Hippocrates is said to have called the elder plant his “medicine chest,” and for thousands of years its therapeutic properties have been revered in folk medicine. (1)
Now studies are starting to confirm what tradition has long held: elderberries are a delicious and effective way to support immune function during cold and flu season. (2)
Unlike fire cider, which supports the immune system through an apple cider vinegar infusion of pungent and spicy herbs, this elderberry syrup recipe uses a sweet and simple decoction of berries and honey.
It’s delicious, kid-approved, and super easy to make. We’ll dive into the benefits soon, but as always I want to mention that none of these statements have been evaluated by the FDA, this article is not medical advice, and it is not meant to diagnose or treat any condition. Now that we’ve got that out of the way, let’s dive in.
So, what is elderberry syrup exactly?
It’s an herbal syrup, which is a decoction (long-simmered tea) mixed with a sweetener such as raw honey to extend the shelf life. Elderberry syrup is typically made with black elderberry (Sambucus nigra), but can also be made with sweet elderberry (Sambucus canadensis).
Both varieties are rich in constituents that have long been revered for their ability to support healthy immune function, cardiovascular health, and more.
Elderberries yield a syrup that is sweet and delicious, which makes it easier to get family members on board about taking it. They’re also rich in antioxidants such as anthocyanins and quercetin, which have health benefits we’ll discuss below.
Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
According to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, “Travel through any European country in wintertime, and you’ll find a variety of elder products lining pharmacy shelves.” (3)
That’s because the compounds in elderberries work synergistically to support the body in a variety of ways. Here’s an overview:
Immune Support
Elderberries are one of the most concentrated sources of a flavonoid called anthocyanin, which is found in lower amounts in blueberries and blackberries. Anthocyanins are potent antioxidants that have immune supporting properties. (4)
In this Norwegian study, researchers found that flu patients who received elderberry extract noticed a reduction in symptoms about four days sooner than those who received a placebo. Another study conducted at the University of Sydney found similar results.
Elderberries are also a good source of betacarotene (a precursor to vitamin A), calcium, magnesium, potassium, vitamin B6, iron, valerianic acid, viburnic and shikimic acids, tyrosine, and other health supporting alkaloids. (5)
They’re also naturally rich in vitamin C, but cooking breaks down vitamin C and elderberries need to be cooked before they’re consumed. If you eat more than a small handful of fresh berries, they can have a laxative effect and cause digestive upset.
Respiratory & Sinus Support
According to The Herbal Apothecary, elderberries support the body’s natural process of resolving excess phlegm.
Cardiovascular Support
Elderberries are rich in a flavonoid called quercetin that supports the strength and integrity of capillaries. For people already within normal range, quercetin can support optimal blood pressure levels. (6)
The antioxidants in elderberry also support cardiovascular health by protecting lipids from oxidation. (7)
Vitamin C Absorption
The flavonoids in elderberries also help the body absorb vitamin C, which is essential for processes like collagen synthesis in addition to immune function. (8)
Ways To Use Elderberry Syrup
- In elderberry gummies
- Added to smoothies
- Drizzled over grain-free pancakes or waffles
- Stirred into dairy-free coconut yogurt or oatmeal
- As a sweetener for tea
- Mixed with sparkling water and a squeeze of lemon to make a mocktail
How To Make Elderberry Syrup (Video)
As I cover in this post on different types of herbal preparations, dried berries need a little coaxing to release their therapeutic compounds. The best way to extract their goodness is to simmer them in water for 20-60 minutes (depending on the type of berry and what you’re making).
Here’s a video that shows the step-by-step process for making elderberry syrup. If you prefer written instructions, you’ll find them in the next section below.
Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- ½ cup dried organic elderberries (or 1 cup fresh elderberries)
- 2 cups water
- 1 cup raw honey *
- 1-2 tbsp fresh ginger root, grated or minced (optional)
- 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
Instructions
- Add water, elderberries and ginger/cinnamon (if you're using them) to a pot and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer until liquid is reduced by half. This should take around 45 minutes.
- Pour the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth to remove the berries. Allow liquid to cool to room temperature, then stir in the honey.
- Transfer elderberry syrup to a mason jar (or other glass jar with a lid) and refrigerate.
Notes
Nutrition
Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to the most common questions I’ve received over the years. If you don’t see your question mentioned, please leave it in the comments below!
What is the shelf life?
It will keep in the refrigerator for several months, which is plenty long for my family since my kids always make sure to get their teaspoon full. If you want to extend the shelf life even further, though, you can use replace 1/2 of the honey with brandy.
Can I use maple syrup or glycerin instead of honey?
Yes. Glycerin is sweet like honey and also helps extend shelf life. From what I’ve read, syrups made with glycerin should have a similar shelf life to those made with honey.
Maple syrup will work but it will reduce the shelf life significantly. One way to get around that would be to freeze it in ice cube trays and thaw every few days as needed.
What if I don’t have time to make my own elderberry syrup?
My top choice would be Genexa’s Kids Immune Support, which is made with organic elderberry and other clinically supported ingredients like marshmallow root and echinacea.
It’s a great alternative to homemade elderberry syrup when life feels too full to make extra batches, and even though it says “kids” in the name I’ve found it’s potent enough to use for me to use, too.
