Elderberries are one of the most tried-and-true remedies during the winter months to promote wellness and healing. Rich in vitamin C, flavonols, and anthocyanins, these compounds all help to boost immunity and studies have shown that elderberry syrup preparations can reduce length and severity of cold/flu symptoms. This is so much cheaper to make than buying elderberry syrup and health and wellness stores, and it’s entirely customizable in terms of what other herbs and species you can add to it. I chose to add cinnamon and ginger but other delicious ideas include cardamom, vanilla bean, nutmeg, etc. Be creative!
1 tbsp of this finished syrup can be taken up to 3-5 times a day. I also really love adding this to sparkling water to make a little mocktail.
Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup dried elderberries
- 1 1/2 cup water
- 3-4 slices ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1/2 cup honey
Instructions
- Add the elderberries, cinnamon, and ginger to water and bring up to a boil. Once the water starts to boil, turn the heat down and bring water to a simmer
- Simmer on the stove for 30 minutes until water is a deep, rich, purple color. Then remove from the heat and let the berries, ginger, and cinnamon steep for p to an hour
- Strain the berries and herbs with a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth. Let cool to room temperature, and add in the honey. Store in a sanitized glass container for up to a month in the refrigerator
