Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup has many applications. It is often used as a cough and cold remedy due to its high amount of antioxidants and minerals. If you are more of a 5 o’clock person you may think of adding it to a favorite cocktail. Either way, this is a good thing to have in your refrigerator!
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup dried black elderberries, or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen
- 3½ cups water
- 2 TBSP fresh or dried ginger root
- 1 tsp cinnamon powder
- ½ tsp cloves or clove powder
- 1 cup raw honey
Directions
- Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.
- Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
- Remove from heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled.
- Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.
- Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
- Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
- When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.
- When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a quart sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle of some kind.
- Ta-da! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties. Some sources recommend taking only during the week and not on the weekends to boost immunity.