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Want to knock out cold and flu season like a pro? The best defense starts in your kitchen, not the pharmacy. This isn’t your grandma’s syrup—well, actually, it is–but with a modern twist that’ll make you feel amazing in no time. My homemade elderberry syrup recipe has five ingredients and combines science with comfort in every spoonful! 🥄 And don’t miss my homemade immunity shot or electrolyte drink recipes, which are also good when you’re feeling under the weather.

A top-down view of a countertop displaying fresh ginger roots, a tipped-over jar spilling dark berries or seeds, a full jar with similar contents, and two cinnamon sticks. The surface is speckled and textured.
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❤️ Why You’ll Love This Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe 

A study suggests that elderberry might help shorten the duration of colds and the flu. Elderberry’s benefits come from anthocyanins, a type of flavonoid that may have immunomodulating and anti-inflammatory effects.

At the beginning of cold and flu season, I make a batch of dried elderberry syrup and freeze it for easy access all fall and winter. When I have a tickle in my throat, I pop a cube in hot water and drink it as tea. 🤧 

🍵 Homemade Elderberry Syrup Ingredients 

  • 🫐 Elderberries: You can buy dried elderberries on Amazon
  • 🚰 Filtered Water is the base of the syrup.
  • 🫚 Fresh Ginger and Cinnamon Sticks contain antioxidant and anti-inflammatory compounds. Plus, they simmer in the water, imparting a warm, spiced flavor.
  • 🍯 Honey provides sweetness. My go-to is manuka or raw honey, but any kind will work.

👩‍🍳 How to Make Homemade Elderberry Syrup

  1. Simmer: Heat the elderberries, water, cinnamon sticks, and ginger in a saucepan over medium-high heat. When the water boils, reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 50 minutes.
  2. Honey: Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the honey.
  3. Strain: Place a small strainer over the top of a jar and pour in the syrup, pressing the berries to extract extra liquid.

📹 Watch me make this easy elderberry syrup at home!

🪄 Tips and Tricks

  • 🫚 How to Peel Ginger: Use a spoon to scrape off the brown skin from the ginger root. Then, cut off a two-inch piece and chop.
  • 🍵 Mugs: You can get my favorite glass mugs on Amazon.

🗒 Substitutions 

  • 🍯 Sweetener: Swap honey with maple syrup or agave.

🍽️ How to Use Elderberry Syrup

  • Chilled Elixir: Stir the elderberry syrup into sparkling water over ice. Or skip the ice and put an elderberry ice cube into the sparkling water.
  • Elderberry Tea: Stir the liquid or melt an elderberry ice cube in the hot water.

👝 How to Store Elderberry Syrup

  • Homemade elderberry syrup will last for two weeks in the refrigerator. 
  • You can also freeze it in ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer to an airtight freezer-safe container and store for a few months.

🤔 Common Questions

How much elderberry syrup per day?

Two tablespoons of elderberry syrup per day is a reasonable dose. As with any new supplement, it’s always a good idea to check with your doctor first. 

What is elderberry syrup good for?

Some of elderberry syrup benefits include:
-High vitamin C content
-Contains anthocyanin, an anti-inflammatory antioxidant
-May reduce cold and flu symptoms

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Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Want to knock out cold and flu season like a pro? The best defense starts in your kitchen, not the pharmacy. My homemade elderberry syrup recipe has five ingredients and combines science with comfort in every spoonful!

Equipment

  • Strainer

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup dried elderberries
  • 2 cups filtered water
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 2-inch piece fresh ginger, peeled, chopped
  • ½ cup honey, preferably manuka or raw

Instructions 

  • 1 cup dried elderberries
  • 2 cups filtered water
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled, chopped
  • ½ cup honey (preferably manuka or raw)

Notes

For a chilled elixir, mix 2 tablespoons of syrup with 1 cup of sparkling water over ice.  
For a hot beverage, mix 2 tablespoons of syrup with 1 cup of hot water or just add one elderberry syrup ice cube to hot water.

Additional Info

Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American
Make this recipe?Mention @itsnicolejaques or tag #nicolejaques!

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About Nicole Jaques

I’m a wife, mom of two, home cook, and avid entertainer. I have developed my own DIY cleaners that are low tox and take pride in having a home that is clean and organized. However, I am human! I like to see dirt under my nails from my garden and my children’s handprints on my windows, and I’m one of the messiest cooks you’ll ever meet!

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