How to Make Elderberry Syrup + Additional Add-Ins

Elderberry syrup is great to have on hand for both its taste and its medicinal properties. It can be used as a condiment, on pancakes or waffles, in yogurt, any way you would use a fruit syrup or by the tablespoon for medicinal purposes.

Benefits of Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry is antiviral, it inhibits viral replication, binds influenza virus so it can’t infect host cells, antibacterial, antifungal, anti-inflammatory, antipyretic, antioxidant, immune-modulating and immune-boosting.

With all those benefits it's a wonder more people aren't utilizing its amazing health-promoting properties.

Harvesting

If you're fortunate enough to be able to grow elderberries in your yard or harvest them locally, you'll save a small fortune when making elderberry syrup, elderberry tincture, elderberry gummies, or other elderberry recipes.

There are a handful of varieties of elderberries, and it's important to know the differences as not all elderberries are edible or safe to consume (and no elderberries should ever be eaten raw/uncooked).

Types

• American elderberry (Sambucus nigra canadensis) or European or black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) – both these varieties are similar and safe to use for recipes calling for elderberries. Look to harvest berries that are dark purple, dark blue, or nearly black. If they're green or partly green, they're not yet ripe.
• Red Elderberry (Sambucus racemona var. racemona) – Typically used as an ornamental plant and is NOT safe to consume.
• Blue Elderberry (Sambucus mexicana or Sambucus nigra var. caerulea) – Found in the northwest and western coastal regions of Mexico, the US and Canada. Typically has a powdery white film on the berries, is commonly used as an ornamental plant and is NOT safe to consume.

Never Eat Raw Elderberries

Elderberries contain a compound called hydrocyanic acid that when consumed raw can cause extreme stomach upset especially in large amounts.

The good news is, heat breaks down this acid and we can make and enjoy elderberry syrup.

Where to Buy

My favorite source for organic elderberries is from my affiliate FarmHouse Teas. They have fantastic products and you can even purchase an Elderberry Syrup Kit.

The Elderberry Syrup kit includes all my favorite add-ins like Organic Orange Peel, Organic Rose Hips, Organic Astragalus, Organic Echinacea, Organic Cinnamon, Organic Ginger, and Organic Cloves. Plus one bag makes 96 servings!!!

Tips for Making Elderberry Syrup

• Always cook your syrup at a simmer for at least 15 minutes.
• Don't use a pressure cooker, Instant Pot, or even a pot with the lid on as the hydrocyanic acid needs to be able to cook out, and if the lid is on, it drips back into the syrup rather than evaporating.
• Wait until the elderberry juice has cooled to hot bath water temp, about 110 degrees, before adding honey and ACV.
• Elderberry juice can be consumed plain. But for a tastier syrup add honey, and for additional health benefits add one or more of the optional add-ins such as cinnamon, rose hips, ginger, astragalus root, orange peel, or clove.

Ingredients

• Dried Elderberries – dried elderberries can be purchased year-round, however you can also use fresh elderberries if they're ripe and in season.
• Raw Apple Cider Vinegar – ACV is helpful for preservation purposes. It'll help keep your elderberry syrup more shelf-stable. It also adds medicinal benefits as it's added once the syrup has cooled, so the raw properties are still intact. Learn how to make homemade apple cider vinegar here.
• Raw Unfiltered Honey – any honey will work for this recipe, I like to use raw, unfiltered honey because it has additional benefits to help with seasonal allergies. Because of the addition of honey, elderberry syrup should not be given to kids under 12 months of age.

Optional Add-Ins

Add one or more of the following, to taste, for extra flavor and additional health benefits:

• Cinnamon sticks
• Fresh ginger root (or ginger powder)
• Rosehips
• Dried astragalus Root
• Dried orange peel
• Rosemary

Directions

In a small saucepan, add elderberries and water and bring to a simmer.

Keeping the liquid at a simmer, cook for approximately 20 minutes until the liquid has reduced by half.

Mash the berries to help them release all their juices. Add more water if the berries soak up too much liquid or if you reduce your liquid too much.

Strain syrup through a fine mesh sieve into a medium glass bowl. Mash the berries with the back of a spoon to extract all the juices.

Allow the elderberry juice to cool slightly (about 110 degrees) and add in honey and apple cider vinegar.

Stir until honey has dissolved. Pour into a glass storage jar and keep in the refrigerator for up to 6 weeks.

Dosing

Preventative

Take 1 Tablespoon daily as a preventative measure a few days before high exposure activity and then 7 days after suspected exposure.

Example: I have a flight coming up and will begin taking elderberry syrup 3 days before, during my trip, and 7 days after I get home.

Symptoms Present

When feeling symptoms of illness, more frequent doses throughout the day are needed. Herbalist Rosalee De La Foret recommends a spoonful (about 1 tsp) every hour when feeling down (from her book The Alchemy of Herbs).

Safety Precautions

Because this recipe includes honey, it should not be given to children under the age of 12 months.

Avoid use if you have an autoimmune disorder. The use of elderberry syrup hasn't been tested on patients with autoimmune disorders such as Hashimotos, therefore, you should always take precautions and check with your healthcare provider before starting.

Did you make this recipe? If so, please leave a review on the recipe card below. Also, I'd love to see your homemade elderberry syrup, so tag me on social media @melissaknorris.