While the holiday season may be behind us, the cold and flu season is still going strong! This homemade elderberry syrup is a simple, delicious way to support your family’s immune health all winter long. Not only is it easy to make, but it will fill your home with the warm, comforting scents of cinnamon, ginger, and citrus. Plus, making your own batch saves you money and ensures you’re getting the purest, most potent ingredients.
Ingredients:
1 cup elderberries (fresh or frozen; or ½ cup dried)
3 cups water
1 orange, sliced
2 cinnamon sticks
1-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled
A sprinkling of whole cloves
½ cup raw honey
Elderberries are packed with vitamin C, antioxidants, and immune-boosting properties, making them a powerful ally in the fight against colds and flu. The combination of elderberries with other natural health powerhouses like ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, creates a syrup that’s not only delicious but incredibly good for you. Raw honey brings it all together, adding its own mix of vitamins, minerals, and natural sweetness.
I’m lucky that my mother-in-law grows elderberries in her backyard and generously shares them with me, but for years I’ve been making this syrup using dried elderberries bought online. Whether you use fresh or dried, the result is the same: a simple, effective remedy for staying healthy throughout the colder months.
How to Make Elderberry Syrup:
Combine the Ingredients: In a medium saucepan, add the elderberries, water, orange slices, cinnamon
sticks, ginger, and cloves. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat.
Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let it simmer for 1.5 to 3 hours (the longer you simmer, the more concentrated the syrup will be). You want the liquid to reduce by about half, which intensifies the flavors and increases the potency of the elderberries.
Strain: Remove the saucepan from heat and carefully strain the solution into a bowl, pressing the berries and orange slices down to extract all the liquid. Discard the solids.
Add Honey: While the solution is still warm, stir in ½ cup of raw honey. If you have access to local honey, even better! The warmth helps the honey dissolve smoothly into the syrup.
Cool & Store: Once everything is well mixed, let the syrup cool to room temperature. Then, transfer it to a glass jar or bottle and store it in the fridge. It will keep for up to a month.
Dosage:
Adults: 1 tablespoon daily
Children (over 1 year old): 1 teaspoon daily
If you're feeling under the weather, you can take it 2-3 times a day to help speed recovery.
Note: Honey should not be given to infants under 1 year old due to the risk of botulism.
A Family Favorite:
My kids love this syrup and call it their "honey vitamin"—a fun and tasty way to stay healthy! It’s become a seasonal staple in our home, and I hope it will be in yours too.
May your winter be filled with health, happiness, and plenty of elderberry syrup!
This recipe was crafted and written by Hannah Finley, a faithful mother, wife and friend currently living in North Seattle alongside her husband and 3 children. All photos were taken by her husband, Ben Finley, and if you are located in the PNW, and are interested in hiring him for your photography needs he can be reached here.
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