How to Make Spiced Elderberry Syrup
Elderberry syrup is a delicious treat with several medicinal benefits. Tips for identifying and foraging elderberries are provided as well as a recipe for spiced elderberry syrup. Options for storing and using elderberry syrup are also included.
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It’s late summer here in west Michigan which means the kids just went back to school and that elderberries are ripe for the picking.
I noticed the familiar deep purple fruits on my way to the bus stop yesterday, so today I grabbed my basket and collected berries to make a fresh batch of elderberry syrup.
Potential Health Benefits of Elderberry Syrup
The use of elderberry syrup has become quite popular recently as word of its potential health benefits has spread. Elderberry is touted as a way to prevent and treat cold and flu symptoms, fight inflammation, and promote gut health.
Although there isn’t a lot of peer-reviewed research on the efficacy of elderberry syrup for specific conditions, elderberries are high in vitamin C and therefore might help support the immune system.
I was surprised to find elderberry containing gummies, syrup, tea, and juice in my local grocery store. However, I am the kind of person who wants to make my own instead of buying whenever possible, so here is how I make syrup with wild-foraged elderberries and spices.
Identifying Elderberry
I use wild elderberries to make my elderberry syrup. Below are some tips and precautions for collecting and using foraged elderberries. If foraging isn’t your jam, you can purchase dried elderberries online or from a health food store.
The American black elderberry (or common elderberry) is native to much of the eastern United States. It grows in moist, well-draining soil with access to plenty of sunlight. Every year, I find elderberry on the sides of my driveway, adjacent to the swamp.
Elderberry shrubs get quite big, often reaching over 10 feet tall. They have green, pointed leaves and develop large white flowers in the summer that produce dark purple (almost black) berries from late August into September.
Once you have identified an elderberry bush, you can use shears to remove clusters of purple berries. Collect them in a basket or bowl and bring them to your kitchen to prepare for making elderberry syrup.
It is important to note that the flower of the elderberry is edible, but the berries should not be consumed without being cooked first. Raw elderberries are poisonous and can cause gastrointestinal upset or worse if consumed in excess.
As with any foraging endeavor, it is always best to err on the side of caution. If this is your first time, I recommend working with an experienced forager or at least using a plant identification book or smartphone app to help you identify plants. Since elderberry has a look alike (pokeweed) that also poses potential toxicity, you can’t be too careful.
Equipment Needed for Making Spiced Elderberry Syrup
- Colander
- Fork
- Saucepan
- Stove
- Measuring cups and spoons
- Wooden spoon
- Cheese cloth
- Mesh strainer
- Bowl
- Glass pint jar
Use a colander to rinse the freshly picked elderberries to wash away any dirt or insects. Before making syrup, you will need to remove each berry from its tiny, pink stem. This takes some time and patience, but it’s necessary because even after cooking, the stems are not considered safe to consume. You can use your fingers or the tines of a fork to help remove the berries from the stem.
The berries will simmer in a saucepan on the stove, use measuring cups and spoons to add additional ingredients. When the mixture has cooked down, use a mesh strainer lined with cheesecloth to separate the berries from the juice. You can store the syrup in a glass pint jar.
Ingredients Needed for Making Spiced Elderberry Syrup
- 2 cups fresh elderberries
- 4 cups water
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cup raw honey
You can make plain elderberry syrup or spice yours up like I do. I add cinnamon and vanilla for some flavor and turmeric and ginger for flavor and added health benefits. The honey is a natural sweetener and preservative. I use raw honey harvested from my own beehives!
Directions for Making Spiced Elderberry Syrup
- Collect fresh elderberries (see notes about foraging above!)
- Rinse elderberries in a colander with cool water
- Remove each berry from its stem and place them into a measuring cup
- Measure 2 cups of fresh elderberries into a saucepan
- Add 4 cups of water (tap water is fine)
- Bring the berries and water to a boil on the stove, then reduce the heat to low
- Simmer the berries uncovered for a total of 45 to 60 minutes, stirring with a wooden spoon every so often
- Thirty minutes into the simmering time, add 1 teaspoon each of turmeric, cinnamon, ginger, and vanilla extract (or spices of your choice)
- Once the syrup has cooked down to about half its original volume, it is ready to be strained.
- Line a mesh strainer with cheese cloth and pour the berry mixture through it and into a bowl (one with a pouring spout is nice)
- Let it cool for 10 to 15 minutes
- Add 1 cup of raw honey to the bowl and stir to combine
- Pour the syrup into a pint-sized glass jar
- Refrigerate the syrup and use within one month or freeze
How to Use Elderberry Syrup
You can take your elderberry syrup daily, right off a spoon, or add it to food and drinks. Some of my favorite ways to use elderberry syrup are poured over yogurt or pancakes. I also add it to tea, sparkling water, or cocktails!
