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Homemade Elderberry Syrup
This homemade Elderberry Syrup is a perfect natural remedy to help prepare for cold and flu season! Enjoy the delicious rich berry flavor and warming spices by the spoonful, added to drinks, or even drizzled on top of your favorite dishes.
Servings: 2.5 Cups
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 3 cups water
- 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1 inch piece of fresh ginger peeled and sliced or minced
- 3 whole cloves or ¼ tsp ground cloves
- 2 star anise optional
- 1 cup agave nectar light or dark agave
Instructions
- 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.
- Remove the saucepan from the heat, and allow the mixture to cool for about 10 minutes or until safe to handle.
- 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.
- 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.
Notes
Storage Directions
- 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.
- 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.
Nutrition
Calories: 328kcal | Carbohydrates: 81g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.04g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 23mg | Potassium: 204mg | Fiber: 6g | Sugar: 60g | Vitamin A: 359IU | Vitamin C: 36mg | Calcium: 67mg | Iron: 2mg