Easy Elderberry Syrup Recipe for Cold & Flu Season

Have you ever wondered why some people swear by elderberry syrup when they have a cold? It’s a natural way to help boost your immune system! Packed with antioxidants, vitamins, and antiviral compounds, this sweet and tangy syrup will help strengthen your body’s defenses. 

Our founder, Natalya, is a huge fan of elderberry syrup, and always makes sure to have a stash ready, especially for her son, Eli. It’s become their household staple, perfect for flu season or when the children go back to school and are exposed to germs. And it’s much easier to make than you’d think!

The Benefits of Making Your Own Elderberry Syrup

You could buy elderberry syrup from the store, but there's something special about making it yourself– it’s fresh, you know exactly what goes into it, and it’s always there when you need it.

Making your own elderberry syrup is about more than just freshness. When you put love and intention into what you create, there's a spiritual aspect that commercial products just can't match. Making this elderberry syrup recipe is a beautiful way to care for yourself and your family.

Plus, when you make your own syrup, you can use honey that’s local to you. Local honey isn't just delicious; it also helps to boost your immune system and can even help with seasonal allergies.

Essential Ingredients for Immune Support

Each ingredient in our elderberry syrup recipe plays an important role in supporting your health. Let's take a closer look at how they contribute to making this syrup so effective.

• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra): These tiny berries are packed with antioxidants and minerals that are fantastic for immune support. They’ve been used for centuries to help fight off colds and flu.
  
• Cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum): Cinnamon is a delicious spice with anti-inflammatory properties that can help your body ward off infections. Plus, it adds a nice warmth to the syrup.
  
• Roships (Rosa spp.): Rose hips are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, which help strengthen your immune system. They also add a slightly tangy, sweet flavor to the syrup that we love!
• Local Honey: One of the most important ingredients in your elderberry syrup is local honey. Using honey that’s local to your area can help with seasonal allergies and provide extra immune support. Local honey contains pollen from your region, which can help your body build a tolerance to those allergens. It also adds sweetness and acts as a natural preservative. Next time you visit your local farmer's market, grab a jar of honey and taste the difference!

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

You can find many of the herbs below - and more - in our online apothecary.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups fresh elderberries, stems removed (1 cup dried elderberries)
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon (2 cinnamon sticks)
• 1 tablespoon ginger
• 1 tablespoon lemon peel
• 1 tablespoon rosehips
• 6 to 8 cloves
• 5 star anise pods
• 1 1/2 cups distilled water (4 cups water if using dried elderberries)
• 1 cup unfiltered local honey (use maple syrup or another sweetener if you’ll be sharing this with children under one-year old)

Instructions:

• Prepare the Elderberries: Rinse the fresh or dried elderberries thoroughly under running water and remove any stems or debris.
• Simmer the Elderberries: In a medium-sized saucepan, combine the fresh or dried elderberries, cinnamon, ginger, lemon peel, rosehip, cloves, and star anise. If desired, you can also add the juice and zest of the lemon for extra flavor and vitamin C. Cover with water and bring to a boil.
• Reduce Heat and Simmer: Once boiling, reduce the heat to low and let the mixture simmer for about 20-30 minutes if using fresh elderberries, and about 30-45 minutes if using dried elderberries. The elderberries should become soft, and the liquid should reduce by about half.
• Mash and Strain: Use a potato masher or the back of a spoon to gently mash the elderberries in the pot. This helps release more of the juice and flavor. After mashing, remove the pot from heat.
• Strain the Mixture: Allow the mixture to cool slightly, and then strain it through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or another pot. Be sure to squeeze the elderberries to extract as much liquid as possible.
• Sweeten the Syrup: Once the liquid has cooled to lukewarm, add the honey. Because the honey acts as a preservative, you should add equal parts honey as water. For example, if you’re left with one cup of elderberry infusion in the pan, then add 1 cup of honey. Stir well until the sweetener is fully dissolved.
• Bottle and Store: Pour the elderberry syrup into sterilized bottles or jars. Use airtight containers for storage. Store the syrup in the refrigerator; it can last for several weeks to a few months when properly stored. You can also freeze some in ice cube trays for longer storage.

To use:

• For general immune support during cold and flu season, adults can take 1 tablespoon daily, and children can take 1 teaspoon daily.
• If you feel like you’re starting to get sick, then take 1 tablespoon every 2-3 hours until symptoms pass. 

Granny’s Elderberry Syrup Kit

If you don’t feel like tracking down each individual ingredient for this recipe, then be sure to check out our Granny’s Elderberry Syrup Kit. It’s easy to use and all of the herbs you need are in one pouch. Just follow the directions on the back! 

This kit is named after Natalya’s grandma, Kay. She was always giving their family cod liver syrup or some other type of syrup to help keep them healthy, which is why this elderberry syrup felt like a classic recipe to dedicate to her. Just as Granny Kay's care knows no bounds, our kit empowers you to nurture your wellness in a similar spirit of love and tradition.

Brew Your Syrup with Love

Why keep all this goodness to yourself? Elderberry syrup makes a thoughtful and heartfelt gift for friends and family. Imagine the joy of sharing something handmade, healthy, and delicious with your loved ones. Or, give Granny’s Elderberry Syrup Kit as a gift and let your friends and family have fun making their own. It's a wonderful way to show you care about their well-being, especially during flu season or busy times.

This article has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, and this information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.