Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Elderberry syrup can do amazing things for your immune system! Keep reading to learn all about the amazing benefits of elderberry syrup and to discover my go-to homemade elderberry syrup recipe.

Consuming homemade elderberry syrup daily during the winter months is one way my family and I stay healthy and cold-free.

Elderberry syrup is not very difficult or expensive to make and has many different health benefits.

Elderberries are rich in antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, which contribute to their medicinal properties. Making elderberry syrup at home allows for control over ingredients, ensuring a pure and additive-free product.

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What is Elderberry Syrup?

Elderberry syrup is made from the elderberry plant. Elderberries are loaded with vitamin C and other antioxidants.

Elderberry is an extremely powerful and healing herb with many medicinal properties.

Consuming elderberry syrup is an easy way to enjoy all the health benefits of elderberries.

Health Benefits of Elderberry Syrup

As I mentioned above, elderberry syrup has many different health benefits, but the main reason my family and I consume it is to support the immune system.

Elderberry syrup can help boost your immune system and help it fight against bacterial and viral infections.

Check out this study and this study to learn more about elderberry’s ability to prevent and fight against the cold and flu.

Aside from its immune system benefits, elderberry syrup can also relieve constipation and may lower insulin resistance. Read this study to learn more!

You can click here to learn more about the health benefits of elderberry syrup.

How to Make Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Making homemade elderberry syrup is really easy. Before you get started, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients.

You’ll need:

• Filtered water
• Dried elderberries
• Honey
• Ground cinnamon or cinnamon sticks
• Ground clove or whole cloves
• Fresh ginger or dried ginger root

The spices are completely optional, but I definitely recommend adding them whenever possible. They each have different medicinal properties and add a lot of flavor to the elderberry syrup.

You will also need a large pot to cook the elderberry syrup in, a mesh strainer, and a jar to store your homemade elderberry syrup.

Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe

To make homemade elderberry syrup, simply combine the ingredients below in a large pot and bring to a boil.

• 4 cups of filtered water
• 2 cups of dried elderberries
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves or 2 whole cloves
• 1 tablespoon of freshly grated ginger or 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger root

Once everything is boiling, reduce the heat. Allow it to simmer for 35-45 minutes. Only allow the liquid to reduce to about half. Don’t allow it to reduce any more than that.

Remove from the heat and let it sit and cool for about an hour.

Strain the mixture into a large bowl using a mesh strainer. Using the back of a wooden spoon, push down the mixture and squeeze out as much liquid as possible.

Let the mixture cool down to room temperature if it is still hot.

Once thoroughly cooled, add the honey at a 2:1 ratio. So, for every 2 cups of elderberry decoction, add 1 cup of honey.

The recipe above should yield around 2 cups of elderberry decoction, so after you add 1 cup of honey, you’ll have about 3 cups of elderberry syrup.

Mix well, then pour the mixture into a glass jar with an airtight lid and store it in the refrigerator.

How To Take Elderberry Syrup

I personally consume one tablespoon a day of elderberry syrup. Sometimes more if I’m feeling a little under the weather.

But I’m not a doctor, so you should ask your healthcare provider how much elderberry syrup you should take.

Is Homemade Elderberry Syrup Safe?

Homemade elderberry syrup is safe to consume when it has been appropriately prepared.

Elderberry seeds, stems, leaves, and roots can be toxic when eaten raw. Consuming raw elderberries can cause vomiting, nausea, and diarrhea.

Cooking elderberries deactivates the toxins, so as long as they are cooked correctly, there is no need to worry.

But please keep in mind that most homemade elderberry syrup does include raw honey, and raw honey is not safe for children under one year of age to consume.

Is Homemade Elderberry Syrup Better Than Store-Bought?

In my personal opinion, homemade elderberry syrup is better than store-bought. This is mainly because you have complete control over the ingredients.

Many store-bought elderberry syrups contain artificial preservatives. Some also contain synthetic vitamins and minerals such as zinc and ascorbic acid.

I am not a fan of isolated synthetic vitamins. They can create massive mineral dysregulation in the body. You can read this post to learn more.

There are some store-bought elderberry brands that don’t add a bunch of extra junk, but they tend to cost a lot more.

I prefer homemade elderberry syrup because I know exactly what’s in it, and it costs less than most store-bought elderberry syrup.

How to Store Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry syrup can be stored in an airtight glass jar in the refrigerator for 2-3 months.

Can You Freeze Homemade Elderberry Syrup?

You can freeze homemade elderberry syrup. Homemade elderberry syrup will stay good for up to 6 months in the freezer.

Be sure to allow the elderberry syrup to cool fully before storing it in the freezer.

My favorite way to freeze elderberry syrup is using silicone ice trays. Simply fill the silicone ice tray, place it on a baking sheet, and stick it in the freezer.

Once they are completely frozen, you can remove them from the tray and place them in a freezer bag.

When you are ready to consume the elderberry syrup you can place the frozen pieces in a bowl or jar overnight in the refrigerator to thaw.

How to Preserve Homemade Elderberry Syrup?

My favorite way to preserve homemade elderberry syrup is in the refrigerator or freezer. If you would prefer to make a shelf-stable elderberry syrup, you can try pressure canning.

I personally have never tried canning elderberry syrup. You can read this article to learn more about it and how to do it.

You can also add alcohol to homemade elderberry syrup to make it shelf-stable. But keep in mind you’ll need to add a lot of alcohol.

You’ll need to add an 80-proof vodka at a 1:1 ratio.

How Long Does Homemade Elderberry Syrup Last?

Homemade elderberry syrup can last up to 2-3 months when stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator and up to 6 months when stored in the freezer.

Final Thoughts

Homemade elderberry syrup can be a cost-effective and natural addition to a health-conscious lifestyle when made and used correctly.

I hope you found this post helpful, and I hope this elderberry syrup keeps you and your family well during the cold and flu season.

If you’re looking for other ways to boost your immune system, be sure to check out the posts below!

• The Best Natural Cold & Flu Remedy: The Flu Bomb
• How To Not Get Sick This Cold & Flu Season
• 10 Immune Boosting Smoothies That Will Keep You Healthy All Year Long
• 10 Immune Boosting Essential Oils + Free Diffuser Blends Printable

If you have any other questions please let me know in the comment section below!

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