How much elderberry syrup much should I take?
Though highly valued for their therapeutic purposes, elderberries are a food. They’re used to make pie, jelly and wine, so there isn’t a specific “dosage” for them any more than there is one for dark cherries.
That said here are some guidelines that have been traditionally followed:
- To support immune function throughout cold and flu season – One-half to one teaspoon per day for children, and one and a half teaspoons to tablespoon for adults.
- During illness – The frequency of administration increases to every 2-3 hours until the symptoms resolve.
I’ve heard that people with autoimmune conditions should not take elderberry. Is that true?
According to Katja Swift and Ryn Midura, founders of the CommonWealth Center for Holistic Herbalism and co-authors of Herbal Medicine for Beginners, “Unlike some immune-stimulating herbs, elder is typically well tolerated in individuals with autoimmune conditions.”
Is elderberry syrup safe to use when pregnant or breastfeeding?
According to the AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook, elderberries are a Safety Class 1A herb, which is described as:
“Herbs that can be safely consumed when used appropriately.
- History of safe traditional use
- No case reports of significant adverse events with high probability of causality
- No significant adverse events in clinical trials
- No identified concerns for use during pregnancy or lactation
- No innately toxic constituents
- Toxicity associated with excessive use is not a basis for exclusion from this class
- Minor or self-limiting side effects are not bases for exclusion from this class”
However, as mentioned above, consuming raw, fresh elderberries can cause digestive upset and a laxative effect.
Can I use fresh elderberry juice instead of tea?
Uncooked elderberries contain a compound that can cause nausea and GI symptoms. Heat breaks down the compound so that it doesn’t cause issues, so I only recommend using tea.
Technically you could heat the fresh elderberry juice to deactivate the compound, but since I have not done it personally I can’t advise on the best approach.
Can I reuse the berries to make more than one batch?
Some people do. The second batch won’t be as potent, but it will still have some therapeutic properties.
Can I make elderberry syrup in my Instant Pot pressure cooker?
It’s definitely possible, but when I researched methods they seemed to involve more hassle than the traditional stovetop method so I haven’t tried them.
More Elderberry Recipes
When you order a bag of elderberries to make this syrup, chances are you’ll have some leftover. You can use it to make:
Elderberry & Strawberry Jam – When you’re making a batch of elderberry syrup, adding in a few quick additional steps will yield a jar of syrup AND jam for just .000001% more effort.
Elderberry Tea – This easy version is delicious and can be adapted to include other herbs that go well with elderberries. Echinacea is a great one to include.
Fizzy Elderberry Soda – This soda is a delicious way to support immune function naturally.
There are two simple methods for making it: A five minute version and a fermented version that’s chock-full of probiotics.
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Sources:
1. American Botanical Council. The ABC Clinical Guide To Elderberry.
2. Gladstar, Rosemary (2012) Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herbs: 33 Healing Herbs to Know, Grow and Use
3, Ozgen, Mustafa et. al. (2010) Total phenolic, anthocyanin contents and antioxidant capacity of selected elderberry (Sambucus canadensis L.) accessions
4. Charlebois, D. (2007) Elderberry as a Medicinal Plant
I love the video! My toddler loves it as well, and I heard her saying ‘syrup time!’ playing with her kitchen toys earlier 😉
I’m curious, although there isn’t really an overdose possible, is it true that the therapeutic properties might be lessened if you take it every day?
I’ve heard it recommended to take a week off every week or so (assuming you’re not sick!) so that it has more effect, kind of like what’s recommended for echinacea and such. It would be great to take it all the time though – especially because it makes a great carrier for cod liver oil! I float the FCLO on top and can hardly taste it 🙂
I’ve heard this to be true especially for herbs such as echinacea as it is similar to an antibiotic– if overused, it will no longer be effective. Specifically for echinacea, one should only take/use at the onset of illness for a few days at a time. As for elderberries, I have heard a few differing remarks from certified herbalists. Most that I have asked or talked to have said it is okay to take on a daily or semi-frequent basis, and then I had one tell me that “too much is not good”. I asked her why and here is her response. I have not done the research, but only sharing what she shared with me so take it as you will: “It works by eliciting an enhanced immune response and raises cytokine levels in the body. Short term this is perfectly fine. However long term raised levels of cytokines have been linked to behavior issues in children.” Personally, I give this on a more frequent basis during the sick months in the later fall/winter when we are unable to get very much vitamin D and our immune systems are not as great, and really only as needed (onset of illness, if we were around others who were sick, etc.) as an immune booster during the rest of the time. This is all just what we do. I would suggest asking a certified herbalist(s) for the best answer:)
I just looked back at my notes from a herbal teaching video given by a certified herbalist, and she mentioned “use conservatively to gauge a response”. These videos were part of the Healthy living bundle from the Bulk Herb Store.
What a great discussion here! Here are my thoughts on frequency:
One of the benefits of eating seasonally, other than freshness and better flavor, is that it cycles the foods we eat naturally. This seems to be how we do best, so I try to simulate that as much as possible. We take elderberry during cold/flu season, but not during the rest of the year. And we take breaks occasionally even during the season, skipping a day or more here and there. Hope that helps!
