Learn how to make Elderberry Syrup at home! Our elderberry syrup recipe is made with dried elderberries and raw honey or maple syrup for vegan elderberry syrup to help boost your immune system against the common cold and flu. (1) 
There are many recipes out there and many products as well, from elderberry gummies, elderberry cough drops, and of course elderberry syrup.
The base is water, elderberries, and a natural sweetener like honey. Honey is rich in antioxidants and also has antibacterial properties, but if you cannot consume honey you may use your preferred vegan sweetener. Add cinnamon, cloves, ginger, lemon or even orange to flavor the elderberry syrup.
Keep in mind that a child cannot have honey until they reach at least 12 months of age (1 year old) due to the spores in honey which can cause botulism in children under 1. These bacteria can germinate in a baby’s immature digestive system causing infant botulism. Adults and children over 1 are able to safely consume honey without issue. (4)
HOW TO MAKE ELDERBERRY SYRUP
In a saucepan, you’ll combine the dried elderberries, water, and any spices or flavorings. Bring this mixture to a boil and then reduce the heat to simmer for 45-60 minutes or longer if needed to reduce the liquid by about half.
Once the mixture has simmered you’ll strain the elderberry syrup and then allow to cool slightly before stirring in your preferred sweetener.
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN ELDERBERRY SYRUP
To make this a vegan elderberry syrup we suggest using maple syrup in place of the honey.
ELDERBERRY SYRUP DOSAGE
Standard daily dosing:
HOW LONG DOES ELDERBERRY SYRUP LAST AND HOW DO YOU STORE IT?
RECIPE NOTES:
- You can find the dried eldeberries we use, here.
- Use dried elderberries from a trusted and reliable source.
- Remove any unripe berries, twigs, leaves.
- Do not cover the syrup while cooking, you need the liquid to reduce and thicken.
- Do not add the honey until the mixture is slightly cooled as the high heat will kill any of the beneficial properties.
- You can use maple syrup or other preferred sweeteners as well.
- Easily flavor to your liking by adding citrus rind (we recommend using organic) or even fresh ginger.
- Honey is not safe for children under 12 months of age. (4)
It’s important to remove all twigs, unripe berries before cooking. You also need to cook them long enough and properly so that the toxin in the seeds is fully cooked out. The seeds, stems, and bark contain cyanide-inducing glycoside, eating too many or not properly prepared (5) can make you quite ill as it would build up a toxic amount of cyanide in the body. This is why we discard the elderberries after making the syrup. (6) Please see our nutrition disclaimer.
Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried black elderberries
- 4 cups water
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 5 cloves
- 1 cup maple syrup OR raw honey
- orange or lemon slices optional
Instructions
- Pour the water into a saucepan and then add in the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and orange.
- Bring to a boil then reduce heat and simmer for 45-60 minutes, cooked uncovered.
- Once the mixture is reduced by half remove from the heat and allow to cool.
- Strain the liquid and discard the berries, cinnamon stick, and cloves.
- When the elderberry syrup is cool to the touch add in the honey and stir until combined.
- Store in the refrigerator and use as needed or to just boost your immunity.
Nutrition
The nutritional information is automatically calculated and can vary based ingredients and products used. If the nutrition numbers are important for you we recommend calculating them yourself.
hi, can this be frozen or does it lose its healing properties ? Thanks!
Yes, you can freeze it. We’re not sure how much of the beneficial properties will be lost, but think it would be minimal.
The instructions mention orange but I don’t see it in the ingredient list?
Orange or lemon slices are completely optional. You would add it in with the other ingredients. 🙂
Hi – it mentions ginger above under ingredients but then further down it’s not on the list,
Ingredients
1 cup dried black elderberries
4 cups water
2 cinnamon sticks
5 cloves
1 cup maple syrup OR raw honey
orange or lemon slices optional
If ginger is an ingredient, how much should be used please?
Ginger is optional, we recommend using 1-3 slices depending on how much you like the flavor. 🙂