You’ve probably seen it all over Pinterest….HOMEMADE ELDERBERRY SYRUP!!! Make your own here! Buy your own here! Drink Elderberry Syrup and avoid the snots!
But, especially after all the crazy stuff the internet will tell you to do to fight off sickness X or malady Y or ailment Z, you need to do your research. What you read on the internet (including this blog post) should be vetted before you take action. Do your research and come to your own conclusions. I am not the FDA, nor am I a medical professional. Keep that in mind.
Why might you want to take elderberry-based supplements?
There are plenty of sources that claim the benefits of elderberries are many.
According to the internet, elderberries help fight flu, allergies, sore throat, constipation, colds and sinus problems.
The FDA doesn’t say this. In fact, the FDA does not approve elderberry products for medicinal use at all! After doing our own research, we felt there was enough benefit to these herbal supplements and so we decided to start taking them. As I said earlier – do your own research and come to your own conclusion.
I have purchased my elderberries from More Than Alive (now Beeyoutiful) and also from multiple sellers on Etsy and on Amazon. But, if you’re super resourceful, you might be able to find some of these growing in the wild…I know some of my friends have. However, I am too scared of getting into a poison ivy patch to even attempt this. #accidentprone
We’re also fans of raw honey. You’ll notice the recipe we use for homemade elderberry syrup uses raw honey for its potential benefits.
Most agree that honey is great for sore throats and all sorts of other ailments – including certain allergies. Add the honey after the syrup has cooled a bit so the honey doesn’t get too hot and kill the raw properties. In case you’re wondering, raw honey is just honey that hasn’t had any processing – and try to buy it locally so that you get the most benefit. I go through a LOT of raw honey.
Elderberry syrup will keep about 3 months in the fridge, but I rarely keep mine around that long. I just make up another batch of this as I run out. Some people say it lasts WAY longer than this.
If you’re thinking “Good grief, Stacy. I just don’t have time to gallivant around the countryside trying to find elderberries. And if I had dried berries, I couldn’t make this syrup because I’m afraid of being injured by popping blueberries and I’m secretly afraid of turning on my stove.” If that’s you, guess what? Never fear! You can also buy Sambucol (which contains elderberry extract) on Amazon or at your local drug store.
Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- ½ cup blueberries fresh or frozen
- 3 cups water
- ¾ cup RAW honey
Instructions
- Bring elderberries, blueberries, and water to a boil in a medium sized saucepan.
- Reduce to a simmer and simmer for 45 minutes.
- Using a fine mesh strainer, strain liquid out into a bowl.
- Using the back of a spoon, press lightly on berries to get all the liquid out.
- Make a mess to make Stacy feel better about herself.
- Cool mixture slightly and then add honey. Stir to dissolve.
- Pour into storage bottle and cool completely before refrigerating.
Notes
I live near Vancouver, WA and go on elderberry hunts every fall. We have the wild blue variety and we freeze the final made syrup mixture in candy molds and eat small frozen popsicles. I dry pounds of them and also cook them fresh. My grown family has use make them gummy bears. My wife does that for them!
Cuttings from elderberry roots easy I found. I’m rooting too many. LOL! We have blue berries too and you have a combo recipe. Looking forward to the combination. Thanks again, Herb
How wonderful that you can so easily find them!
Hi Stacy, First off let me tell you how weird it was to write that name without an e, I really had to stop the instinct lol. I am becoming quite the instapot person and saw a recipe for doing it in there. I’m very interested in making this now that it is that time of year. I checked Amazon and see that it’s over forty dollars to buy a pound. Do you know where I might find it for cheaper locally? I too am the kiss of death to plants.
Unfortunately, during cold and flu season it seems that the price of elderberries tends to skyrocket! If you can’t find any of Amazon, you can try Vitacost. They usually carry them as well! Good luck 🙂
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Not sure how old this post is. I am picking fresh elderberries, how much would I use in this recipe? TIA!
I don’t remember ever using fresh elderberries, only dried. I would think you would need probably two times as many fresh – so 2 cups of elderberries and 1/2 cup of blueberries. Let me know how it turns out, Linda!
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Stacy
Your syrup sounds great. May I use a different fruit since I don’t like blueberries?
Sure – just use something that will create a lot of juice.
Loving this elderberry syrup – made some up for my family for Christmas as well! A couple of honey questions:
1. When we say raw local honey … how local is local? Is it county, state, region, etc? Just wondering how close is good enough:)!
2. For baking bread when we don’t need raw honey – do you have any recommendations on brand/where to buy good but not breaking the bank for cooking honey?
Thanks!
Lisa
You know, I honestly don’t know how local is local. I get ours from the same town. That’s a good question – I bet a quick Google search would give us the answer.
