Graceful Little Honey Bee

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

by 20 Comments

Store bought elderberry syrup is seriously expensive. Learn how to make your own at home for a fraction of the cost.

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  I started taking Elderberry Syrup for cold and flu prevention last winter when I was pregnant with my daughter because it’s full of vitamins and immune boosting antioxidants. I love to use natural products instead of over the counter medicine when I can because I feel it is better for my health and the health of my family.

 

  I knew I wanted to try making Elderberry Syrup at home this year because the store bought stuff is really expensive especially if you are taking it daily during cold and flu season. Last year I paid around $10 for an 8 oz bottle and I made it this year at home for a fraction of that price. I ordered my berries through Amazon, but you can also get them from Mountain Rose Herbs.

 

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

(makes a little over 1 pint)

2/3 cup dried elderberries

3 cups water

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground clove

1/2 tsp ground ginger

1 cup honey (raw and local is best)

2/3 cup raw apple cider vinegar

 

Step 1: Simmer berries, spices and water in a sauce pot, stirring occasionally until liquid is reduced by half. This should take around 45 minutes.

Step 2: Strain liquid into bowl and discard elderberries. This works best using something like a fine mesh strainer, coffee filter, sheer curtain, or fine cheesecloth.

Step 3: Mix in honey and then add apple cider vinegar mixing well.

Step 4: Pour into clean glass jar and refrigerate for up to 3 months.

 

Standard Dose for Cold and Flu Prevention:

1 tsp daily for kids and 1 tbsp daily for adults

If sick, take the above dose every 2-3 hours as needed.

 

Have you ever taken elderberry syrup? What kinds of natural remedies do you use for cold and flu prevention? I’d love to know!

 

Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Please do your own research before taking home remedies. This is not intended to replace a professional opinion.

 

Yields 1 pint

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

15 minPrep Time

45 minCook Time

1 hrTotal Time

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Ingredients

  • 2/3 cup dried elderberries
  • 3 cups water
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground clove
  • 1/2 tsp ground ginger
  • 1 cup honey (raw and local is best)
  • 2/3 cup raw apple cider vinegar

Instructions

  1. Simmer berries, spices and water in a sauce pot, stirring occasionally until liquid is reduced by half. This should take around 45 minutes.
  2. Strain liquid into bowl and discard elderberries. This works best using something like a fine mesh strainer, coffee filter, sheer curtain, or fine cheesecloth.
  3. Mix in honey and then add apple cider vinegar mixing well.
  4. Pour into clean glass jar and refrigerate for up to 3 months.

Notes

Standard Dose for Cold and Flu Prevention: 1 tsp daily for kids and 1 tbsp daily for adults If sick, take the above dose every 2-3 hours as needed.

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https://www.gracefullittlehoneybee.com/homemade-elderberry-syrup/

 

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  1. Katie says

    I began making homemade elderberry syrup last winter season. All three of my children came down with influenza, and this was a tremendous blessing in their treatment!!! I have been using it this winter also, although ordering elderberries has been difficult the past few months. I believe you are a fan of the Homestead Blessings series (like me!), right? Well, back in August, I watched their "Herbs" DVD, and I decided to make one of their herbal tonics which they mentioned was good to take during flu season. It has equal parts of ginger, onion, garlic, horseradish root, and cayenne pepper steeped in apple cider vinegar (for at least 2 weeks) and strained. Anyway, I'm very thankful to have two quart jars of it in the fridge for the season. Horseradish was hard to find though! Here is a link to a similar recipe from another great blog: http://www.thehealthyhomeeconomist.com/master-tonic-natural-flu-antiviral/ Blessings to you! Katie
    Reply

  3. Anna says

    I LOVE this! My husband scavenged for loads of elderberries in local forests for me this fall. (Supposedly they are best if they go through a frost or two first and they had :) I made a couple batches and still have some berries in the freezer. I make mine with echinacea tea in it and then can it in a waterbath so that it is shelf stable. I used to make it for the referigerator but it doesn't last past a couple months there.
    Reply

    • Ann Cox says

      Anna would you Please share your recipe on how you canned it? I would love to make some for my family. I love the ideal of being able to store it on the shelf. Thank You, Ann
      Reply

  4. Jenn says

    Thank you for sharing! I didn't know you could buy the berries online. That changes everything. I started taking elderberry a few years ago and swear by it. When I get a cold my asthma gets pretty bad. Elderberry has saved me from having to get some nasty prescription medicine and I am so grateful! Now I am even more excited to make my own :)
    Reply

  6. Julia says

    Oh this is amazing, right up my alley! I love all kinds of berries and currants. I remember actually having an elderberry tree in front of the house where I grew up but that was many years ago and the internet wasn't available yet. I always knew that something could be made with elderberries but I didn't know what. Thank you for this article! Aren't berries just amazing?
    Reply

  7. Tammie says

    Oh my goodness...what can I say but THANK YOU all! These recipes, ideas and posts are so wonderful and helpful! Elderberry syrup is one of my husband's favorite "tonics" and remedies for what ails him in the wintertime! I will be making this from now on!
    Reply

  8. Kathleen says

    My grandmother made this and rosehip syrup. We got one or the other in a large serving spoon full every morning during the winter. We were rarely ill. She made elderflower cordial and dandelion and burdock in the springtime. My brother and I were sent out to gather the flowers while my dad was tasked with digging the roots. Miss my granny, we loved to take our medicine!
    Reply

  11. Becky says

    This is one of few recipes that includes apple cider vinegar. I would imagine that effects the taste some. Are the benefits worth adding it? Also, I made a batch for myself and my sister and this awful flu this both of our homes...I’m so glad I had it on hand. Thank you so much for sharing!
    Reply

    • Terri Miller says

      I just made this. I'm not such a fan of the apple cider vinegar in it...but I also modified this and added thyme, black pepper and an orange. I think the apple cider vinegar competes with the additions a bit. It's not horrid. ;-)
      Reply

  12. Karen says

    I just made this recipe. Very good! I could hardly wait to try it once I made it, as I've been sick with flu symptoms. I used 100% raw organic honey (Naturally Healthy Mountain Ridge, from Wal-mart) just to test the recipe. Good recipe!
    Reply

  14. Tana says

    Hi, Wondering if you can substitute frozen elderberries instead of dried? If so would the portion size be the same for the recipe? Also wondering if I wanted to add dried rosehips to the recipe, how much you’d recommend? Thank you
    Reply