Boost your immune system with a spoonful of this homemade elderberry syrup recipe. Made with dried elderberries, warm spices, raw honey and vitamin C-rich orange zest. Delicious and powerful!
Come fall and winter, when sickness is most prevalent, I try to give my family the support their bodies need to stay well and fight off any viruses that may come their way. Whole foods, fresh veggies and fruits, bread made with fresh milled flour, foods rich in vitamin C, fermented foods and collagen-rich bone broth is just a part of the wellness plan.
Herbs also play a big role on the homestead. Elderberries are a key item I like to keep in our medicine cabinet. We primarily use it to support the immune system. One great way to get those dried berries into our bodies is to make elderberry syrup. It is easy, simple and delicious.
Follow along below to learn how to make this elderberry syrup recipe as well as how to use it, where to obtain berries and much more.
Health Benefits of Elderberry
- Superb for colds and flus
- Good for fevers
- Boosts immune system
- Antiviral
- Helps improve seasonal allergies
- Contains antibiotic properties
- May shorten the length of a cold
How to Use Elderberry Syrup
The most common way to use elderberry syrup is by directly taking a spoonful of it as a daily immune booster. You can also mix it into other foods, especially to get small kids to consume it. These foods include mixing it into a fruit smoothie or bowl of yogurt, adding a bit of it into some sparkling water or cup of warm tea.
I have never tried this personally but others suggest stirring it into oatmeal or drizzling it over waffles and pancakes.
We love to use it to make fermented elderberry soda. It is delicious and packed full of probiotics.
Ingredients
Water – I like to use filtered water from our Berkey.
Dried elderberries – This elderberry syrup recipe calls for dried elderberries. I find they are the most convenient to use. Check out the frequently asked questions section below for sources to buy dried elderberries and tips for using fresh elderberry, should you choose to do so.
Ginger – not only does ginger add flavor to the homemade elderberry syrup, it also has some medicinal properties.
Cinnamon – Adds warmth and flavor with some health benefits.
Cloves – primarily added for flavoring.
Orange zest – added for a delicious pop of orange flavor that children love as well as the rich content of vitamin C and antioxidants.
Raw honey – a powerful addition to this elderberry syrup with honey as it contains many vitamins, minerals, antioxidants and antimicrobial properties
Tools You May Need
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Stock pot
Bowl
Fine mesh strainer
Cheesecloth, optional
Storage container
Tips
- While honey is recommended in this recipe, you can also sweeten the syrup with sugar, agave, date syrup or leave unsweetened.
- There is a range of honey in this recipe, depending on your sweetness preference. We tend to prefer it less sweet so we use 1/2 cup.
- When zesting the orange, be sure to only zest the orange skin and not the white layer as it has a bitter taste.
- Do not add the raw honey while the syrup is still hot so that the heat does not destroy the raw honey beneficial properties.
- With the above being said, it is ideal to mix the honey in while the syrup is still warm to help it to dissolve.
- If taking the syrup directly isn’t your thing, try mixing it into smoothies, teas or popsicles.
- Use this syrup to make elderberry gummies!
How to Make Elderberry Syrup
Makes: 1 1/2 – 2 cups
Ingredients
3 1/2 cups water
2/3 cup dried elderberries
1 teaspoon ground ginger
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
Zest from one orange, about 1/2 tablespoon
1/2 – 3/4 cup raw honey
Directions
In a saucepan over medium heat add the water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 30-45 minutes until the liquid has reduced by at least half. You should have about 1 cup of syrup when finished.
Remove pan from heat. Crush berries to release any excess liquid.
Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Optionally you can line the strainer with a piece of cheesecloth. Pour liquid through strainer, pressing the berries as you go. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes prior to adding the honey.
Once cooled but still slightly warm, add raw honey and orange zest. Stir well until honey has been incorporated into the elderberry syrup.
Pour syrup into a jar. Store in the fridge and use as needed.
FAQ
Can I Substitute the Honey?
Yes, instead of honey you can sweeten the homemade elderberry syrup recipe with sugar, agave nectar, date syrup or just leave the sweetener out altogether. Do note that without the added raw honey, the dried elderberry syrup recipe will not last nearly as long. Honey helps to preserve the syrup.
How Much Elderberry Syrup Per Day?
There is no standard for the amount of elderberry syrup you should take. For a specific recommendation, talk to a qualified herbalist, naturopath or liked-minded healthcare provider.
For reference, in a randomized study, participants who took 15 milliliters of syrup, 4 times a day for 5 days saw relief of their flu symptoms 4 days sooner than those who were given the placebo. You can read about the scientific study here.
On our homestead, to boost our immune systems, the adults in the family take 1 teaspoon a day while the children take 1/2 teaspoon daily. When sick, we try to increase that amount.
Can I Make Elderberry Syrup With Fresh Elderberries?
Yes, to make a fresh elderberry syrup recipe, double the amount of elderberries (1 1/3 cup total).
How Long Does Homemade Elderberry Syrup Last?
Depending on the storage methods you use, and the sweetener you have chosen, homemade elderberry syrup can last anywhere between two weeks to a couple of months. Elderberry syrup made without any sugar, is more like an herbal tea so it will last only a couple of weeks in the fridge. Adding raw honey acts as a preservative and helps the syrup last for many months.
If you do not plan to use the entire jar of syrup, freeze portions in ice cube trays or small zipper baggies and thaw when needed.
Where is the Best Place to Order Elderberries?
My mom grows elderberry on their farm, however if the birds get to them first, there isn’t enough to get us through the winter months. My two favorite places to buy dried elderberries are from Azure Standard and the Homegrown Herbalist. Homegrown Herbalist also sells a DIY elderberry syrup kit that is easy to use
More Natural Remedy Recipes
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Boost your immune system with a spoonful of this homemade elderberry syrup recipe. Made with dried elderberries, warm spices, raw honey and vitamin C-rich orange zest. Delicious and powerful!
Ingredients
- 3 1/2 cups water
- 2/3 cup dried elderberries
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
- Zest from one orange, about 1/2 tablespoon
- 1/2 - 3/4 cup raw honey
Instructions
- In a saucepan over medium heat add the water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves. Bring to a boil. Cover with a lid and reduce heat to medium low. Simmer for 30-45 minutes until the liquid has reduced by at least half. You should have about 1 cup of syrup when finished.
- Remove pan from heat. Crush berries to release any excess liquid.
- Place a fine mesh strainer over a bowl. Optionally you can line the strainer with a piece of cheesecloth. Pour liquid through strainer, pressing the berries as you go. Allow to cool for 15-20 minutes prior to adding the honey.
- Once cooled but still slightly warm, add raw honey and orange zest. Stir well until honey has been incorporated into the elderberry syrup.
- Pour syrup into a jar. Store in the fridge and use as needed.
Notes
- While honey is recommended in this recipe, you can also sweeten the syrup with sugar, agave, date syrup or leave unsweetened.
- There is a range of honey in this recipe, depending on your sweetness preference. We tend to prefer it less sweet so we use 1/2 cup.
- When zesting the orange, be sure to only zest the orange skin and not the white layer as it has a bitter taste.
- Do not add the raw honey while the syrup is still hot so that the heat does not destroy the raw honey beneficial properties.
- With the above being said, it is ideal to mix the honey in while the syrup is still warm to help it to dissolve.
- If taking the syrup directly isn’t your thing, try mixing it into smoothies, teas or popsicles.
- Use this syrup to make elderberry gummies!
