Use this homemade Elderberry Syrup recipe to keep your family healthy all year round!
I started using elderberry syrup when my daughter Meghan was a toddler. Elderberries are rich with health benefits, including:
Health Benefits of Elderberries
- Boost the immune system
- Fight and protect against bacterial infections
- Fight and protect against viral infections
- Reduce the symptoms and duration of a cold or the flu
- helps clear sinus infections
- has natural diuretic effects and promotes bowel movements
- anti-inflammatory properties
- anti-carcinogenic properties
- eases symptoms of allergies
- high in antioxidants
- high in vitamin A, which makes it great for healthy skin
Clearly elderberry is a powerful plant! Through the years I’ve tried to be consistent in having our whole family take elderberry syrup, especially during the cold and flu season. The problem? Elderberry syrup is expensive!
I would much rather buy a product than have to make it. I’m a busy mama and adding one more thing to my plate can cause me to drop and break the whole plate. Nobody wants to see that.
However. When I discover I can make something for significantly cheaper at home and it’s really not that difficult, I make room on my plate. I might have to take something else off the plate, but I make room.
This homemade elderberry syrup recipe is really easy and worth the effort for the money saved. One of my lovely readers actually first shared the recipe she uses for homemade elderberry syrup with me last year when I was lamenting about the cost of buying the syrup.
Can I take a minute to tell you how much I love this community of readers? You guys are awesome and I love that we can help each other!
I use the basics of that recipe, but changed it slightly. I use dried cinnamon rather than a cinnamon stick and instead of using dried ginger and whole cloves, I use ginger and clove essential oils. I note in the recipe below that you can use either.
How to Make a Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
The first step will be to get yourself some dried elderberries, which I get on Amazon. (affiliate link) Oh, how I love my Amazon Prime membership. 2 days later and you’ll be ready to make some immune-boosting syrup!
The whole process is easy and can be done while doing other household chores. You start by simmering some dried elderberries with water and spices for about 45 minutes. That’s when you can be doing other things. No need to hover over the pot here.
Once the liquid is reduced by half, you drain the liquid. I use a fine mesh strainer which makes it super easy. (Mine are very similar to these and I use them for everything!)
Make sure you squeeze all the liquid out of the berries so you aren’t wasting any. The back of a wooden spoon should do the trick.
Make sure the liquid is cooled, and then you can add your raw honey. Raw honey sweetens the syrup so kids will take it easily, but also has its own medicinal benefits. Win-win!
Then you store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator and it will last for about two months. For adults, take 1 tablespoon daily and for children, 1 teaspoon daily. If you or your children are experiencing sickness or feel something coming on, that dose should be repeated four times daily.
Here’s a video to show you how easy it is to make homemade elderberry syrup at home!
Here’s to a healthy cold and flu season!
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Print
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
- Total Time: 50 mins
Description
This homemade elderberry syrup can be made in less than an hour and will keep your family healthy all year long. It’s the best natural immune booster you can use.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup dried elderberries
- 3 cups water
- 1 teaspoon dried cinnamon or 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon dried cloves or 4 whole cloves or 1 drop clove essential oil
- 1 tablespoon fresh ginger or 1 teaspoon dried ginger or 1 drop ginger essential oil
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- In a large pot, bring the elderberries, water, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to a boil.
- Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half, about 40-45 minutes.
- Allow the liquid to cool, and then drain the liquid using a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.
- Press all liquid out of the berries using the back of a wooden spoon.
- Add the raw honey and mix well.
- Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator for up to two months.
- Prep Time: 5 mins
- Cook Time: 45 mins
- Category: natural medicine
Nutrition
- Calories: 1113
- Sugar: 278g
- Sodium: 21mg
- Fat: 1g
- Carbohydrates: 299g
- Protein: 2g
Take along with this Vitamin C Smoothie for extra immune-boosting power!
This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting my mission to help as many people as possible live a happy, healthy life!
Why are cloves added in most of the recipes?
I made this recipe with some variation but I don’t see dosage recommendations. Maybe I miss it in the article. Usually I pour some in tea, morning drink, add to hot water and extra honey/ginger…intuitively … but I want to make some for a friend and would like to have “proper” recommendation as a beginning point. Thanks for any feedback. “-)
ps. as I type this I am waiting on covid test results and adding extra syrup to my day…
Blessings to ya’ll….Linda in Ky….
Hi Linda,
As a preventative measure, we take 1 tablespoon per day. If we feel like we have a cold or illness coming on, we take up to 3 tablespoons a day.
thanks Maryea…. your reply time/date .. cool number 11112020 @ 1212
Linda, I just had to comment because it’s 11-11 and your post just came in today!
