How to Make Spiced Elderberry Syrup
Kindly note: As an Amazon Associate and Affiliate for other companies, I may earn a commission from qualifying purchases if you use the links provided. There is no additional cost to you if you use these links. Thanks so much for supporting my home business, Diligent Homemaker!
Elderberry syrup is an easy-to-homemake product that can support the immune system. Adding certain ingredients can boost the healing power of this elixir and make this a delightfully spicy syrup.
Jump to Recipe
This recipe is not difficult to make and is very versatile. Many of the ingredients are optional. The basics are dried elderberries, water, honey.
What you’ll need:
- dried elderberries
- dried astragalus
- dried rosehips
- ginger root
- cloves
- cinnamon sticks
- rind of one orange
- distilled water
- honey
- sugar
Elderberries may be purchased in the dried form or home-dried from harvested berries.
Dried astragalus root, dried ginger root and dried rosehips offer added benefits for immune support.
Astragalus is antibacterial, antiviral, anti-inflammatory and may help with stress adaptation and increasing white blood cell count.
Ginger is most known for its calming of digestive issues. It also soothes sore throat, and stimulates the heart, the appetite, as well as veins and arteries. Note about this recipe: I used ginger powder in these photos. The powder caused the syrup to be cloudy but it still worked. I wouldn’t recommend it for optimum results but it does work if ginger root is not available.
Rosehips are an accessory fruit to some varieties of rose plants. They are very rich in vitamin C.
Warm spices and fruit such as cinnamon, clove and orange peel add spice to this recipe but may be excluded, if desired. These additions offer added benefits of flavor, vitamin C,
Cloves are flower buds from the clove tree, an evergreen. Providing manganese and other nutrients, clove may help fight liver issues, high blood sugar and cancer.
Cinnamon is the bark from cinnamon trees. (How wonderful it would be to walk through a cinnamon tree forest!) Cinnamon holds antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as, supports healthy blood sugar and cancer and heart disease prevention.
Most of us are aware of the high amounts of vitamin C in oranges, but are you aware that oranges may help lower blood pressure and cortisol? Note: Those with GERD, or acid reflux, might wish to omit the orange in this recipe as it may cause increased issues with stomach acidity.
Weigh all ingredients, except the sugar and honey, with kitchen scales for exact measurements. Combine all ingredients except sugar and honey into a bowl. This recipe may be doubled or tripled. The photo indicates a tripled recipe.
Use distilled water to avoid any impurities. If distilled is not available, simply boil water and set it aside to use for this recipe. I boil water just a few minutes before making this recipe.
Add dry ingredients. Bring to boil. Reduce heat to medium and cook until reduced by about half. Stir every now and then.
With a strainer or colander set over a bowl, strain the mixture. Stir to encourage all of the liquid to strain out. The solids may be given to chickens or composted.
Return liquid to pot. Add sugar and boil until desired consistency. Sugar may be omitted, if desired. Using it results in a syrup consistency and acts as a preservative.
Allow to cool about 5 minutes off-heat and stir in honey.
Decant, label, refrigerate for longer storage.
Diligent Homemaking Tip:
To save time for the next time I make Spiced Elderberry Syrup, I measured ingredients for a double recipe. Instead of fresh orange peel, I added dried orange peel that I had previously dried. I used ginger powder as I had no dried ginger root on hand. All of the ingredients are dried and a double recipe fit perfectly into a wide-mouth quart jar. Vacuum sealing it assures that no moisture will spoil the mixture while it sits on my pantry shelf waiting for its time to come. I use my vacuum sealer for so many uses!
Watch me make Spiced Elderberry Syrup in this video exclusively for Heritage Ways Members.
Shop this post
- Kitchen Scales for accurately weighing ingredients in many recipes
- Elderberries … I trust this brand.
- Astragalus root … You can find less expensive options but I trust this brand, if shopping on Amazon.
- Vacuum sealer …. I use it weekly for so many purposes.