I am getting ready to make some for the first time. I was wondering how long any of us should be taking it. I will only use it when someone is sick. I would think its ok to take it every two days when not sick but to keep the immune up as we do get sick when around people or kids from school. thanks 🙂
This is what I need to do. Taking Elderberry Syrup everyday can get hard. I usually try and take it when someone is sick in our family. I am taking like vitamin D3 because we have sporadic days of sunshine still. I do have to take vitamin B-12 in the form of methylcobalamin and methylfolate. I had a DNA test done and it showed I was missing the gene or the ability to convert the Vitamin B-12 and folic acid would cancel out the Vitamin B-12, Folate will give me the vitamin I need. Well that is some of it. I would have to find my report. Anyway being older (72) I have to realize my immune system can be lower. So reading your info and recipes really helps me. I appreciate your site!
I buy sambucol in the uk…about 8 pounds a bottle x
cee cee… They grow prolifically in the woods etc of the UK, and you could save that money and go pick bunches of your own.. it so easy to make..:D and far superior to shop bought Sambucol..:)
Hi, I have just looked at the elderberry syrup, oh yes and thank you for that, I think it is much needed in my house.
My dgtr just told me about this and since I do not take the flu shots and am 77 I am going to try it!
This is really spectacular .. I love that you provide all this reputable information AND instructions. I had no idea! Thanks so much I’ll be making it 🙂
So glad you found it helpful, Marquis!
About how much does this make? And, if stored in the fridge– how long will this keep? This is on my home remedy to-do list for the upcoming fall/winter seasons:)
It makes about 2.5 cups, and in my experience usually lasts throughout one winter season.
How can it make 2.5 c with only 2 cups of water? Not trying to be snarky….I always double this recipe and I know I let it reduce too much and am left with under 2 cups. 🙁 Can I just add more water back in?
Ahhh, I’m so glad you caught that! I think I adjusted the recipe ratios and forgot to update that section. It should yield about 2 cups. The elderberry decoction is reduced by about half during simmering and the honey is one cup.
Why my homemade elderberry syrup coagulating? I put them in the fridge.
Is the homemade elderberry syrup something that I can can? Then I will have a ready supply when I need it.
I have seen other posts that say it only is good for a week? Does the honey really act as a preservative so it actually has a long shelf/fridge life or? I can’t seem to find solid info on this. I was thinking of adding extra vitamin c powder as extra preservative and C….what are your thoughts?
The sources I’ve read say that if the ratio of honey to water is high enough that it will last for quite awhile.
This must be my problem! I do not like it too sweet and I must have just not put enough honey in it because it keeps going bad.
Always enjoy your posts. Find them very useful and appropriate for our lifestyle.
We have been using elderberries for some time. I use dried organic elderberries. I put them in my crockpot on low over night with the lid cracked. In the morning the liquid is reduced by half usually. Then instead of adding honey (since the enzymes will kill the kefir) …i use the cooled liquid along with a small amount of coconut sugar to make elderberry water kefir! Kids love it!!!! Plus you get the added benefit of probiotics with the kefir!
Is your honey raw? I thought that raw honey (with all the properties), would be mostly solid unless heated.
The link above for where to get Elderberries says page not found. Do you have another source for where to get them!? We bought some ready-made syrup a couple weeks ago for the first bout of colds here and it worked wonderfully! Would love to make my own. 🙂
Oops! Thanks for letting me know, Kayla. I just updated the link to a new source I sometimes buy from 🙂
Can you post the link where I can buy it. Thanks
I was surfing elderberry syrup and could not find where to purchase. Tell me please.
The link still doesn’t work. It just takes me to Amazon’s homepage.?
Mountain Rose Herbs usually carries them.
I have been looking everywhere… Where can I find dried berries?
Hi Alicia, there’s a link for them in the ingredient section 🙂
Yes, sure is!! Pregnancy brain at it’s best.
Speaking of which, do you know if it is safe to take while pregnant? I am due shortly, within the next 3.5 weeks, if not sooner, and wanted to see if it was safe for pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Hey Alicia,
I hope labor was all you hoped it would be and that your little babe is doing well. I also became a mom on the 25th of October! Not sure if you found your answer yet but from my research yes it is safe for both.
If the berries are dry, is it safe to say that you don’t have to worry about them being poisonous? My DH read about elderberries being poisonous and is nervous for me to give it to our DD. I bought a batch of organic dried elderberries and follow your recipe exactly!
How would you store the syrup? I have a friend of mine that says no metal lids. It is hard to find a glass jar without a metal lid…
I use a metal lid and I can’t think of a reason not to. The syrup doesn’t touch the lid. 🙂
I used jar with metal lids. I always shake it before I use the syrup and it touches the lid. What’s wrong if the syrup touches the lid?
It’s a total nightmare to get my son to take anything that resembles medicine…but he loves warm milk as a treat. Any reason I couldn’t add it to a small cup of warm milk? I am a huge fan of elderberry syrup and have been using it for a few years, this year I am getting the rest of the family on board.