I’m also waiting for my covid-19 test results, too! I don’t have symptoms, just being responsible.
Elderberry juice is anti-viral and simple to make.
Plus, after I strain. I keep the remaining pulp and make hot tea with it.
BTW, I didn’t have cloves so I substituted star anise. Plus, I’ll probably use maple syrup or cane sugar instead of honey.
In a few hours, I’ll let you how it tastes with that substitute.
11112020! I noticed that too…. New beginnings and fresh energy for whatever is on our path. Please update with use of sweetener..thanks 🙂
My liquid did not reduce. I imagine it’s because I covered my pot while simmering, as the recipe instructs. Should I double the dosage because my syrup isn’t as condensed as it should be?
Can you do anything with the leftover elderberries after they’re drained?
I add the mashed part to brewed tea.
Thanks Jenn! That’s a GREAT idea! I have them in the fridge…. how long will they last?
My family loves the elderberries added to apple crisp.
Thank you for posting! I live in MD not too far from College Park and had no idea about this business! Will be looking into their website this evening! 🙂
Thanks for the recipe – I purchased local organic (always buy organic). Etsy has sellers of Elderberries that are organic at fair prices (some have free shipping). Don’t buy from Amazon!
Thank you for your insight. I didn’t realize Etsy had people who sell Elderberry! Great info!
Hello! I love this recipe! Thanks ! Do you know how much it cost to make the 1x batch? I’m trying to compare to store pricing how much I’m saving. ? TIA😊
I purchase from MountainMausRemedies on Etsy – Fair prices & shipping – Organic
Oops! I put the honey in first with all of the other ingredients – what’s going to happen? Thanks!
From my understanding, it should be fine – you just won’t get the additional benefits of the raw honey.
Amazon has organic herbals so it remains a viable option … I love the variety on Etsy as well. We live in a time where there are many options that allow each of us to decide what is individual best.
Of course – Maybe they do but Amazon has no regulations – Sellers can post whatever they want and you don’t always get what you pay for via Amazon. I stopped buying from them after I received bad merchandise (non OEM – Refurbished product – JUNK) I like to buy direct whenever possible. It is important to support the local growers. Amazon is NOT a sustainable company and we have to be mindful to that fact.
I made the syrup today (11/24/20) with elderberries dried from bushes in my back yard. So pleased my family and friends will be able to build our immune systems in such a balanced way – no pharmaceuticals!
I agree about not buying from Amazon – especially when there are other options. Amazon is the evil corporate giant doing their best to take over commerce in our world at the expense of local businesses and over-worked, underpaid employees. !
I had fresh elderberries and made my juice, didnt have time to make the syrup right away I froze the juice, can i thaw it out and reheat and add the ingredients to make the syrup will that be ok?
Quick question! Do you they need to be refrigerated immediately after making them? Is there any like layover time between making them and refrigerating them? Thanks!
Did you rey to process the jars?
Hi. What type of honey is everyone using, clover honey? Was thinking about using buckwheat but it has such a different taste. Thank you!
Raw honey.
Local wildflower honey.
Use whatever honey you want – If you like the taste of Buckwheat and that is what you have then use that. If you have to go out any buy honey, then I (personally) would recommend a milder honey. It is a matter of choice.
When looking for fresh elderberries, check with your local farmers market. I bought 2.5 lbs and got 2qts. Going to make a elderberry and sour cherry syrup. Just made 14 half pints of Muscadine jelly. Have pears in the freezer( didn’t have time when they were given to me. So I guess I’ll make jelly with them.)
Omg the muscadine and sour cherry sound fabulous! I might try!!
I have a bush and pick my own berries. It is a tiresome job but worth it. I pick the berries in there clump with stems and wash them. Then I sit on the sofa with huge bowls in front of me and pick the berries off while watching tv. Often an entire Netflix series. Then I use a steamer and get lots of juice. I add the honey when the juice has sat for a bit but is still quite warm, pour it into pint jars and the lids seal as they cool. Boiling the berries in water, mashing and straining is good for smaller amounts. The longer you boil the thicker your liquid will be at the end thus a sweeter syrup. If you have a more watery liquid to work with your end result will be less sweet. This is totally a personal preference, so give it a taste test and do what you like best.
Can you post a pic of your plant?
Ty
Me and my husband live in Idaho where we have elderberries out our back door. We just picked 25 pounds today. The easiest way to get them off it’s just soak batches in a sink full of water. Then roll the berries between your fingers vigorously and then “comb”the rest of the berries off like it is hair. lol Works great and so much faster. But I do but you get to enjoy Netflix.
