Help support your immune health with this delicious homemade Elderberry Syrup recipe, perfect for cold and flu season. This powerful remedy is a must-have in your wellness routine, made with simple natural ingredients like dried elderberries, agave nectar, and warming spices.
Elderberry syrup is a natural remedy made from antioxidant-rich elderberries known for their immune-boosting properties (NCBI). This DIY elderberry syrup recipe contains vitamin-rich ingredients that can help naturally support your body’s defenses (ScienceDirect). The syrup has a rich, berry flavor complemented by warm spices, including ginger, cinnamon, and cloves, which creates a comforting and healthful treat.
Making elderberry syrup at home is easy and can save you money compared to store-bought products. Plus, when stored properly in the refrigerator, this syrup will keep for up to two months, making it a convenient and cost-effective addition to your self-care regime.
For more vegan wellness recipes, check out my Anti-Inflammatory Turmeric Latte, Pineapple Skin Tea, or Anti-Inflammatory Oat Milk Shaken Espresso.
Ingredients
Dried Elderberries: Look for organic dried elderberries at health food stores or online [Amazon or iHerb] to ensure the best quality. They have a tart, fruity flavor that becomes rich and mellow when simmered.
Water: Use filtered water to help extract the beneficial compounds from the elderberries and spices.
Cinnamon Sticks: Add a warm, spicy undertone to elderberry syrup recipes. Use sticks for the most robust flavor, or substitute 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon.
Ginger: Fresh ginger gives the syrup a zesty, spicy kick that balances the sweetness. If fresh ginger isn’t available, you can use ¼ teaspoon of ground ginger instead.
Whole Cloves: Contribute a subtle sweetness and depth of flavor to the organic elderberry syrup. In a pinch, you can substitute with ¼ teaspoon of ground cloves.
Agave Nectar: Provides a smooth, sweet finish to the syrup. Use light or dark agave depending on your flavor preference: light for a more neutral taste and dark for a more intense caramel taste.
Star Anise (Optional): This ingredient is optional but recommended to add a tasty hint of licorice flavor that enhances the syrup’s complexity.
How to Make Elderberry Syrup
- Combine Ingredients. Add the dried elderberries to a saucepan with water, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cloves, and star anise.
- Simmer. Bring the saucepan to a simmer over medium or medium-high heat, and reduce the heat to low. Gently simmer the elderberries on low heat for 45 minutes or until the liquid has reduced by half.
- Cool. Remove the saucepan from the heat, and allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes or until it is safe to handle.
- Strain. Use a sieve or cheesecloth to strain the syrup into a glass jar, pressing the solids with the back of a spoon to express more liquid from the berries. Discard the remaining solids or reserve them for another use.
- Sweeten. Add the agave syrup to the glass jar and stir well until combined.
- Store. Cool completely before covering it with an airtight lid and refrigerating it for up to 2 months.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use quality ingredients. For the most effective and flavorful homemade elderberry syrup, opt for organic dried elderberries [Amazon or iHerb], fresh ginger, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
- Avoid overheating. Keep the heat on low when simmering the elderberry mixture. High heat can destroy some of the berries’ beneficial properties and may change the overall syrup flavor.
- Strain thoroughly. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain as much liquid as possible. This ensures a smooth syrup without any residual pulp or seeds.
- Sweeten to taste. Adjust the amount of agave nectar to suit your taste preferences; add more for a sweeter syrup if desired.
Recipe Variations
Below are optional flavor and ingredient variations to make elderberry syrup:
- Citrus: For a bright, citrusy twist, add the zest of one orange or lemon to the simmering elderberry mixture.
- Vanilla: Add 1-2 teaspoons of pure vanilla extract or a split vanilla bean to the syrup while simmering for an extra luscious, fragrant flavor.
- Mint: For a refreshing herbal note, add a handful of fresh mint leaves to the syrup during the last 5 minutes of simmering.
- Berry Blend: For a more complex berry flavor, mix dried or fresh berries like raspberries or blueberries with elderberries in equal parts.
Serving Suggestions
I recommend enjoying this elderberry syrup recipe with dried elderberries as a daily wellness booster. Take one tablespoon five days a week, then take two days off. It is also delicious mixed into beverages or drizzled over dishes like some of our favorite recipes below:
Storage Directions
- Refrigeration: Allow this recipe for elderberry syrup to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
- Freezing: For more extended storage, freeze the cooled syrup in ice cube trays, then transfer the cubes to an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can make a fresh elderberry syrup recipe if they are available for a lighter, fresher taste. Increase to 1 cup of elderberries, reduce to 2 cups of water, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by half. Then, continue the recipe as outlined.
If your syrup is too thick, dilute it with water or juice to reach your desired consistency. Heat the syrup over low heat and stir in the additional liquid until thoroughly combined.
Yes. If preferred, you can omit the spices and use elderberries, water, and sweetener for a more straightforward berry flavor.
Yes, you can also make elderberry syrup in the Instant Pot. Pressure cook the elderberries, spices, and water on HIGH for 5 minutes. When the pressure cook is complete, do a quick pressure release to release the pressure from the Instant Pot immediately. Depending on your IP model, this may be done by pressing a button on the touchscreen panel or by twisting the pressure valve. Please check the instructions for your Instant Pot if you are not sure how to do this. When the pressure pin on the lid is down, you can safely open the lid. Press cancel and let the mixture cool for at least 10 minutes, until safe to handle.
Strain the solids through a sieve or cheesecloth into a glass jar. Press the solids with the back of a spoon to get more liquid from the berries.
Add agave to the glass jar, and stir well.
More Vegan Syrup Recipes
Recipe Card
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Add the dried elderberries to a saucepan with water, cinnamon sticks, ginger, cloves, and star anise. Bring to a simmer over medium or medium-high heat, and reduce the heat to low. Gently simmer the elderberries on low heat for 45 minutes or until the liquid has reduced by half.
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Remove the saucepan from the heat, and allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes or until safe to handle.
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Strain the syrup through a sieve or cheesecloth into a glass jar, pressing the solids with the back of a spoon to express more liquid from the berries. Discard the remaining solids or reserve them for another use.
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Add the agave syrup to the glass jar and stir well until combined. Cool completely before covering it with an airtight lid and refrigerating it for up to 2 months.
- Refrigeration: Allow the syrup to cool completely before transferring it to an airtight container and storing it in the refrigerator for up to 2 months.
- Freezing: For longer storage, freeze the cooled syrup in ice cube trays, then transfer the cubes to an airtight freezer-safe container for up to 6 months. Thaw in the refrigerator overnight or at room temperature.
Recipe Pro-Tips
- Use quality ingredients. For the most effective and flavorful homemade elderberry syrup, opt for organic dried elderberries, fresh ginger, whole cloves, and cinnamon sticks.
- Avoid overheating. Keep the heat on low when simmering the elderberry mixture. High heat can destroy some of the berries’ beneficial properties and may change the overall syrup flavor.
- Strain thoroughly. Use a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain as much liquid as possible. This ensures a smooth syrup without any residual pulp or seeds. Sweeten to taste. Adjust the amount of agave nectar to suit your taste preferences; add more for a sweeter syrup if desired.