Name: Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Prep time: 10 min
Total time: 770 min
Ingredients: 1 cup dried elderberries (see Tip); 2 cups filtered water; 1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped; 1 tablespoon unfiltered cider vinegar; 0.5 cup honey, preferably manuka honey

Homemade Elderberry Syrup

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If you want to know how to make elderberry syrup, the step-by-step process outlined in this recipe is simple. Fresh ginger and manuka honey boost this tonic's potential healing power, and the manuka honey gives it great body (regular honey will also work). With this recipe, you can create a soothing, tea-like sipper by mixing the elderberry syrup with hot water. But if you like something a little cooler, pour the elderberry syrup over ice and top it off with club soda for an invigorating elixir to support your immune system. If you're feeling a little more adventurous, you can use it in a cocktail (see Associated Recipes).

By Jamie Vespa, M.S., RD

Updated on November 12, 2021

Prep Time:

10 mins

Additional Time:

12 hrs 40 mins

Total Time:

12 hrs 50 mins

Servings:

Yield:

1 2/3 cups

Nutrition Profile:

Dairy-Free Egg Free Gluten-Free Low Added Sugars Low Carbohydrate Low Fat Nut-Free Soy-Free

Jump to Nutrition Facts

Ingredients

1 cup dried elderberries (see Tip)
2 cups filtered water
1 (2 inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled and finely chopped
1 tablespoon unfiltered cider vinegar
½ cup honey, preferably manuka honey

Directions

Combine elderberries, filtered water and ginger in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook until a thermometer registers 100 degrees F. Reduce heat to low, cover and steep for 50 minutes. Remove from heat; stir in vinegar and honey.
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve into a quart jar, pressing with a ladle to extract as much liquid as possible. Refrigerate overnight or until ready to use (the syrup will keep for up to 2 weeks in the refrigerator).
To prepare a chilled elderberry elixir: Pour 2 tablespoons of the elderberry syrup into an ice-filled glass; top off with 1 cup sparkling water or club soda.
To prepare a hot elderberry beverage: Stir 2 tablespoons of the elderberry syrup into 1 cup hot water.

Tips

Tip: Dried elderberries can be found at well-stocked grocery stores (generally in the bulk section) or online, including from Amazon. (If you make a purchase using the link included, we may earn commission.)

Read more about the health benefits of elderberry.

Find out about elderberry's potential to treat the cold and flu.

To make ahead: Refrigerate for up to 2 weeks.

Associated Recipes

Elderberry Sunset Cocktail

Nutrition Facts (per serving)

48	Calories
13g	Carbs

Nutrition Facts
Servings Per Recipe 13
Serving Size 2 Tbsp.
Calories 48
% Daily Value *
Total Carbohydrate 13g	5%
Dietary Fiber 1g	4%
Total Sugars 11g
Vitamin A 67IU	1%
Vitamin C 4mg	4%
Sodium 2mg	0%
Calcium 6mg	0%
Magnesium 1mg	0%
Potassium 41mg	1%

Nutrition information is calculated by a registered dietitian using an ingredient database but should be considered an estimate.

* Daily Values (DVs) are the recommended amounts of nutrients to consume each day. Percent Daily Value (%DV) found on nutrition labels tells you how much a serving of a particular food or recipe contributes to each of those total recommended amounts. Per the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the daily value is based on a standard 2,000 calorie diet. Depending on your calorie needs or if you have a health condition, you may need more or less of particular nutrients. (For example, it’s recommended that people following a heart-healthy diet eat less sodium on a daily basis compared to those following a standard diet.)

(-) Information is not currently available for this nutrient. If you are following a special diet for medical reasons, be sure to consult with your primary care provider or a registered dietitian to better understand your personal nutrition needs.