Adding it to milk or tea is totally fine. 🙂
Are there any benefits to making elderberry syrup over making an elderberry glycerite? I usually tend toward the latter since it’s more shelf-stable, but wondered if there were beneficial properties specific to the syrup?
I think there are probably benefits to both. Raw honey has beneficial compounds that are thought to work synergistically with elderberry, but glycerites have the benefit of being sweet without impacting blood sugar. I think both are wonderful.
I’d love an answer to this question as well, so I’m commenting here in hopes that it will come to more people’s attention who may be able to shed light on this.
Can you take elderberry syrup if you are expecting?
According to the AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook, elderberries are a Safety Class 1A herb, which is described as having “No identified concerns for use during pregnancy or lactation.” With that said, I cannot offer medical advice and you should talk with your healthcare provider about any herbs or supplements you are considering. 🙂
Hi Heather,
I love natural remedies and illness prevention methods. But I always have this one question in my mind, during sickness when do I switch from natural remedies to the doctor recommended ones like Tylenol and Advil? I have a 27 month old boy, he is currently having cold and congestion since last 2 days, I started giving him a herbal syrup, also have been applying diluted EOs on his feet, chest and back. But last night he had some fever 100 deg on his forehead. I gave him tylenol because I didn’t want his fever to spike and lead to seizure. I feel guilty about giving him Tylenol or Advil, but then there is also a worry about him getting a seizure. When do you switch to Tylenol or Advil, and do you still continue with home remedies when giving Tylenol? Thank you. Waiting for your reply.
Personally I’ve never treated a fever that was under 103.5, and actually got a handout from my non-holistic pediatrician about letting fevers do their jobs (under 3 months is much more worrisome), which confirmed even more that they are not the “enemy”. From what I’ve gathered febrile seizures aren’t going to cause brain damage as previously believed, so while scary, that is not of any concern. I’d be more worried about whatever infection the body is fighting than the fever itself, and try to support the immune system. If a fever is getting too high for my comfort level, there are dozens of ways to bring it down naturally. If one doesn’t work I move onto the next one. My 4 month old had a fever of 103.3 for about 36 hours a couple weeks ago, and after 24 hours I took her to the doctor only to rule out ear infections as we were going on an airplane the next day. Her pediatrician didn’t seemed concerned about her “high” fever, just looked her over, swabbed her and sent us on our way with instructions to report back if her condition changed. It got better the next morning and she was fine.
Thank you, Kierstan.
With young children/infants they struggle to release ‘heat’ ‘pathogens and thus the extreme dry fevers (no sweat)… gua sha a (can be) gentle scraping technique can help bring out the heat/drops temperature but for children at risk of febrile seizure fold the ear forward and at the apex prick quickly releasing spot of blood. this clears the heat in the blood level leading to convulsions. Do with the gua sha (plenty of you tube videos). Very handy to clear colds, chest lurgies, vomiting etc…. all a part of traditional chinese medicine/ asian traditions
Has anyone blend the elderberries in a blender and include that in the syrup?
Can you consume elderberries that way?
Thank you for the video!
After boiling it, I blend it with a stick blender, then strain it. It tends to want to hold the liquid in the pulp, so I put it in the strainer with a bowl of the same size on top and put a weight in it to let it drain. Once drained, measure to be sure that you have the correct volume of liquid. If not, mix the pulp in with an appropriate amount of water and strain again. I use the remaining pulp to add to yogurt or applesauce, or I mix with applesauce and dehydrate to make fruit leathers. (I did a lot of research to be sure that, this was safe, since it contains the seeds.) I’ve also used it to flavor water kefir.
Note: Take the cinnamon stick out before blending.
Hey so the lady that said she did hers in her crock pot has a good point I think, if you have it on low will it not kill the good enzymes and vitamins? I know syrup is usually boiled but I hate to lose the good stuff in fresh fruit, what are your thoughts on that?
Are you supposed to strain the elderberries out before adding the honey? I don’t see that mentioned. Thanks.
Just made the syrup and the house smells wonderful. I was wondering whether I can make a second less concentrated batch of elderberry syrup from the strained elderberries. I am sure there is still a lot of goodness in them. Don’t feel like tossing them out. Please advise. Thanks for the recipe.
Has anybody tried re-using the berries? I have same question as Peter has.
I reuse mine twice, then mix both batches together. I’m sure the second batch is not as potent as the first, but I just can’t justify throwing all those berries away after just one use, it seems like wasting money to me. There’s not much of a difference taste-wise between the first and second batch, maybe just a little more watered down.
I sometimes even reuse the berries a third time and use that as more of a “juice” for my kids every now and then.
I’d love to hear other people’s opinions on or experiences with reusing the berries.
I just finished making my very first batch of this delicious syrup.
I was wondering too if you could reuse the berries. I decided to make a big pot of tea to drink hot or cold. Next time around, I’ll make 2 batches of syrup AND some tea.
You can take the cinnamon sticks out, put the rest in the blender with a little bit of water and blend it up. Then use in place of “fruit” when making muffins. However, I use a different blend of “elderberry mix”. The kind I use has rose hips, cloves and other good things in it.
I made some elderberry syrup a couple months ago, and have stored it in the fridge. I opened it today and it seemed fizzy. Can elderberry syrup ferment? And is it still safe to consume?
