If you've ever wanted to make your own syrup, this is the best elderberry syrup recipe! It comes together in under an hour, with just elderberries, water and honey. Keep reading to learn how to make this homemade thick elderberry syrup recipe!
I started making elderberry syrup when my oldest son was a baby, and he's fourteen now! Some might say it was poor planning that my husband and I had our first two babies during both deer hunting season and flu season, but now it makes birthdays extra fun!
Anyways, being a nervous new mama, I was constantly watching for a sore throat, runny nose or flu symptoms and silently mentally screening everyone who came by to visit. Now I can look back and smile, but at the time it was super stressful.
Fortunately, I've loosened up a lot since then. Like, so much. One thing that hasn't changed is my focus on eating foods that have health benefits that go beyond just tasting delicious. If my elderberry syrup tastes really good, and is a natural remedy for things I'm trying to avoid? Yes, please! Easy choice!
Raw garlic, fresh ginger, onion, dried lemon balm, ground turmeric, citrus fruits... there are so many foods that we normally eat that can be used in homemade recipes for a delicious syrup, tea, tincture or fire cider. Nature has given us some pretty cool tools for our arsenal, hasn't it?
Why this recipe works
Raw elderberries are packed with antioxidants, vitamins (specifically vitamin C) and may boost your immune system. Elderberry also has anti-inflammatory properties! Some experts even recommend elderberry to prevent and lessen the severity of cold and flu symptoms (source). Another study showed that elderberry taken at the onset of symptoms shortened the duration of the flu by 4 days (source)!
The benefits of elderberry syrup are good news for us mamas who are looking for an inexpensive away to naturally support our families during the winter months!
While there are many natural remedies out there, I tend to reach for the simplest and bonus points if it's an easy recipe! A small batch of elderberry syrup is my first line of defense before turning to my last resort of conventional medicine. If this is your first time making herbal remedies instead of buying them at the health food stores, you can do this! I promise. Now is the perfect time to learn!
I've also included some of my favorite elderberry recipes a little further down in this post! Use the jump-to tool to skip right to them!
Jump to:
- Why this recipe works
- Ingredients
- How to make your own elderberry syrup
- Recipe
- HOW TO STORE ELDERBERRY SYRUP
- How to thicken elderberry syrup with arrowroot powder
- how to store elderberry syrup
- How to thicken elderberry syrup with arrowroot powder
- How to store elderberry syrup
- Helpful tools
- Meg's favorite elderberry cocktails recipes
- The Austin's best elderberry pancake syrup recipe
- FAQ
- More tasty recipes!
- Comments
Ingredients
- organic dried black elderberries (sambucus nigra)
- water
- local raw honey
- Optional add-ins: lemon juice, fresh berries, cinnamon stick, maple syrup, whole cloves, star anise, ginger.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to make your own elderberry syrup
1. Pour the dried elderberries and cold water to a medium saucepan.
2. Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes or even up to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
3. Once it is reduced, remove it from the heat and let it cool enough to be handled. Strain the liquid into a medium bowl using a sieve and mash the berries carefully to remove any extra juices.
4. Instead of discarding the elderberries, repeat the process once more to get every last drop of juice! You won't need it for this recipe, but it's nice to have on hand!
5. Once the liquid is room temperature, add 1 cup of honey and stir well. If you are wanting an extra thick syrup, you can double the amount of honey. See the hint below!
6. Pour the syrup into a mason jar or 16 ounce flip-top glass bottle. Keep it in the refrigerator and serve 1 tablespoon as needed.
Hint: If you want a thicker syrup, use 2 cups of honey. It won't change the properties of the elderberry syrup, but it will dilute it. Instead of the serving size being one tablespoon, I'd double it (use your discretion). To make it even thicker, see my arrowroot tip below.
If you make this recipe, please leave a comment below! This provides helpful feedback to both me and other readers. For more delicious recipes from scratch and homesteading tips, follow me on instagram @NinnescahHomestead
Recipe
Thick Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Equipment
- sauce pan
- strainer or sieve
- bottle
Ingredients
- ⅔ cup dried elderberries organic
- 3 cups water
- 1 cup honey local and raw
Instructions
- Pour the dried elderberries and cold water to a medium saucepan.
- Bring it to a boil and then reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes or even up to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.
- Once it is reduced, remove it from the heat and let it cool enough to be handled. Strain the liquid using a sieve and mash the berries carefully to remove any extra juices.
- Instead of discarding the elderberries, repeat the process once more to get every last drop of juice! You won't need it for this recipe, but it's nice to have on hand!
- Once the liquid is room temperature, add 1 cup of honey and stir well. If you are wanting an extra thick syrup, you can double the amount of honey. See the hint below!
- Pour the syrup into a mason jar or 16 ounce flip-top glass bottle. Keep it in the refrigerator and serve 1 tablespoon as needed.
Notes
HOW TO STORE ELDERBERRY SYRUP
Elderberry syrup contains a large amount of honey, which gives it an extra long shelf life when stored in the refrigerator! I've actually drank refrigerated elderberry syrup that was more than a year old (and it tasted great!), although most people recommend consuming it within 2-3 months.How to thicken elderberry syrup with arrowroot powder
Prepare the recipe as written above for steps 1 and 2, but we are going to do a little change with step 3. So to recap, the elderberries have simmered, cooled slightly and been strained. Return the elderberry juice to the saucepan. Heat on medium heat until it begins to simmer. In a separate jar, add the additional one cup of water and ¼ cup arrowroot powder. Make a slurry by whisking the mixture until no lumps are visible. Add the arrowroot slurry to the simmering elderberry juice. Heat for several minutes while whisking continuously. Within a few minutes, the mixture will begin to thicken. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Add the honey and mix well.how to store elderberry syrup
Elderberry syrup contains a large amount of honey, which gives it an extra long shelf life when stored in the refrigerator! I've actually drank refrigerated elderberry syrup that was more than a year old (and it tasted great!), although most people recommend consuming it within 2-3 months.Nutrition
How to thicken elderberry syrup with arrowroot powder
Prepare the recipe as written above for steps 1 and 2, but we are going to do a little change with step 3. So to recap, the elderberries have simmered, cooled slightly and been strained.