Other uses for this syrup
- pour over ice cream or cake
- mix in mocktails, cocktails, or carbonated water
- drizzle over pancakes or waffles
- drizzle over homemade vanilla pudding
You may also like
- In-home newspaper written by and for homemakers and homesteaders of the Heritage Ways community world-wide
- How to Make Homemade Grape Juice
- Make Homemade Wild Violet Jelly this Spring
- Ladies, Make This Switch for Your Health’s Sake — White Rose Linen
FAQ
Are any of these ingredients optional?
Yes, the primary ingredients are dried elderberries, water and honey. Any of the other ingredients may be excluded.
Where can I find elderberries?
After living in both Tennessee and Ohio and traveling across the eastern part of the United States, I can attest that elderberry plants grow wild and thick everywhere I have been. The trick is to learn to spot them. Learn how to identify them. Also, plants are easy-to-grow when purchased or shared from a friend.
If no access to free elderberries is available, dried elderberries may be purchased in health food stores and online.
How much elderberry syrup should I take?
During a sickness episode, adults should take 1 to 2 tablespoons per day or every 3-4 hours. Children may take 1 to 2 teaspoons per day. It is best to begin taking the syrup as soon as an illness presents itself. Elderberry syrup is often taken a few times per week by those who wish to build or maintain immunity.
Can I overdose on elderberry syrup?
No, you can’t overdose on elderberry syrup as it is not considered a medication, anymore than you can overdose on orange juice.
Spiced Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Spiced Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- In large saucepan, add add ingredients except sugar and honey. Bring mixture to a boil, stirring frequently. Cook on medium-high until reduced by about half. This may take around 20 minutes.
- Set a large strainer over a bowl. Be sure the bowl is large enough to hold the liquid.
- Remove mixture from heat and pour into strainer. Use a large spoon to stir the mixture inside the strainer, encouraging it to strain as much as possible.
- The resulting liquid should measure close to half of the original water amount that was used.
- Return the liquid to the stockpot and add sugar. Bring mixture to boil and stir frequently. Boil up to 10 minutes, or until desired consistency is reached.
- Turn off heat and allow mixture to cool about 5 minutes. Add honey. Stir until melted and combined. Allow to cool slightly before funneling into desired jars. Refer to Notes on this recipe.
Notes
Sign-up HERE for a FREE Weekly Email from Mrs. Katie on Homemaking Topics
Do you like recipes that are family-favorites and tried-and-true comfort food?
Years ago my Mr. Patient and children encouraged me to write down many of their favorite recipes in one book. My first cookbook, From Katie’s Kitchen, Vol. One, includes 205 of the recipes that they requested. This book has become a fan favorite with Heritage Ways homemakers world-wide. Get your copy HERE and start making many of the recipes that our family has been cooking for generations.
Long for old-fashioned ways?? Receive the Heritage Ways in-home newspaper written by AND for homemakers. Click HERE to read all about it!
Follow & Share Heritage Ways on socials
The Heritage Ways Diligent Homemaker’s Commitment
As Diligent Homemakers, we do the best we can with the resources we have at the time. These resources include our time, physical health and energy, money and possessions. We commit to using these God-given resources to the best of our abilities and give ourselves grace in the process.
Lazy hands make for poverty but diligent hands bring wealth.
Proverbs 10:4 of The Holy Bible, NIV
Count your blessings and know you are loved,
Mrs. Katie of Heritage Ways
MEDICAL DISCLAIMER: Neither Mrs. Katie nor anyone associated with Heritage Ways is a medical doctor, a medical professional, a dietician, or a nutritionist. All content found on the HeritageWays.com website, YouTube Channel, or social media, including: text, images, videos, or other formats were created solely for informational purposes only. The content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding medical condition or proper nutritional advice. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something watched on this video or read on the corresponding website. Use caution when following the recipe or information in this video. The creator and publisher of this video will not be held responsible for any adverse effects that may arise from the use of this information or any other recipe/information on this channel and the corresponding website.
