Elderberry Syrup Recipe – Simple Natural Immune Booster
This homemade elderberry syrup recipe is easy to make, giving you an all-natural way to boost your immune system to help the body fight cold and flu symptoms. Lightly sweetened with raw honey or for a sugar free alternative this can be sweetened with monk fruit.
Love making your own syrups? Be sure to try this homemade Vanilla Syrup Recipe too.
Table of Contents
WHY YOU SHOULD MAKE THIS ELDERBERRY SYRUP RECIPE
Not only is is a festive time of year to gather around the table and enjoy time with family and friends. This is also the time of year that we battle the cold and flu season. Although flu shots are recommended each year, I have found that sometimes they work and other times it doesn’t.
- Natural ingredients. No preservatives, fillers or corn syrup are in this homemade elderberry syrup recipe.
- Making you own syrup is economical. A large batch will cost you a faction of what retailers charge.
- You can adjust the sweetener to your preference. My family likes the raw honey, but I like using monk fruit for myself.
- A variety of spices can be added. Love cinnamon? Add more or if you would like add a little allspice to perk up the flavors. The options are endless.
WHAT ARE ELDERBERRIES?
Elderberries are the dark purple fruit of the flowering plant that produce rich antioxidant properties that can help boost nutrients in our bodies.
In their natural state (don’t eat raw), the berries taste tart and bitter, but cooked with a little sweetener it’s quite delicious!
There are a variety of elderberry bushes, but most common are the the European Elder (Sambucus) and the the American Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).
Both varieties have been used for centuries as a medicinal wine, tea, syrups and jams.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF ELDERBERRIES?
Elderberries provide the following nutrients:
Based on 1 cup you’ll see that elderberries are loaded with Vitamin C.
- Vitamin C: 87% Recommended Dietary Allowance
- Vitamin A: 17% RDA – good to improve our skin
- Vitamin B6:Â 17% RDA – supports liver function and metabolism
- Iron: 13% RDA – supports vital functions, including boosting immune
- Potassium: 12% RDA – essential for brain function, benefits the nervous system
Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Purchasing the syrup can be pricy. Online I bought a small 1 ounce dropper of elderberry syrup when I was feeling under the weather, and that set me back $15.
That’s when I decided to make my own syrup, which is much more economical than purchasing it from a store.
WHERE TO BY ELDERBERRIES
I bought organic dried elderberries from Monterey Spice Company, but you can also find them through Amazon.
A whole pound cost under $20 and you only need about 1/4 – 1/3 cup to make two cups of syrup. Talk about an economical immune booster!
HOW TO MAKE ELDERBERRY SYRUP
Homemade elderberry syrup is easy to make at home. With a couple of tools and ingredients you can have a batch whipped up in no time.
STEP 1: SOAK ELDERBERRIES
- Add berries to 4 cups of distilled or filtered water in a small sauce pan, and let soak for thirty minutes
STEP 2: ADD SPICES
- Add additional spices; cinnamon, ginger, cloves, and cardamon.
STEP 3: SIMMER
- Simmer for several hours or until the syrup is reduced to 2 cups
STEP 4: STRAIN
- Remove from heat and strain the elderberries from the syrup.
STEP 5: ADD SWEETENER
- Add raw honey (to taste) or sugar free alternative, then cool before putting in airtight jars.
HOW MUCH ELDERBERRY SYRUP SHOULD YOU TAKE DAILY?
Please check with your physician for individual circumstance and dosage, but generally, these guidelines from the Franklin Institute of Wellness are safe to follow:
- Adults take 1 tablespoon daily.
- Children take 1 teaspoon daily (NOT recommended for children under 2)
Feeling under the weather?
- Adults take 1 tablespoon every 3-4 hours
- Children take 1 teaspoon every 3-4 hours
- NOT recommended to exceed 6 dosage. Elderberries are also a mild diuretic, which may cause side effects.
Be well friends!
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Here are some more questions that are frequently asked when making this elderberry syrup recipe.
Homemade elderberry syrup will last in the refrigerator for up to 60 days. Store purchased elderberry syrup is usually made with preservatives and will not require refrigeration.
Yes! The best tasting elderberry syrup can be frozen for up to 6 months. Freeze in an ice cube tray, then pop in a freezer bag for an easy way to use and store the syrup.
If you take too much elderberry syrup you may get a stomach issues including diarrhea.
MORE SYRUP RECIPES TO TRY
If you love making your own syrups, then be sure to give these recipes a try too.
- Homemade Grenedine Syrup
- Fresh Raspberry Syrup – perfect for a variety of drinks like Italian Soda.
- Lavender Syrup Recipe
- Strawberry Simple Syrup
Elderberry Syrup Recipe – Natural Immune Booster
Ingredients
- 4 cups distilled or filtered water
- 1/4 cup dried elderberries with twigs removed
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 6 cardamon pods
- 1/4 inch knob of fresh ginger diced
- 1/4 – 1/2 cup raw honey OR sweetener alternative for sugar free syrup
Instructions
- Add water to a small sauce pan and place elderberries in the pan to soak for 15-30 minutes. Add cloves, cinnamon, cardamon and ginger. Bring to a soft boil and reduce heat to simmer.
- Simmer for a minimum of 45 minutes or until liquid is reduced to half (2 cups). With a potato masher squish berries removing as much juice as possible.
- Place a strainer over a clean bowl and pour syrup catching berries and spices. Throw away berries and spices.
- Place syrup back in the pan and add honey (or sugar alternative). Stir and let cool at room temperature. Place in glass jars and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Please note that the nutritional information provided are guidelines and may vary based on the brand of products used. For your specific nutritional goals use My Fitness Pal or Verywell Fit recipe calculators. All content within this site is not intended as medical diagnosis or treatment and should not be considered a substitute for professional medical expertise.
I love having syrups and liqueurs to add to my cocktails and desserts! I just bought some elderberries to make some liqueur so I am totally prepared! This way I can make a syrup and a cocktail additive!
I haven’t tried this – but I SO want to! I’ve heard wonderful things, and yours looks super easy to make!
You can bet I am saving this post to my pinterest board to make sure I can find it if I need it this winter! I had no idea the health benefits of Elderberry!
I will definitely be giving this a try soon! This will be great to have on hand for when I get sick this winter!
I need to make this as soon as possible! We’ve having all the colds this season. Seems one of us is always sick. Thank you for this recipe!
I am fascinated by foods and how they can effect your health… I need to try this one … 🙂
I’ve heard amazing things bout elderberry, and now I must try! This syrup is perfect for cold season!
I love this. I’m all about new syrups and how to make them. Can’t wait to try this recipe!