Return the elderberry juice to the saucepan. Heat on medium heat until it begins to simmer. In a separate jar, add the additional one cup of water and ¼ cup arrowroot powder. Make a slurry by whisking the mixture until no lumps are visible. Add the arrowroot slurry to the simmering elderberry juice.
Heat for several minutes while whisking continuously. Within a few minutes, the mixture will begin to thicken. Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool to room temperature. Add the honey and mix well.
How to store elderberry syrup
Elderberry syrup contains a large amount of honey, which gives it an extra long shelf life when stored in the refrigerator! I've actually drank refrigerated elderberry syrup that was more than a year old (and it tasted great!), although most people recommend consuming it within 2-3 months.
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Helpful tools
The most basic tools you will need for this homemade elderberry syrup recipe are a saucepan, fine mesh sieve, and a jar to store the syrup.
I'm going to link my favorites below, but you don't have to buy anything extra for this recipe. A mason jar and a cheesecloth will work just as well as a fancy bottle and fine sieve.
Meg's favorite elderberry cocktails recipes
Elderberry simple syrup is so much better than store-bought syrups! Here are three of my favorite elderberry cocktail recipes. Well, two plus a mocktail if we are being picky! And I also have a whole bunch of happy hour recipes you might like browsing for more inspiration!
1. Elderberry Mule: Mix elderberry syrup with vodka and ginger beer. Squeeze in a lime, and you've got a refreshing elderberry twist on the classic Moscow Mule. If you're a mule lover, try my Peach Bourbon Mule!
2. Elderberry Spritzer: Combine elderberry syrup with sparkling water. Add a splash of lemon juice and a mint sprig for a zesty, non-alcoholic sip. Another spritzer option that has booze is my Texas Ranch Water and it is sooo refreshing!
3. Elderberry Sangria: In a pitcher, blend elderberry syrup, red wine, sliced oranges, apples, and a touch of brandy. Let it chill and serve a fruity, adult-friendly delight.
The Austin's best elderberry pancake syrup recipe
My kids insisted that I include this easy recipe! It's actually not a recipe at all, really more of a serving suggestion. Instead of using straight maple syrup, mix elderberry syrup and maple syrup in a 1:1 ratio. Drizzle it over your sourdough pancakes, sheet pan pancakes or gluten-free pancakes and enjoy! It's also delicious drizzled over homemade yogurt!
FAQ
You can freeze elderberry syrup. Just make a batch and pour it into ice cube trays. Pop 'em out when you need a boost, easy peasy. Keeps that natural goodness intact. The cubes make it really easy to get the correct serving size quickly, and can also be a tasty addition to a carbonated water to make a kid-friendly "pop."
Yes! Canning elderberry juice is easy! My recipe comes from the cookbook, Complete Book of Home Preserving by Ball Canning. You will need 3 - 31/2 cups of elderberries (fresh or dried) for each cup of juice.
Prepare the canner, jars and lids. In a large stainless steel sauce pan, add 3 cups of elderberry juice, 4 tablespoons of lemon juice and one package of pectin. Bring it to a boil over hight heat and stir in 4 ½ cups of sugar all at once. Boil hard, stirring constantly, for one minute. Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
Quickly pour the hot jelly into hot jars, leaving ¼ inch head space. Wipe the rim and add the lid and ring. Place jars in canner and cover completely with water. Bring to a boil and process for ten minutes.
If you are avoiding honey, but still want elderberry syrup, you can substitute maple syrup or agave for the honey. It can also be drank in a tea, such as this easy elderberry tea recipe: add 1 tablespoon of elderberry juice to a mug of hot water. Stir in one teaspoon of honey, if you want.
How long does black elderberry syrup last? Well, due to it's high sugar content from the honey, it lasts a generous 2-3 months (or longer!).
The best way to eat an elderberry is by making a juice, tea, syrup or tincture. Raw elderberries are not safe to eat.They contain a compound that can make you sick, so it's always important to cook them first. Safety first!
The a simple fresh elderberry syrup recipe is the exact same! Just substitute fresh elderberries for dried. And between you and me, it also tastes really good over vanilla ice cream or greek yogurt!
Elderberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamin C, making them a natural immune system booster. They've been used for centuries to fight colds and flu. A study in the Journal of International Medical Research found that elderberry extract can reduce the duration and severity of these illnesses. Plus, they're known for their anti-inflammatory properties, which can help with various ailments. So, adding elderberries to your natural wellness arsenal is a smart move! (source).
To check if your elderberry syrup has gone bad, look for signs like mold, off smells, or unusual discoloration. If you see any of these, it's time to make a fresh batch. Keep it clean and simple, and it'll be good to go.
More tasty recipes!
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
Jocey
Elderberry syrup is one of those things that I try to give the whole family everyday during the winter months, but nobody likes it plain. We started mixing it with homemade grape juice and no one can tell the difference!
Meg
That's a really great tip! I'v'e heard so many good things about using grape juice for stomach bugs, too. Sounds like a power house duo to me!
- Meg