I make fire cider and elderberry syrup. Is there a reason why I can’t add the elderberries to my fire cider mix and make one thing instead of two?
You can definitely add elderberries to it if you want to. It shouldn’t affect the curing process. Let me know how it tastes!
Heather,
I have a bag of organic dried elderberries. Do they store well in the freezer?
Hi Lisette, I’m honestly not sure. I keep mine in the pantry 🙂
Okay thanks! I just put mine in the pantry as well. My syrup is all finished and it tastes pretty good! Just gave my family a dose of it!
Hi! I want to make this recipe, but I am currently breastfeeding and have read that it could be dangerous to take it; Could you clarify for me? Would this be okay to take daily as a preventative measure while breast feeding my 2 month old?
Thanks!
According to the AHPA Botanical Safety Handbook, elderberries are a Safety Class 1A herb, which is described as having “No identified concerns for use during pregnancy or lactation.” I personally took it while breastfeeding. That said, I cannot offer medical advice and you should talk with your healthcare provider about any herbs or supplements you are considering. 🙂
Do you know if this will work/still taste ok if i use 1/4 cup honey instead? Raw honey is just so spendy and I’m really hoping to make my current jar last a bit longer! Thank you!
The honey is needed because it helps extend shelf life. 🙂
Leah, The honey provides a good bit of antiviral properties, so I wouldn’t suggest you skimp on it. Think of the money you are saving in doctor bills! Worth every penny!
Hi,
My daughter came down with Influenza (confirmed by lab work). How much would you recommend to give her? Dr advised to give her Tamiflu, but I don’t want to 😭 but I wonder if this would be enough. My other daughter is going on a trip next week and I was advised to give her Tamiflu as well for prevention. Any thoughts?
hello! I am in the process of making this recipe and I got distracted and put the honey in right along with the berries and water, will this still work to make the syrup?!
Ugh, I just did this too!! ? How did yours turn out? Or should I just start over? So much honey wasted
I made this about 8 months ago, then traveled to Europe, then came home and was busy with my daughter’s wedding, continued to be busy and my elderberry syrup ended up in the back of the refrigerator and forgotten. Now that I’ve rediscovered it, is it still okay & healthful to use or should I dump it and start fresh?
I cooked the syrup too long and have no liquid. Amazingly, it didn’t scorch, but I don’t want to waste it! Can I add water and cook down again? Any suggestions? Help!
Hi Heather! Do you (or can you) use the elderberries for anything after you’ve made the syrup? I just made some for the first time (so excited!) and the berries look to beautiful to just discard… 🙂
i made it with the cinnamon stick and ginger. it’s delicious!! thanks, heather!
I like to mix the syrup with sparkling water.
Im looking for a recipe without honey to give to an 8 month old…. cant find one anywhere other than just omitting it. Id like some sweetness…could I use apple juice instead of the water?
Hi Carol, I personally would focus on other ways to boost immune function for a baby under one. 🙂
Agave?
Could you make a half batch by halving the ingredients and boiling it less? Or do the berries need to cook for 45 minutes regardless?
As I cover in this post on different types of herbal preparations, roots, bark, dried berries and woody plant parts need a little coaxing to release their therapeutic compounds. They need to simmer in water for 20-60 minutes depending on the herb and what you’re trying to achieve. It is possible to cut this recipe in half, but I’d probably use a minimum simmering time of 30 minutes. I’m not exactly sure how much liquid that will yield, but you’ll want to have equal parts elderberry infusion and honey in the final product.
Your recipe doesn’t call for raw honey and you didn’t use raw honey in your video. You might note to your viewers that it is very important to use RAW HONEY because of the vitamins, enzymes, and natural antioxidants that it contains. Regular honey has been processed and no longer contains these benefits. You were correct in letting the elderberry mix to cool prior to adding the honey, it’s just that the honey has to be raw. When raw honey is heated it loses the aforementioned benefits. The label will specifically say “Raw” on a jar of raw honey which I suggest purchasing in a glass jar, not plastic. If you cannot find raw honey then I suggest not adding any honey into your elderberry syrup or if you still choose to use processed honey, know that the only benefit you are getting from it is its sweetness.
Heather, my question is should we use tinted bottles to hold this syrup? I notice that the store brought bottles always come in darker tinted bottles so perhaps this is important?
I think most store bought brands come with a stabilizer that allows them to be stored at room temperature. If it’s sitting on the counter I can see why the dark bottle would be helpful in preventing oxidation, but since I keep mine in the fridge (which is dark most of the time) I don’t really think a dark bottle is necessary.
Thanks, that makes perfect sense! I’m sure glad not to be consuming extra preservatives when I least need them, by making this homemade 🙂
I’m going to make this recipe for my 6 and 12 year is, but I have a 6month old with congestion and cough. Any suggestions for him since he cant have honey?
A NoseFrida Baby Nasal Aspirator is great for clearing stuffy noses, and Genexa makes a saline spray that’s specifically for babies. If they are breastfeeding, some mamas also squirt breastmilk in their babies nose. 🙂
Hello, going to make this as soon as I receive the berries. Can I give this to my 19 month old?
