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
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!
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I have a ton of fresh elderberries and I’m wondering if I would use the same amount of fresh as you used of dried? Thanks and I can’t wait to try this recipe!
I also have lots of fresh elderberries , have you ever tried it with fresh and can I use the same ratio ?
Thanks!
This homemade elderberry syrup recipe sounds fantastic! I love the idea of making my own immune booster at home. Saving money while keeping the family healthy is a total win. Thanks for sharing this great recipe!
This sounds fantastic! I love the idea of making my own elderberry syrup at home, especially for its immune-boosting benefits. Saving money while keeping the family healthy is a huge win. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Love how this syrup harnesses elderberry’s natural antiviral properties! A pro tip: Adding a splash of fresh lemon juice at the end not only brightens the flavor but also boosts vitamin C content. For families, I recommend mixing a spoonful into herbal tea at the first sign of sniffles—it’s been our go-to winter wellness ritual!
This recipe’s raw honey finish preserves immune-boosting enzymes—smart move! For extra potency, I steep the berries with fresh ginger and a cinnamon stick. Storage tip: Freeze in ice cube trays (1oz portions) to thaw as needed. My pediatrician approves this for kids over 1; it cut our colds by half last winter!
The idea of saving money while keeping the family healthy naturally is a huge win. Can’t wait to try this out!
This sounds fantastic! Making elderberry syrup at home to boost immunity and save money is such a smart idea.
Absolutely loved this elderberry syrup recipe—natural remedies like this are often underrated! It’s interesting how traditional methods are making a comeback, much like how people are rediscovering ways to enjoy mobile experiences on desktops. For example, I recently tried Bitlife on PC
, and it gave a whole new perspective to the game. Appreciate posts like this that blend simplicity with wellness!
I was wondering if I left it sit after cooling, would it still be edible?
I had made it and took it off the heat but had to leave for an appointment. It sat cooling and then just stayed in the pot until I got home a few hours later, is it still safe to use?
(I just took some and it just seemed weaker than what I have made before or than what a friend has made).
An additional wonderful perk is saving money while doing it. I am eager to give this recipe a try!
I’ve always appreciated natural remedies like elderberry syrup—especially with how easy this recipe makes it to prepare at home. While I usually spend my downtime gaming just got into the carx game pc
version, I’ve been trying to balance screen time with healthier routines like this. Thanks for the simple, effective guide!
Saving money while doing it is an extra fantastic bonus. Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Is it possible to make this without honey? I have no desire for sweetener.