Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Elderberry syrup is a popular natural health elixir used to enhance immune system function and reduce the lifespan of colds and flus. It is also remarkably delicious in cocktails, mocktails, or drizzled over ice cream. Regardless what you plan on using elderberry syrup for, making your own has the perks of saving you money and ensuring you are incorporating the flavors and specific ingredients you want. In particular, we enjoy the benefits of locally-sourced honey and the delicate flavor of Ceylon cinnamon in our DIY version.
How to Make Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Making your own homemade elderberry syrup couldn’t be easier, but planning ahead is essential if you want to procure the best possible ingredients. It’s essentially a glorified simple syrup that has been infused with fragrant spices and all of the health benefits of elderberries. Just break your ingredients apart to release their oils and flavors, add the dried berries, and bring water to a boil before simmering for awhile. Near the end, you will add the sugars and simmer just a bit longer.
DIY Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Ingredients
- 8 ounces dried elderberries
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 16 ounces honey
- 3 tablespoons maple syrup
- 3 Ceylon cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon vanilla paste
- 1 teaspoon dried ginger powder
- 1 mace blade
- 6 green cardamom pods
- 3 tablespoons apple cider vinegar, optional
- 6 whole cloves
Procedure
- Place the water and elderberries in a saucepan on the stove and turn the heat up to high.
- Slightly crush the cardamom pods, break the cinnamon sticks into several pieces, and add them, the cloves, the ginger, and the mace blade to the water. Stir.
- Bring the water to a boil and add the apple cider vinegar. Smash the elderberries with a wooden spoon or potato masher. Stir and turn the heat down to low. Simmer, covered, for 20 minutes.
- Add the honey and maple syrup and simmer for an additional 15 minutes.
- Remove from the heat, smash the elderberries again, add the vanilla paste stir, and allow to cool.
- Strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer to remove solids. Store in a jar in the refrigerator.
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