Can you just whizz up the berries and add them to the syrup? Or back into an apple crumble or something?
It is better to mash with a masher during the heating process rather than using an electronic blender, encouraging the elder berries to release their juices. Remove all stems before heating and strain the mash through a fine material to remove the seeds. Both the stems and the seeds have an emetic effect and cause vomiting and diarrhoea. That is why it is best to always follow directions.
Hi there,
Just a note about the honey.. I have cut it down in this recipe to 1/3 Cup and it’s still plenty sweet, for any of you trying to keep the intake of sugar down. Raw, real honey does have medicinal properties, of course, but if you can use less and get a great result, why not?
The honey also acts as a preservative because it is antibacterial, and it has other health benefits as well. You could use less, but it probably won’t last as long and you’ll be minimizing some of those benefits. It’s not like sugar, which has no nutritive properties. Not to mention it’s not much of a syrup that way. 😉
Today I made your syrup recipe and only added the ginger. (And I will add the honey when it reaches room temperature). When I opened the bag of elderberries, it had a very strong smell. Is this normal? After simmering for 30-45 minutes – I did not get the same amount (2 1/2 cups…I must have simmered more of the water away). But the smell is still pretty dominant and my family (who is sensitive to smells) will not consume it. Do I have a batch of “bad berries” or is this normal. This is the first time making my own – I have only used store bought in the past. Please help!
Hi Robyn, I haven’t noticed a strong smell with mine, but since that’s so subjective I’m not sure that it’s any help to you. If it were me I’d taste it and compare with previous batches I’d consumed.
Hey! I tried making this and it only made about 1/2 cup before adding the honey, so I feel bad adding an entire cup of honey to it. Any guess as to what I did wrong? Maybe I let it cook down to long?
It could be that the low setting on your stovetop runs a little hotter than mine so more evaporated from the pot. I would add 1/2 cup honey to your liquid. It will be potent and delicious. 🙂
Hi Mommypotamus!
Firstly, I would like to thank you for such comprehensive instructions… there are many sites with many versions, but they are seldom so easy to follow 🙂
Secondly, I was wondering if this is the type of Elderberry syrup that you can dilute and drink like a fruit squash? Her in the Netherlands, Syrup/Cordial/Juice is kinda the same thing 😛
Thank you!
So sorry, but I am not familiar with fruit squash. I suppose you could dilute this and drink it, but I have never tried 🙂
I think it’s similar to a fruit-ade. Like lemon squash is similar to lemonade, but not quite exactly the same….
Could one use maple syrup in place of honey? How would that impact the recipe and its effects?
Yes, you could. It’s an especially good option for kids under 1 yo. But do keep in mind that raw honey (or any honey) has antimicrobial qualities and acts as a terrific preserver, in addition to the enzymes and other nutrients to be found in it. So if you use maple syrup, my advice would be to cook the syrup again after adding the syrup, so the syrup comes to a high temp also. It’s already been cooked a LONG time before it became syrup, so there won’t be any enzymes left to kill. Then put it in a sterilized jar. It won’t stay sterilized, since it will be opened at regular intervals, but if it starts with no bacteria, the syrup is likely to last longer. On the other hand, if you make small batches like will be used up quickly, those steps may not be necessary.
And then again, honey has a lot of disease-fighting qualities that maple syrup may not have. (Maple syrup extract has been showing promise in helping antibiotics to work more effectively, but I haven’t seen anything that says it is antibacterial, antifungal, or antiviral on its own. Maybe others will know more on that subject.)
So the short answer is yes, you can sub maple syrup for honey, but keep in mind their different qualities. If you are able to use honey, it’s probably the better option, but if not, then maple syrup should be a good substitute, I’d think.
Hi, A short story- I made the syrup last year but we only seem to remember to use it when we are sick and my son doesn’t like it. Recently I found a bottle of Biotta elderberry juice in Whole Foods. No one liked the taste so I dumped it in to a large mixture of apple cider and water (2 gallons). My son and I drink this mainly. My son and I get sick often due to MTHFR- but this time, my husband who never gets sick (and doesn’t drink our juice) was terribly ill while we were fine. Once the juice ran out, my son and I got a cold. I’m currently trying to create a Biotta like juice with my dried elderberries to mix in with the apple cider again. My son misses his “cherry juice”lol. (and we are sick) I’m just trying to figure out what a good ratio would be?
I just made this finally, it reduced do much while cooking, there’s barely any juice left. So disappointed! Even if I added the honey once I strain it. It would mostly be honey. How much elderberry liquid should there after cooking? It simmered low whole time….
Hi Audrey, the goal is for it to reduce by about half as it simmers. It sounds like yours may be super concentrated. If so, you can add in a little water to dilute it a little and then mix with the honey.
HI! Wondering about adding a little lemon zest? Has anyone tried this?
I haven’t tried adding the zest to the syrup, but I do add it to my elderberry popsicles. The flavor is even better, in my opinion (and my 3-yo loves it, too). I put a bit of syrup in a measuring cup, add a roughly equal amount of lemon juice, then sometimes add another juice (like cranberry or black cherry) and mix that up. I taste it to make sure the flavors balance well and then top it off with water. (I add about 3/4 as much water as other ingredients: so if the other ingredients end up being 1 cup, I’d add roughly 3/4 cup of water. But that suits our tastes and you could do it differently.) Popsicles are a great way to get kids to take their medicine!