Shari. Where in Idaho?
When u do this to seal lids does it last on shelf?
does it last on shelf if your sealing lids?
What’s your recommended sub for honey? Trying to decide between maple and date. Thanks!
You can also try Agave Nectar. 3/4 of a cup instead of 1 cup
Mine turned out rather dark, a brown color instead of the purple I see a lot. Is that right?
Mine did, too! I’m hoping someone with answer this question. I’m not sure if the syrup is good to use?
I’ve been using it and it seems to be okay. I made another batch with Ceylon cinnamon and used 1/8 tsp ground cloves instead of the 4 whole cloves and it turned out more purple, still pretty dark though.
How much elderberry syrup does the “1x” recipe make?
I re-used a spaghetti sauce mason jar (think prego), and it filled that, plus another cup or so. It makes a fair amount, and in my family, we were able to use it within the two months (2 adults, one child).
How do you get so much out when the recipe says only 3 cups to start with? After 40 mins simmering I only have about 1-2 cups when I only started with 3.
A little over 2 cups.
This is my first year of harvesting my own elderberries so I was very happy to find this recipe. I made a double batch today and am looking forward to using it all winter. Thank you!!
This homemade elderberry syrup recipe is really easy and worth the effort for the money saved.
What quantity of fresh elderberries would you use? Would you reduce the cooking time?
How much does the 1x scale make?
Thank you for this recipe. I need to say that I feel really sad reading that you got your elderberries on Amazon. I realise not everyone can harvest their own fruits, plants, mushrooms, etc, however, these things can be bought from far more ethical places than Amazon. There are likely so many online herbalists that offer such a thing. Amazon does not support their workers or the environment and it’s painful to know that nature herself is being, well, exploited (in my opinion) by being sold under such exploitative conditions. There is a modern desire to get things done quickly which feels out of the natural rhythm that nature is inviting us back into. Perhaps we all have a role in inviting ourselves and each other into that rhythm, rather than colluding and promoting a fast, easy outcome. Is it possible to invite your readers to find another way of sourcing these precious fruits, that are not just a commodity, or a product to be used for fast result? I write all this without anger, just a sadness and deep wish for our world to become more connected. With respect and gratitude, Rebecca 🙂
Amazon employees are not the ones harvesting the berries, they are just a vehicle for a 3rd party vendor. I will agree with the knowing where it comes from angle because I do have a small orchard and grow my own without specticides
and alot on Amazon come from other countries like Ukraine.
This recipe is great!
I’ve found organic dried elderberries at my Natural Grocer store in their bulk area. I know it isn’t an independent store, but I do like their range of foods to fit my dietary needs.
I do understand what you are saying but The other issue is that a lot of Independent herbalists and other small business use amazon to sell their product because it is a simple solution for them.
I have spent many hours searching out natural and ethical products and have been doing so for 30 years. But the sad fact is that the natural and wellbeing industry has become a premium industry that average and poor people can’t afford. Ethical products are so highly branded to entice the wealthy that they carry a huge price tag.
Without amazon offering cheaper and therefore accessible , many people would continue their mainstream unethical buying.
I don’t know what the answer is. But id rather that all people can find a way to buy natural products and enjoy natural health and make ethical choices where they can.
If amazon is what they can afford, then surely it’s better than grocer store processed and factory made stuff that comes in mountains of Plastic.
I just don’t think boycotting amazon is the answer.
I love buying local…here in Maryland, Smile Herb, https://www.smileherb.com/ has been around for years and I would much rather support them and other small businesses.
And sure, lots of local businesses are on Amazon, (I do shop on Amazon for some things) but having discussions around other alternatives is vital…shoppe black, indigenous and hispanic owned stores, etc. are out there…. “inviting your readers” to find alternate sourcing is a small step in the right direction.
Thank you for posting! I live in MD not too far from College Park and had no idea about this business! Will be looking into their website this evening! 🙂
Hi! I’m excited to try this. Tho I have fresh ( well currently I froze them) elderberries. How would I use them? Or would I just do the same?
This recipe is for dried. I do know that there are recipes out there for fresh elderberries, but the process is different. Sorry I can’t help with that!
About read to make with fresh berries. Can I can the juice and make syrup later?
I’d say that nature is flexible as far as which state you consume your elderberries in- only be sure to follow whatever recipe you chose for yourself carefully so the proportions and dosing match what is safe for you.
and don’t store it for long before you complete the recipe and use it. 👍🏼
I stead of 3/4 cup dried, you use 1 cup fresh.
Love this recipe!