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Elderberry Syrup Recipe

 

Each fall and winter my family and I spend several hours making elderberry syrup. Elderberry syrup is known to help strengthen our immune system and is a staple in our home in the winter months. Additionally, elderberry syrup makes for great holiday gifts for loved ones and teachers! Elderberry syrup is easy to make and contains antioxidants, vitamins a,b, and c, calcium, and potassium and because it tastes delicious kids have no problem taking it! We typically take it by spoon, but have also been known to put it over pancakes, plain yogurt, and vanilla ice cream! Below is the recipe that I use from the Mountain Rose Herbal Blog.

1 cup fresh or ½ cup dried elderberries (I use dried ones in the bulk department at Healthy Living. Only use black or blue berries, avoid red ones and do not consume raw)
3 cups water
1 cup raw honey (I buy the 5.5 pound jar from Northwood Apiaries and always have left overs)
1 organic cinnamon stick, 3 organic cloves, and a pinch of dried ginger (this year I used fresh, local ginger that I found at Healthy Living)

Place berries, water, and spices in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat, and simmer for 30 minutes. Smash the berries to release remaining juice and strain the mixture, then continue to squeeze out any remain liquid through the strainer. Allow liquid to cool and stir in honey. I doubled this recipe and yielded more than a quart. Label, refrigerate and enjoy within 2-3 months.

Typical dosage is ½-1 teaspoon for kids and ½-1tablespoon for adults, once daily or every 2-3 hours in the event of illness. Always check with your or your child’s care provider before introducing anything new or trying to self-treat an illness!

Written by Taste Maker, Rachel Stanton

Rachel holds a BA in Human Services and Psychology, is a certified doula, certified in MotherMassage ®, and is a trained lactation educator. As a labor and postpartum doula at Birth Journeys, she offers compassionate, intuitive, and evidence-based support that is tailored to each family’s needs. She also works for the Vermont Department of Health’s WIC program as a peer breastfeeding counselor and is currently working on her 200-hour yoga teacher certification through Yoga Vermont. When Rachel is not supporting new families, you can find her having outdoor adventures with her husband and two children, enjoying a regular yoga practice, or baking.