I know that doesn’t exactly answer answer your question, but hopefully it is helpful as a flavor guide regarding the lemon. I think the lemon really helps balance and improve the elderberry and honey flavors.
I wonder if this can be done in a crockpot?
Heather, I added equal parts of horehound, and the syrup is really bitter. This is my 3rd time making it (first two w/o horehound and it was delightful). What’s the ratio I should use if I include horehound? Do you have tips for taking the bitterness out? Thanks!
I just added the honey in the beginning with water and elderberry.. Did I just ruin the batch?
Curious, can you reuse the berries to make more than one batch?
Love this recipe! You said it makes 2 1/2 cups but we are only starting with two cups water…mine ended up with about a cup of juice. Just wondering if we are actually supposed to start with more water? Thanks!
Oddly, even in the refrigerator, my batch has fermented. When tasted, it has a slight fizzy taste. Is it okay to still take?
Yep! We don’t get sick here often, so mine lasted for way over a year. It was fizzy with fermentation and the kids loved it even more. It’s been awhile since the first fizzy spoonful…haven’t died yet :-p
My baby is almost 11 months old, so I can’t give her honey yet. I read somewhere that I can substitute organic sugar or maple syrup for the honey to make it safe for babies. What do you think? Wouldn’t sugar lessen the immune boost?
I did this Elderberry syrup this weekend. It was so simple and came out very yummy. My kids love it. I did it exactly the way you did it. Easy recipe following your very well explained step by step instructions. Thank you Mommypotamus! 🙂
Just wanted to stop by and say thanks for the recipe! I’ve made three batches this season using the base of your recipe 🙂 The finished product fits PERFECTLY in a large Carlson’s Fish Oil bottle.
Mine is much less like a syrup and much more like elderberry juice. Did I do something wrong?
Hi Gillian, you did it correctly. The consistency of herbal syrups is thinner than maple syrup. 🙂
Hi! I have a few questions…
Does honey act as a preservative? I’m wondering how this can safely last an entire winter season? I’m new to making my own, well everything, and I’m not able to come up with many answers on the subject of using water in homemade recipes. Some places say it can last months, others give a much shorter time span. I’m confused. :(. Does using distilled water make a difference? And how long will my homemade recipes/products last using distilled water? One more question. Should I use distilled water in this recipe?
Thank you! I just can’t seem to find the answers to these questions.
Honey does help to extend the shelf life. I filtered water rather than distilled water. It will keep in the refrigerator for several months, which is plenty long for my family since my kids always make sure to get their teaspoon full. If you want to extend the shelf life even further, though, you can use replace 1/2 of the honey with brandy.
Hi there, I don’t know if you know much about Aronia berries, but since they have even higher antioxidants properties, I was wondering about dehydrating mine and making this syrup. I can only find recipes for Aronia berry syrup that would be used as a marinade or the like. I was wondering if you have any experience with Aronias/choke berry?
Robin,
You can indeed rehydrate your dried aronia berries, either soaked in water or even some alcohol like rum overnight. Please do keep in mind that making syrup offsets many of the wonderful antioxidant/anti-inflammatory properties of aronia since sugar intake triggers oxidation and inflammation in the body.
Started with 7 cups fresh elderberries picked off the stems, but only added about 7 cups water rather than 1:2 ratio as suggested in recipe. After reducing it to about half, mashing a bit, and straining, it could be described as basically juice. Definitely not like the “syrup” sold with cold/flu medicines, unless maybe you add as much honey as was suggested.
I only added 1 cup raw honey & thought it made it sufficiently sweet to be palatable. Not complaining though, because raw honey is expensive! Probably next time I will only just barely cover the berries with water to develop more of a syrup consistency. The juice is still good though and I will use it.
I didn’t add ginger & cinnamon so can’t comment there.
Thank you for this wonderful recipe! Back to school and fall starting has brought my kids home with the ickies. Just finished my 1st batch and can’t wait to use it on the family. Keep up the great work! ?
Can you use the dried flowers instead of the berries? I mistakenly bought the flowers and made a batch…
Yes, although different elderflower syrup is also considered beneficial. 🙂
Just made my first batch! can not wait to try it out on the kids tomorrow. Question about the honey. The raw honey that I got from the farm were we get our raw milk from is solid. I understand getting honey hot is not the best however I was not sure how it would mix with the syrup so I tried to slowly get it into liquid form in a bowl over a pan of steaming water. I got distracted and it really heated the honey so that was not good I guess. In the future should I make this with liquid honey and not hard?
Thanks!
You can make it with hard honey (I often do) and just give it a whir with an immersion blender or pop it in a regular blender for a sec. 🙂
Do you have a printable verson of the elderberry recipe and dosage?
I would be starting this from elderberry juice. How does that change the recipe? Thanks for any help you can offer. I’m new to this and all the recipes I’ve found start from berries.
