I started making elderberry syrup years ago, so long ago in fact that I didn't know pre-made options were a thing! It's an effective wellness supplement- I think of it as our daily Vitamin C, but also a terrific cough syrup or something to "hit hard" when you're coming down with or have a bug.
Adults take 1 tablespoon daily as preventative, Children 1 tsp. Not for children under 1 year old due to the honey. If you feel something coming on or are sick, you can take a dose every hour. When I'm not well, I like to keep a shotglass of it behind the sink and when I remember, I take a sip.
If your kids make a sticky mess of themselves taking elderberry syrup or it's too much like medicine for them and they give you a hard time, try Elderberry Gummies instead!
Big Batch Elderberry Syrup
Equipment
- Funnel
Ingredients
- 3 cups dried elderberries
- 6 whole cinnamon sticks
- 2 tablespoons whole cloves
- ¼ cup dried ginger OR
- ½ cup chopped fresh ginger
Instructions
- Add everything into a big pot with 18 cups of water.
- Bring to a boil, turn down to a gentle simmer.
- Let it simmer for an hour, turn off the heat and let cool til warm.
- Strain through a cheesecloth or thin tea towel, squeezing out all the good stuff!
- Then you can either whisk in honey- 1 cup good raw honey for every 2 cups juice.
- Or I like to freeze the "spiced elderberry juice" in wide mouth canning jars (leave lots of headspace, chill in the fridge 24 hrs before freezing) or containers. This way I only have to add honey to one batch at a time.
- Keeps in the fridge for weeks and weeks and weeks, or make elderberry gummies with it!
Jolie Altman
This elderberry syrup recipe tastes loads better than store bought elderberry syrup! I love knowing what goes in it too! Super easy to make!!
Annette
This recipe is very easy to follow. I kept a jar in the refrigerator and froze a couple.
Jaclyn
So easy to follow and I appreciate a large batch because we need it for our large family. I pressure canned a couple jars of the juice without honey to pull out when needed. And I made into gummies for the kids - you are right, so much easier to give them the gummies daily than serve up spoonfulls.
Humbleheritagehomestead
I made this and shared it with my extended family and made your gummies with it as well. Very good and simple to make.
Katherine
I may have missed it, but I don't see how much water to add.
Casha Guidry
Where is the best place to find dried elderberries? i have purchased a kit to make my own syrup, but it would be more affordable to make it completely on my own!
kateschat
I bought bulk from local health food store
Rebecca
What is considered a serving?
Rebecca
Oops, sorry I overlooked it. I Foumd my answer above.
Kristin
Tastes delicious! Thanks for sharing!
Deb
The water ratio never changes - should I multiply the water by 3 for the 3x recipe?
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Yes the water would be multiplied by 3
Courtney Gianola
I have a bunch of fresh elderberries, do i just use less water or what do you suggest? Id rather not have to dry them
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Yes you can. I’d use double the berries but keep the water the same.
Naomi
Would the amount for elderberries be the same if they’re frozen instead of dehydrated?
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You would use about twice the amount if you are using fresh or frozen instead of dehydrated.
Elizabeth Watkins
How would you convert for fresh elderberries? We have two bushes in our suburban yard and get LOTS. I’ve been doing roughly 1:1 cups of berries and water.
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I’d use double the berries but keep the water the same.
Kori
How do you make it into gummies?
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https://venisonfordinner.com/homemade-elderberry-gummies/