For bread, I use the big container from Sam’s Club. It’s heated, so it doesn’t matter about it being raw. I save my raw stuff for when I really need it. 🙂
Can I use dries blueberries in the recipe?
Sure!
Hi Stacy- Is 1/2 lb elderberries enough for 1 cup of berries? I’m trying to decide what weight elderberries to order. Thank you!
I wasn’t sure – so I measured for ya. 🙂 1 cup of dried berries = 4 ounces.
Love direction #5
🙂 LOL Thanks.
My recipe is basically the same as your however my calls for 1 cinnamon stick, 5 cloves and some grated ginger. Not sure what these ingredients do for the body. Cinnamon I know is good for a multitude of ills. and ginger is supposed to be soothing to tummy upsets.
My friend Lexie uses the clove and cinnamon too.
Seriously I am über excited about your recipe! We take elderberry everyday, but not as much as you recommend so I think we will up our intake. I am so going to make this!
I hope you enjoy it!
This is awesome stuff! I have been making this for my family since finding your recipe last year. It is definitely a good thing for your body compared to those horrible over the counter meds for colds that really don’t help at all. We use to purchase elderberry juice from a winery in our state, but it was so expensive compared to making my own. My kids like it so much better then the kind we were buying.
I have never seen Elderberry Juice! How cool!
Thank you so much Stacy for this recipe! We just bought dried elderberries, because I was tired of paying so much for a pre-made syrup. This looks so easy! Thank you!
I hope you like it!!!
Love, love, love Elderberries. I got so frustrated paying for the dry ones that I bought 6 plants and planted elderberries in my front yard. With those 6 plants I have so many elderberries for my use all year long and tons of bags in the freezer. It is so worth growing your own and they require very little maintenance.
Thank you for the suggestion of blueberries, I have never made it with them and will look forward to trying that recipe out.
Yay for people with green thumbs! #blackthumbofdeath
We have these growing in our backyard 🙂 Somehow I’ve missed the picking day for 4 years straight. One day I’ll say, those are almost ready. And the next time I think of them they are all dropped to the ground. They are good stuff. Just remember if you are picking them wild that the stems have arsenic in them (like an apple seed) so try to eat just the berry.
See! There is a reason I buy them! LOL
Maybe a silly question, but what do you do with the leftover pulp after you strain the liquid out? Toss it? Use in a smoothie?
I usually just pitch it.
How long do the rest of the berries in the package last?
They are dried, so they last a very long time.
Quick question..my mother in law went to the vitamin Shoppe after elderberry syrup after she saw it helped my daughter..but she grabbed elderberry extract..tastes awful..says it has 40% grain alcohol..but still says on there to take a tablespoon..yeah if you can choke it down..if she were to make your recipe using the extract instead of dried elderberry should is still work well
Yes, it should work. Or you could try mixing it into some sweetened yogurt?
I made some elderberry juice and added a bit of clove and cinnamon. After storing in the fridge in a beer growler, it is now very fizzy every time I open it. It tastes OK, but is still ok after I month?
It should be…even if it ferments in the fridge, it wouldn’t hurt. 🙂
Elderberry is really, really easy to grow. I got a golden elder at my local nursery “rescue” section for about $2. It gets about 10 feet high and maybe 6-8 feet across every year, has little white flowers and then huge clusters (8-10″ across) of berries. You cut it back to stumps every year, otherwise it gets gangly, with brittle stems, so it is a great screen plant (hide the compost bin), but not a good front yard ornamental. It also roots really easily – I used prunings as pea stakes in the veg garden and got elderberry bushes.
Hmmmm. You haven’t been here very long, have you? LOL BAHAHAHAHAHA! Barry says I have the “black thumb of death.” I kill plants. That’s my job. 😉
I have a quick question regarding this recipe… I made this today but it only yielded about 1 cup of liquid. Is that normal? I followed directions exactly, except for only adding 1/3 cup honey. I was afraid of adding too much since it didn’t seem like I had much juice and I didn’t want it to be too sweet. However, it ended up being reeeaaalllly sweet anyway!! Is that normal? Should I try again and add the full amount of honey? 🙂
Hmmmmm. I’m stumped. I will have to measure how much I have when I’m done, but I know it’s more than 1 cup. Did you boil it the whole time, or just simmer? It’ supposed to be very sweet because of the honey – trying to lap up those raw honey benefits! 🙂
Thanks for your reply, Stacy! 🙂 I simmered it for the 45 minutes. The only thing I can think of is that maybe I didn’t strain enough. Gottcha on the sweetness! 😉 Next time I make a batch I will strain more and add all the honey. Regardless, I started taking some this morning. Thanks for the recipe!!