Can we use this syrup in hypothyroidism
Have you ever tried this recipe in the Instant Pot? My thought was to use the pressure function to infuse the berries into the water. Then QR and turn the IP to saute’ to reduce it down to the correct thickness.
I had trouble getting it to reduce. What could I be doing wrong? Any suggestions?
Just keep on simmering, sometimes it take a little longer than usual. 🙂
Hi There-
Where do you buy your elderberries? I was curious to see if I should order off amazon- the dried ones?
Thanks!
Frontier is a great company and they have organic elderberries.
Making this syrup and went ahead and measured out the honey while i was bringing the other to a boil. My daughter decided it was time to pour it (honey) in when I wasn’t by looking. Is my syrup ruined? It hadn’t even had a chance to come to a boil yet, so now the honey is in there while simmering too. What are others’ thoughts on this? Can it still be used even though the honey will be cooked in with it?
Would love to know this answer too, I did the same thing!
Also wondering about shelf stability. How long can it last on the counter? Or would it ship ok to another state without ice packs?
Do you think there is an added benefit to using Manuka honey? Thank you!
I accidentally left my elderberry syrup on the counter overnight. Is it still ok!
Thanks for sharing!
I made a big mistake and didn’t realize it until 20 minutes into the simmer. I added the honey with everything else, ugh! Have I totally ruined this batch?
I made this yesterday, after having harvested some wild berries from nearby. Have taken my dose this morning, and hoping it will help me fight off Labrynthitis which I have been suffering with for the last 5 weeks now. Fingers crossed!
For laryngitis … New Zealand’s manuka honey with the ‘special Manuka factor’ which is lab tested to strictly verify the anti-biotic quality IS THE BEST TREATMENT that I have ever found. I used to get laryngitis every couple of years. Now-never! The bottle cost me $100.00 (Canadian) but I keep it in the medicine are and the bottle has lasted me over 4 years.
NEVER use it like regular honey unless you have a very high income to support such a fabulous indulgence. Just take a teaspoon of the raw honey, slowly swallowing so that the honey coats your throat & begins to do it’s magic. I no longer suffer from the condition at all! There are many YouTube video’s by Peter Molan – study them and learn. Amazing honey! I am dedicated to this elite medicinal honey which is strictly tested and respected for it’s antibiotic qualities that also work wonders on virus’.
I hope that this advice helps you.
I reduced mine too much and inky got 1/2 cup of the elderberry syrup. Should I add more water to bring it up to a cup before adding the honey?
how much is ok to take?
Hi Juliet, I think you’ll find the info you are looking for in the section of the post titled “How Much Elderberry Should I Take?’
Can I do I’m crockpot? And can this be canned?
Thanks
Joy
Can you can elderberry syrup so it can be stored until ready to use? After opening put in fridge?
I haven’t done much canning so I’m not sure.
My son just turned one a few days ago but I still have not introduced any sweetness into his diet (honey, maple syrup, stevia or any sugars) with the exception of fruit. Think I could substitute the honey for some steamed puréed apples to add sweetness?
Thanks!
Possibly but it would limit the shelf life to a few days.
Does this have to be pressure canned to avoid botulism? Or is it ok to store it in a small medicine jar in the fridge?
Is this juice safe in winter season or not ?
I can’t figure out how this lasts you a whole winter season? I’ve been making elderberry syrup for a few years now. I take a tablespoon a day and give my daughters (4 & 2) a teaspoon a day. I’d say I make a batch at least once a month! Granted I use the same ingredients as you, just a bit less honey and 2/3 cup of elderberry. Also some ground cloves. It makes a little less than a quart.
I think if you are going to can the Elderberry syrup you wouldn’t add the honey until you opened the jar. I would can it like grape juice with waterbath method. I assume from the directions that you would add the same amount of honey as the amount of syrup that you have, 1:1 is this correct?
This is my first time making the syrup and it has a sour smell. Is that normal?
What about agave? I’m allergic to honey, and the glycerine option sounds gross to me 😀
Any thoughts?
I love this recipe and I’ve made it several times, but this time I am interested in using rose hips. How much of it do I use to make this?
Hi there! I was wondering if in theory I could use this exact same recipe but for another type of dried berry and/or fruit? Very excited to try this asap! Thank you 🙂
Yep! I use the same method for making rosehip syrup and ginger syrup.
I make this and my kids love it. Have you ever tried adding tumeric to it? I was thinking about trying it and wondering if it would be okay to use the spice or if I should get fresh and when to add it to the mix.
Hey Heather! I adore you and value your input on my questions regarding elderberry because I wholeheartedly trust you, your knowledge and your recipes. I’ve been making my own elderberry syrup for years, but am feeling the need to branch out this year and make it even more goodness-packed than ever.
With my most recent batch, I added (dried) hibiscus, chamomile, calendula, nettles, and dried ginger (along with my usual cinnamon sticks, cloves, fresh turmeric/ginger and lemon). But, I totally just added what I felt was right as far as measurements go with the dried herbs. The syrup came out amazing, but I want to be sure that moving forward I’m not adding too much of any of these great add ins.
For your recipe, what would you suggest the measurements of these (dried herbs) add ins I mentioned? Thank you so much in advance!