Elderberry Syrup

Turning elderberries into a potent syrup is perhaps their most classic preparation. When elderberries are cooked, their flavor transforms into a distinctively sweet and viscous liquid of dark berry flavors that tastes nothing like when it's raw. If you’ve ever wondered how to make elderberry syrup, we have the recipe for you.

Cooking the elderberries from your FruitStand delivery into elderberry syrup will open up a whole new world of applications from sweet and savory sauces to roasted meats, desserts and drinks. You can drizzle this simple elderberry syrup over things like pancakes, ice cream and yogurt, or pour into drinks of just about every kind.

Elderberry syrup is commonly used in health and wellness remedies due to its immune-boosting nutritional makeup. Like many deep blue and purple berries, elderberries are loaded with vitamins and antioxidants that are known to ward off colds and flus and contribute to a strengthened immune system. Who couldn’t use a little elderberry boost?

This elderberry syrup recipe will get you started on your journey with this beloved berry, and can be adapted to suit different flavor pairings and sugar levels. Kids love helping in the kitchen when making elderberry syrup, but they love the flavor even more.

When preparing raw elderberries for this recipe, be sure to process them fully by removing any leftover pieces of the plant. Pluck out any green or very lightly colored berries, as they are unripe and inedible.

ELDERBERRY SYRUP RECIPE

• Total time: 2 hours
• Good for: kid friendly, gluten-free, wellness 
• Difficulty: easy

INGREDIENTS

• 1 cup fresh elderberries
• 1 cup local honey (1:1 simple syrup, maple syrup or agave nectar can be used as well) 
• 3 cups cold water 
• 1 cinnamon stick (or ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon)
• ½ inch chunk of fresh ginger, optional

EQUIPMENT

• Medium heavy-bottomed pot
• Sieve or cheesecloth
• Measuring cup
• Wooden spoon
• Heatproof, airtight storage container

RECIPE 

• Add elderberries, water and spices to the medium sized pot and set heat to medium. Let the mixture come to a steady boil for about 15 seconds, then reduce heat to low to simmer for 30 minutes. While it simmers, mashing the berries with your spoon to break down the fruit. 
• After simmering, strain the liquid through a sieve into the container pressing all the juice from the cooked elderberry pulp. Discard what’s left of the elderberries, and let the mixture cool down for about 15 minutes before stirring in the honey to combine.

Elderberry syrup can be stored in the refrigerator for two months (but it probably won’t last that long!). Once you’ve given this basic elderberry syrup recipe a try, you can punch it up with other warm spices like clove, cardamom or even a little black pepper! 

If you’re serving young children or those following a plant-basd diet where honey isn’t preferred, try swapping in a thick simple syrup made with equal parts water and granulated sugar for the honey. You can also try pure maple syrup as the sweetener to take it to another flavor dimension.

Did you give this elderberry syrup recipe a try? So show us how you enjoy your FruitStand experience by tagging us @FruitStandcom on Instagram to be featured in our stories!