I’m about half-way through a batch right now, so the next time I make it I will measure and let you know. 🙂
Okay, I finally remembered to measure. 🙂 I accidentally let it simmer 20 extra minutes and ended up with about 2 cups of liquid once I mixed in the honey. So, it would likely be about 2 1/4 cups or so normally. 🙂
Thanks for measuring, Stacy! I still have some left over from my first batch, but I’ll keep this in mind when I make more! Happy New Year! 🙂
Same to ya! 🙂
Stacy do you know a good local source for the raw honey? I don’t trust the stuff in the stores, even if it says pure honey. I am in Bristol. Thanks!
I buy mine in Abingdon – but you could check at the farmer’s market. I know they’re likely to have it. 🙂
I have Thieve oil too … how do you use it when you are sick? Do you clean with it or? I used to use it on my face…before I became “learned” lol… after I got blisters on my face I left it alone… quick, fast and in a hurry! I thought it would be good for those occasional zits that pop up now and then… nuh-uh!
Teri
We rub it on our feet before bed and on our chest – diluted with sweet almond oil. 🙂 That stuff is strong!
Stacy! I saw this post 24 hours AFTER I purchased elderberry extract off of Amazon! Where were you!?!? 🙂 I actually tried to find a few recipes online, but none seemed completely reliable. I’ll be using this for sure!
So now after reading the previous comments, I’m wondering if I purchased an inferior product…because mine was “sugar-free elderberry syrup for kids” and only $8.50! Hmmm…wonder if I got anything actually worth using??
Anyways, my super-dumb questions is – what type of bottle would you put this recipe in? I’m just afraid my extract would go bad and I wouldn’t know it!
I stored mine in a glass bottle – the one you see in the pictures. It’s just a bottle I had from making water kefir. I tend to prefer glass over other types of storage. 🙂 I have this obsession with jars. lol
Jar obsession? Off topic, but you reeeealy need to see the jars at The Container Store. Oh…my…heaven! I have redone my pantry one jar at a time. There are really awesome ones at William-Sonoma, and I think I have told you about them because you hit your head on the desk when I told you they were $25 for a set of 12.5 oz. Weck jars including the glass lid, 2 clamps per jar, and one rubber seal per jar. I about died! but the jars would be a great Christmas gift for YOU, Stacy. Oh, Barry, are you paying attention?
I don’t think that would be a good store for me to visit. LOL
Is the exchange for dried berries the same for fresh? I have some frozen berries in my freezer that I would like to use. Thanks!
No, the dried berries get really itty bitty….I would use 2 cups of fresh berries. 🙂 Good luck!
Thanks so much, Stacy. I’m adding elderberries to my grocery list!
Booya. 🙂
My husband just came down with a cold. Unfortunately he’s diabetic so I think honey is out. Any suggestions? Would just elderberries work for him and if so, how should I prepare it? Thanks for the info about elderberries!
The honey is just for the healing properties. So, taking it daily as an immunity booster might not hurt since it’s only one tablespoon….but since he’s got a cold, you surely don’t want him taking it every hour! 🙂 You could leave the honey out for this batch. You could leave it out of every batch if you want. The elderberries are good themselves. 🙂 I hope he feels better soon!!
A good friend of mine at church uses elderberry for lots of things to keep her family well. My secretary is a huge believer in essential oils…specifically the Thieves blend as a way of boosting immunity. I think I have some homework to do.
Loves Thieves!!!! 🙂 We use it when we’re sick.
Nice! I’m taking capsules this year…..maybe I’ll make my own next year!
I didn’t even know they made capsules!
I have this growing in my back yard.I was told it was poisonous by a neighbor.I see birds eating it all the time.I will have to try this.Thank you for posting.
Oh mercy….make sure it’s the right stuff!
Make sure the syrup isn’t too hot or it will kill the healthy properties of the raw honey. Thanks for an easy recipe. I have one that simmers all day and has cloves, ginger, and star anise in it too, but this is a nice, quick recipe.
You’re exactly right! 🙂 That’s why I wrote in that you needed to let the mixture cool a bit before adding the honey.
Well, that’s what I get for doing too much at once, I added the honey before I boiled. 🙁
Oh no Mary! Hope it works out for you next time!
Julie, Humorous Homemaking Team
Thanks, Stacy! I’ve got bone down and out right now, so this is great timing…except I don’t have any elderberries. Hmmm. Well, I’ll order some and have this on hand when the rest of them are ailing.
I mean I have “one” down and out. Her name isn’t Bone. Good grief! No sleep last night, let’s say.
LOL I was scratching my head trying to figure that one out.
Easy to find on Etsy! 🙂
Stacy, thank you SO much for sharing this! We have 1 child especially who has allergies and every winter suffers from colds & asthma type symptoms. I usually buy Sambucus syrup from the local health food store (pretty pricey) to treat her but 1 bottle literally will last for one bout of sickness.
