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Homemade Elderberry Syrup: Best Immune Support Recipe

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This homemade elderberry syrup is a comforting, immune-supporting recipe made with dried elderberries, honey, and warming spices. It’s simple to prepare, budget-friendly, and perfect for cold season.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup (about 140g) dried elderberries
  • 4 cups (960ml) filtered water
  • 1 cup (340g) raw honey
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (or 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon)
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced (about 15g)
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves (about 5 whole cloves)
  • 2 tablespoons dried rose hips (optional)
  • 1 whole star anise pod (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine dried elderberries, water, cinnamon sticks, sliced ginger, whole cloves, and optional rose hips or star anise in a medium saucepan. Do not add honey yet.
  2. Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium-high heat. Watch carefully to prevent boiling over.
  3. Reduce heat to medium-low so the liquid is barely bubbling. Cover the pot partially with a lid, leaving a small gap for steam to escape. Simmer for 30-40 minutes, until the liquid reduces by about half and becomes syrupy, coating the back of a spoon.
  4. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a glass measuring cup or large bowl. Carefully pour the hot liquid through the strainer. Use the back of a wooden spoon to gently press on the berries to extract all liquid.
  5. Discard the spent berries and spices.
  6. Let the strained liquid cool for 10-15 minutes until warm but not hot (around 120°F / 49°C).
  7. Pour the honey into the warm liquid and stir gently with a wooden spoon until completely dissolved.
  8. Using a funnel, pour the finished syrup into a clean glass jar. Screw on the lid tightly and let cool completely at room temperature (about 1 hour) before refrigerating.

Notes

Do not add honey to boiling liquid; let it cool to around 120°F first to preserve beneficial enzymes. The syrup will thicken as it cools and sits in the fridge. For children under 1 year, substitute honey with maple syrup or agave nectar. Store in the refrigerator for 2-3 months, or freeze in ice cube trays for up to a year.

Nutrition

Keywords: elderberry syrup, immune support, homemade syrup, elderberry recipe, natural remedy, cold season, honey syrup

Find it online: https://snappyspoon.com/homemade-elderberry-syrup-best-immune-support-recipe/