would be easier for your kids to take.

INGREDIENTS & SUPPLIES

  • 1 tbsp coconut oil
  • 1 cup elderberry syrup
  • 1/4 cup gelatin powder
  • 1/2 cup hot water but not boiling
  • silicone molds and dropper

INSTRUCTIONS

  1. Grease molds with coconut oil to prevent sticking
  2. Place 1/4 cup of cooled elderberry syrup in a 2 cup measuring cup and quickly whisk in the gelatin powder.
  3. Add the 1/2 cup of hot (not boiling) water and stir quickly until smooth.
  4. Add the rest of the elderberry syrup and stir or whisk until completely smooth
  5. Pour (using a syringe works well) into molds and refrigerate for 2 hours or until completely firm.
  6. Pop out of molds and store in airtight container with parchment paper between layers ( I didn’t find this totally necessary). Store in fridge up to 2 weeks.

Take daily as needed to avoid flu. If the flu strikes, take every few hours to beat the flu faster.

Shopping List

Here is a simplified list of all of the ingredients mentioned in this post. You can find most everything on Amazon!

AS AN AMAZON ASSOCIATE I EARN FROM QUALIFYING PURCHASES

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