The Best Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
What You’ll Love About This Recipe
Making your own elderberry syrup is easier than you think, and the benefits are worth every minute. You’ll love how it’s packed with immune-boosting ingredients, easy to customize with your favorite flavors, and stays fresh for weeks when stored properly. Plus, it’s a fun way to take control of what goes into your wellness routine!
Recipe
Elderberry syrup is a natural remedy known for its immune-boosting properties. This easy-to-make syrup can be consumed daily during cold and flu season or whenever you feel under the weather.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 4 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
- 2-3 cloves (optional)
- 1-inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced (optional)
- 1 cup raw honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
Instructions:
- In a medium saucepan, combine elderberries, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and ginger.
- Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for 30-40 minutes until the liquid is reduced by about half.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a bowl or jar, pressing the berries to extract all the liquid.
- Discard the solids and allow the liquid to cool to room temperature.
- Stir in the honey or maple syrup until fully dissolved.
- Transfer the syrup to a sterilized glass jar or bottle and store in the refrigerator.
Notes:
- The syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
- For adults, take 1 tablespoon daily as a preventive measure or every 2-3 hours when sick. For children, consult a healthcare provider for dosage.
Equipment:
- Medium saucepan
- Fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth
- Glass jar or bottle for storage
Time:
Prep time: 5 minutes
Cooking time: 40 minutes
Cuisine:
Natural remedy
Serving:
Makes approximately 2 cups of syrup.
Nutrition
Elderberry syrup is packed with vitamins and antioxidants. Here’s the nutritional breakdown per serving (1 tablespoon):
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Calories | 30 |
| Carbohydrates | 7g |
| Fiber | 1g |
| Vitamin C | 6mg |
| Iron | 0.5mg |
What To Serve With It
I love drizzling my homemade elderberry syrup over breakfast delights like pancakes or yogurt—it adds a sweet, tangy kick that wakes up my taste buds. For dessert pairings, I can’t resist pouring it over vanilla ice cream or mixing it into a warm fruit crumble. Trust me, once you try these combos, you’ll want to put it on everything!
Breakfast Delights
When I’m whipping up a batch of homemade elderberry syrup, I love pairing it with breakfast favorites that make the morning feel extra special. For gluten-free options, I drizzle it over fluffy almond flour pancakes or stir it into chia pudding—it’s a hit with my family breakfasts. My kids adore it swirled into yogurt with granola, while I love it on warm oatmeal topped with nuts. Even a simple slice of toasted gluten-free bread with a smear of almond butter and a spoonful of syrup feels like a treat. It’s an easy way to start the day sweetly.
Dessert Pairings
Though it’s often associated with breakfast, elderberry syrup can work wonders in desserts, adding a burst of fruity flavor that’s hard to resist. I love drizzling it over elderberry tarts, where its tangy sweetness complements the buttery crust perfectly. It’s also a dream when swirled into elderberry sorbet, creating a revitalizing treat that’s both tart and smooth. For something simple, I’ll spoon it over vanilla ice cream or yogurt for a quick, delicious upgrade. Trust me, once you start experimenting, you’ll find endless ways to make desserts shine with this versatile syrup. It’s a game-changer!
