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Best Homemade Elderberry Syrup with Honey for Immune Support

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This homemade elderberry syrup with honey is a comforting and immune-supporting recipe that comes together in under an hour. Made with dried elderberries, raw honey, and warm spices, it’s a delicious way to stay healthy during cold and flu season.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (140 g) dried elderberries (Sambucus nigra or Sambucus canadensis)
  • 1 cup (340 g) raw honey
  • 4 cups (950 ml) filtered water
  • 2 whole cinnamon sticks (preferably Ceylon)
  • 1 thumb-sized piece (2 inches) fresh ginger, sliced into thin rounds
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • Optional: dried orange peel, star anise pod, dried rose hips

Instructions

  1. Combine the berries and water. Place 1 cup of dried elderberries and 4 cups of filtered water in a medium saucepan. Add the 2 cinnamon sticks, the sliced ginger, and 1 teaspoon of whole cloves. Stir. Do not add honey yet.
  2. Bring to a boil, then simmer. Turn heat to high and bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently for 45 minutes. The liquid should reduce by about half and turn deep purple.
  3. Check the consistency. After 45 minutes, the liquid should be slightly syrupy and reduced to about 2 cups. If too thin, simmer 10-15 minutes more. If too thick, add a splash of water. Aim for a consistency similar to maple syrup.
  4. Strain the mixture. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large glass measuring cup or bowl. Pour the hot liquid through the strainer. Use the back of a wooden spoon to press down on the berries and spices to extract all liquid. Discard solids.
  5. Cool the liquid. Let the strained liquid cool completely at room temperature, about 30-45 minutes. Do not add honey to hot liquid.
  6. Stir in the honey. Once the liquid is completely cool, add 1 cup of raw honey. Whisk gently until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired.
  7. Bottle and store. Using a funnel, pour the syrup into sterilized glass jars, leaving 1/2 inch headspace. Seal tightly, label with the date, and refrigerate.

Notes

Do not use fresh elderberries; they can be toxic if not cooked properly. Raw honey is crucial for enzyme benefits; do not substitute with pasteurized honey. For infants under 1 year, replace honey with maple syrup. The syrup can be frozen in ice cube trays for up to 6 months. Flavors deepen after a week in the fridge.

Nutrition

Keywords: elderberry syrup, homemade elderberry syrup, immune support, elderberry recipe, honey syrup, cold and flu remedy, elderberry with honey

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