Description
A homemade, tart, and sweet elderberry syrup infused with cinnamon, cloves, and peppercorns, sweetened with raw honey. This soothing remedy is designed to support immune health and coat the throat during cold and flu season.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 cup dried elderberries (approx. 3.5 oz / 100g)
- 1 cup raw, unfiltered honey (approx. 12 oz / 340g)
- 3 cups water
- 1 large cinnamon stick (or 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon)
- 1/2 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Combine dried elderberries, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, peppercorns, and optional ginger in a medium saucepan.
- Bring the mixture to a boil over high heat, then immediately reduce heat to low to maintain a gentle simmer.
- Cover and simmer for 45 minutes to 1 hour until the liquid reduces by half and turns a deep purple.
- Remove from heat and let cool for about 10 minutes. Remove the cinnamon stick and large ginger pieces.
- Strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth or a nut milk bag into a bowl. Press on the solids to extract all liquid.
- Once the liquid is warm (around 100°F/38°C, not boiling), stir in the raw honey until completely dissolved.
- Pour the syrup into a clean glass jar using a funnel.
- Let cool to room temperature before sealing and refrigerating.
Notes
Do not add honey while the liquid is boiling hot, as heat above 118°F degrades the enzymes in raw honey. For infants under 1 year, substitute honey with maple syrup or omit sweetener entirely. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3 months or freeze in ice cube trays for up to 6 months.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Beverage
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 10
- Sodium: 1
- Carbohydrates: 11
Keywords: elderberry syrup, immune boost, honey remedy, natural cold medicine, homemade syrup, elderberry recipe, flu season