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I’m pretty giddy over here about the amazing fall weather coming, and a big batch of homemade elderberry syrup is always one of the first things I make once it arrives.
It’s still in the 90s, but something about the first of September makes me think it’s fall.
It’s become one of those cozy fall traditions I look forward to, and honestly, it’s so much easier to make than you’d think.
In this post I’ll walk you through exactly how I make it, plus a few of my favorite ways to use it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
It’s incredibly easy to make with just a few simple ingredients.
It’s budget-friendly, since a homemade batch costs a fraction of those little bottles at the store.
And it’s just plain good, rich and berry-sweet, and lovely drizzled over pancakes or stirred into a warm drink.
What You Need for This Recipe
- Dried elderberries: These are the base of the syrup. I order mine dried, and they keep for ages in the pantry.
- Ginger: Fresh or dried both work here. It adds a little warmth that I really love in this.
- Water: To simmer everything down into a syrup.
- Honey: I use raw, locally-sourced honey and stir it in at the very end. If you can find local honey, it’s worth seeking out.
How to Make Elderberry Syrup
- Add 3 cups of water, 2/3 cup dried elderberries, and 2 tablespoons of ginger to a medium saucepan.
- Bring it to a boil, then turn the heat down and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, until the liquid has reduced by nearly half. That reducing is what gives you a nice syrup instead of a thin juice.
- Take it off the heat and let it cool for a bit. Once it’s cool enough to handle, mash the berries with the back of a spoon to squeeze out all that good juice.
- Strain the liquid through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a clean jar, and toss the berries. (I give mine to the chickens!)
- Once the liquid is completely cool, stir in 1 cup of raw honey until smooth. Adding honey to hot liquid can change it, so it’s worth the wait.
- Store it in an airtight jar in the fridge.
Ways to Use It
This syrup is so versatile. A few of my favorite ways to use it:
- Drizzled over pancakes or waffles.
- Stirred into sparkling water for a homemade soda.
- Mixed into a mug of hot tea.
- Spooned over yogurt or a bowl of oatmeal.
Variations
This recipe is easy to make your own. A few things you can try:
- Toss a cinnamon stick and a few whole cloves into the pot while it simmers if you like a little spice.
- Use fresh elderberries in place of dried, about double the amount. Just be sure to cook them all the way through, since fresh elderberries are toxic raw.
- Make it in a slow cooker on low for a few hours if you’d rather not watch the stove.
Tips
- Wait until the liquid is fully cool before you add the honey, so it stays nice and smooth.
- A fine mesh strainer or a bit of cheesecloth gets you the smoothest syrup.
- Write the date on your jar so you know how fresh it is.
A Few Safety Tips
- Raw or fresh elderberries are toxic and can make you sick, so they always need to be fully cooked before you eat them. Be sure to simmer them all the way through like the recipe says, and that cooking is what makes them safe.
- This syrup is made with raw honey, so it isn’t suitable for babies under one year old.
- Keep the syrup in the fridge and use a clean spoon each time.
Elderberry Syrup FAQs
Kept in an airtight jar in the fridge, it’ll last a couple of weeks. The honey helps it keep a little longer.
You sure can. Use about twice the amount of fresh berries in place of the dried, and be sure to cook them all the way through, since fresh elderberries are toxic raw.
Yes. Simmer everything on low for a few hours, then mash, strain, and stir in the honey once it’s cooled.
Related Posts
- Homemade Fruit Gummies (so good made with a little of this syrup)
- Cozy Fall Diffuser Blends
- 25 DIY Fall Air Fresheners
If you tried this elderberry syrup or any other tutorial on my website, please leave a 🌟 star rating and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below. Thanks for visiting!
Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
- 3 cups water
- ⅔ cup dried elderberries
- 2 tablespoons fresh or dried ginger
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Add the water, elderberries, and ginger to a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer, uncovered, for about 45 minutes, until the liquid has reduced by nearly half.
- Remove from the heat and let it cool, then mash the berries with the back of a spoon to release all the juice.
- Strain the liquid into a clean jar and discard the berries.
- Once completely cool, stir in the honey until smooth.
- Store in an airtight jar in the refrigerator.
What amount do I use if I have fresh elderberries instead of dried?