Artful Homemaking

practical help and encouragement for homemakers

  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • YouTube
  • Home
  • About
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy & Disclosures
    • Link Parties
  • Homemaking
  • Motherhood
  • Homeschooling
  • Recipes
  • DIY
  • Resources

November 4, 2019 by Joy Kincaid 6 Comments

How to Make Elderberry Syrup on the Stovetop

93shares
  • 93

How to make elderberry syrup on the stove top for natural immune support during cold and flu season. This is such an easy tutorial for making homemade elderberry syrup!

how to make elderberry syrup

One of the things we always make to keep on-hand during cold and flu season is elderberry syrup. Sometimes I buy it ready-made, but I also love making it from scratch.

Making your own elderberry syrup from dried elderberries is simple and I always feel like it’s more potent when it’s fresh.

Why Take Elderberry Syrup?

For years, we’ve been hearing about how beneficial this little berry is for immune health and fighting cold and flu.

As this article states:

Elderberry holds a bounty of flavonoids and triterpenes packed within its tiny fruit. These chemicals seem to be the key to elder’s anti-inflammatory, antiviral and immune stimulating effects.

Many symptoms connected to colds and flus are effectively treated with this tiny berry. Coughs, fevers and sinus infections all bow to elder’s healing touch.  This makes elderberry a rare herb as it not only prevents infection but also treats the infection after it’s taken hold.

This study using a liquid elderberry extract:

…showed a reduction in symptoms and duration of influenza infection.

For these reasons I love keeping homemade elderberry syrup on-hand during cold and flu season. And, it’s surprisingly easy to make!

elderberries and cinnamon sticks

How Do You Make Elderberry Syrup?

I’ve shared a tutorial for making Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup, but I’ve had questions about how to make it on the stove top. So, I thought I would do a separate post about making it from scratch the old fashioned way.

We’re going to be using just a few simple supplies and ingredients to make this easy recipe.

What Do You Need to Make Elderberry Syrup?

This post contains affiliate links, which means I may make a small commission at no cost to you. Read my full disclosure here. 

Rather just buy it or don’t have time to make it yourself? Get some ready-made elderberry syrup here.

Supplies

All you need are a few simple things.

  • medium saucepan
  • spoon
  • fine mesh strainer
  • jar or container for completed syrup

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup – either these dried elderberries or these elderberries will work
  • 2 cinnamon sticks (or 1 teaspoon cinnamon)
  • 1″ piece of ginger root (optional)
  • 1 cup honey (using raw honey is preferred)

Instructions

1. In a medium saucepan, combine the water, dried elderberries, cinnamon sticks, and ginger (if using).

how to make elderberry syrup

2. Heat on medium heat until the mixture starts to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover with a lid.

homemade elderberry syrup

3. Simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the syrup is reduced by about half.

4. Remove from heat and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. Pour the syrup through a strainer into a glass bowl. Use the back of a spoon to squeeze any remaining juice out of the berries. Discard the elderberries.

5. Allow the elderberry syrup to cool completely before whisking in the honey.

6. Add the honey and stir until it dissolves into the mixture.

7. Pour the completed elderberry syrup into a jar, add a lid, and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze syrup in ice cube trays and thaw whenever you need them.

How to Make Elderberry Syrup

How to Take It

Suggested Use: children over 1 year of age can take 1/2—1 teaspoon a day (do not give to children under 1 because the recipe contains honey). Adults can take 1 tablespoon per day as a preventative, and increase to every 2-3 hours if you feel an illness coming on.

These are the amounts that we personally use.

Once you’ve made your elderberry syrup, you can turn it into gummies! That’s my children’s favorite way to take it.

How to Make Elderberry Syrup

How to Make Elderberry Syrup
Print Recipe

How to Make Elderberry Syrup on the Stovetop

Learn how to make elderberry syrup on the stovetop so you always have homemade elderberry syrup on hand during cold and flu season!
Author: Joy | Artful Homemaking

Equipment

  • medium saucepan
  • spoon
  • fine mesh strainer
  • jar or container

Ingredients

  • 4 cups water
  • 1 cup  dried elderberries
  • 2 cinnamon sticks or 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1 " piece of ginger root optional
  • 1 cup honey using raw honey is preferred

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, combine the water, dried elderberries, cinnamon sticks, and ginger (if using).
  • Heat on medium heat until the mixture starts to boil. Reduce heat to simmer and cover with a lid.
  • Simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally, until the syrup is reduced by about half.
  • Remove from heat and allow it to cool for 10-15 minutes. Pour the syrup through a strainer into a glass bowl. Use the back of a spoon to squeeze any remaining juice out of the berries. Discard the elderberries.
  • Allow the elderberry syrup to cool completely before whisking in the honey.
  • Add the honey and stir until it dissolves into the mixture.
  • Pour the completed elderberry syrup into a jar, add a lid, and store in the refrigerator for up to two weeks. For longer storage, freeze syrup in ice cube trays and thaw whenever you need them.

Notes

Suggested Use: children over 1 year of age can take 1/2—1 teaspoon a day (do not give to children under 1 because the recipe contains honey). Adults can take 1 tablespoon per day as a preventative, and increase to every 2-3 hours if you feel an illness coming on.

Related Posts:

  • Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
  • Elderberry Syrup Gummies
  • How to Make Fire Water
  • Stocking Your Natural Medicine Cabinet

Pin This Post for Later

How to Make Elderberry Syrup

This post contains affiliate links, which means I make a small commission at no extra cost to you. Read my disclosure here.  Disclaimer: This post is not medical advice, and I recommend that you talk to your doctor for any health-related issues. Sharing here.

93shares
  • 93

Like this post?

Sign up below to receive tutorials, freebies, recipes, and updates delivered directly to your inbox!

Homemade Vanilla Extract for Gifts
How to Love the Home You Have

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

You have to agree to the comment policy.

Or, you can subscribe without commenting.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Comments

  1. Pamela says

    November 12, 2019 at 9:07 am

    Great idea and thanks for the tutorial. Just in time for winter. I didn’t know elderberry had so many benefits.

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      November 14, 2019 at 5:58 pm

      Thank you, Pamela!

      Reply
  2. Roseann Hampton says

    November 10, 2019 at 8:21 pm

    I take elderberry capsules but this looks like it tastes delicious! Thanks for sharing with us at The Blogger’s Pit Stop! This will be my feature this coming Thursday!

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      November 14, 2019 at 5:56 pm

      Thank you, Roseann!

      Reply
  3. Sheri Prescott says

    November 6, 2019 at 8:04 am

    What a great idea and thank you for the detailed instructions. My family is fighting a cold virus this week, so it’s on my list to make!

    Reply
    • Joy Kincaid says

      November 8, 2019 at 6:39 pm

      So glad it was helpful, Sheri! I hope your family is feeling better soon!

      Reply

Welcome!

Hi, I'm Joy. I'm so glad you're here! I believe creating a beautiful and nurturing home is an art worth cultivating. Read more here...

Creative inspiration delivered to your inbox!

Categories

Artful Homemaking is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Creative inspiration delivered to your inbox!

Copyright

I love it when you share! Please keep in mind that all images and text on this site are property of Artful Homemaking. You may use one photo provided that a link back to my original post is included. Please do not remove any watermarks, crop, or edit any of my images without first obtaining written permission from me. Please do not replicate or copy any content from Artful Homemaking without written permission from me. All free printables offered are for personal use only. Pinning is always welcome and appreciated! Thank you!

Copyright © 2019 · Artful Homemaking · Joy Kincaid · All Rights Reserved

93shares
  • 93