I would also love the opportunity to use this on all of us just to KEEP us from getting sick, kwim? And with my family size (11 kiddos), this is just sooooooo cool that I can do it myself! (I’m all for self sufficiency as well as cheap!)
I’ve used Sambucus too – it’s pricey for the small amount you get. I like making stuff myself too. 🙂
I also add cinnamon stick, cloves, & ginger while it’s simmering away on the stove. Love this stuff…thanks for sharing!! 🙂
Cinnamon is a great addition!
I have been hearing a lot about elderberry- I might have to put this on my to try list! Now if only my husband weren’t allergic to berries…LOL
Oh Loni….your poor husband.
Yes, the sheer amount of allergies he has is absurd. And the fact that’s he’s been developing them at a rate of 1 to 2 a year! The only fruits we know he can have are bananas and oranges. He’s super sensitive to lemons and limes, but can have those too. Add to that the gluten, the lactose intolerance, the nuts, the seafood…..Well, it’s a challenge! On the up side- we found a holistic doctor who started him on some whole food supplements to soothe his stomach and a MAJOR probiotic, and in only 2 weeks on the probiotic, he saw improvement. Turns out the allergies seem to be because he had no good bacteria and food wasn’t digesting properly, and getting by where it should and the body gradually started seeing those foods as foreign invaders and attacking it in the form of allergic responses. The doctor said once he started feeling better he could try to introduce back some of the “allergens” and if he didn’t react, he could keep gradually reintroducing them. We aren’t there yet, but it gives us some hope! The only things he needs to avoid for the foreseeable future is seafood and cherries- those are the deadly allergies (and the cherries is probably hereditary- his father can’t have them either!).
The other good thing is that people know how many things we have to avoid, so I’ve been able to help others out. There is a woman at church who has a boy who was recently diagnosed with several allergies- corn (including popcorn, which he loves!), tomatoes, nuts, seeds, CHOCOLATE (oh, the poor boy!). She’s so overwhelmed and she didn’t used to cook or bake from scratch much, but I’ve been looking for recipes for her, and will be trying to put together a meal plan, and help her think of snacks and whatnot. She’s still overwhelmed, but I keep reminding her to take it one day and one meal at a time, and to introduce new recipes one at a time. It’s good to know that our experience is able to help someone else!
Yay!!! I hope he can get some healing in his gut! 🙂 And you’re right – you knowing this will mean that you can bless so many other people. You’re a calming presence in the midst of the mommy-freak-out.
I am so glad you blogged on this! We currently purchase elderberry juice from a health store that is 55 miles away from our home. It cost us around $30 for a bottle. The cost of driving that far makes it even more expensive!
We live on a farm, but I am not sure what to look for when hunting for the berries. I am scared I will pick the poison berries instead!
I am happy to know we can purchase dry berries online.
Adding the raw honey just make it even better! We have a local family who sells honey about 4 miles away from us.
Thanks for sharing your recipe with us!
Now I’ve got to go order some of those berries so we can replenish our supply of juice before we run out!
$30 a bottle! I think I just passed out in the floor!
Yes, almost $30 a bottle! I usually try to get it when it’s on sale around $22 a bottle. They run a sale on it about twice a year.
Pass out. That’s like liquid gold or something.
Try vitacost.com for elderberry syrup/extract if youont wanna make our own.
Yep! I have the links at the bottom of the post. 🙂
We use this too. When the weather cooperates, I can gather elderberries locally. Then I put them through a steam juicer and mix that juice half and half with honey and then I can it in little jelly jars. 🙂
I need to find where these silly berries are hiding!
Thank you for the recipe! I give Elderberry Syrup to my grandson who is in public school. I have had a hard time finding a recipe for making it from dried berries. This sounds wonderful because it has blueberries, too. Thanks so much!
Kids pass stuff around so easily – I like boosting immunity any time that I can. 🙂
Is that amount the same for a 2 year old?
Yes, I did give it to Annie when she was 2…one teaspoon. But I wouldn’t give it to a child under 2. 🙂
Hi, I’d like to know why you wouldn’t give the elderberry syrup to kiddos under age 2. I made some Elderberry Syrup from a recipe on Wellness Mama and I’ve been giving it to my 18 month old son. Ugh, I hope it won’t hurt him!
~Sarah S.
I’m just uuber paranoid about stuff like that. 🙂 I’d say it’s probably fine, BUT I sorta have to be careful what I tell people. Ya know? I’m not a doctor. I’m just Opinionated Stacy. 😉
Sarah I think that children under 2 aren’t supposed to have honey, that’s probably why she said not to give the syrup to children that young. It has honey in it.