I’m letting you in on a little secret today, it’s easier than you think to make your own healing potions. After coming off of a homemaker high of making Katie’s Fire Cider, I decided to follow her lead and simmer some Homemade Elderberry Syrup as well.

For some reason, I’ve been really intimidated to make this Homemade Elderberry Syrup. Maybe it had to do with the “elusive ingredients” (they weren’t hard to find) or simply my own procrastination, but whatever was stopping me, don’t let it stop you! Homemade Elderberry Syrup is easy to make and I’ll be adding it to my monthly/bimonthly kitchen routines. Here’s how it’s done:

Note: I was able to find dried elderberries at my local co-op in the bulk goods section. You can also buy some here.

Prep & Tools To Gather

• saucepot
• mesh strainer
• rubber spatula
• funnel
• canning jar or bottle to store the syrup

Elderberry Syrup Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups water
• 2/3 cup dried elderberries (or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen) note: I used dried
• 3 TBSP ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cloves
• 1 cup honey

Elderberry Syrup Instructions

• Add all the ingredients: water, elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves into a medium-sized saucepot.
• Bring to a boil.
• Cover and reduce to a simmer for 1 hour. The liquid should be reduced by about half.
• Remove from heat and let cool.
• Mash the berries against the side of the saucepot using a rubber spatula or some other flat utensil.
• Pour through a mesh strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
• Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.
• When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well. You may use more or less honey depending on the sweetness and consistency you desire. I use right around 1 cup each time.
• When the honey is well mixed throughout, transfer the syrup into a  mason jar or 16-ounce glass bottle of some kind.
• Woohoo! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take a shot daily or as needed for its immune-boosting properties.

Wait, wuttt? What immune-boosting properties? According to WebMD, the berries and flowers of elderberry are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system. They could help tame inflammation, lessen stress, and help protect your heart, too. Experts recommend elderberry to help prevent and ease cold and flu symptoms and that is why Katie and I love this Homemade Elderberry Syrup and make it a staple in our fridge.

If you’d like to learn more about the benefits of Elderberries with plenty of links to scientific sources and medical journals, I found this article really helpful. The title is clickbait, but even still, lots of good info to be had.

I’m about to head home after a month-long ski road trip and I’m seriously looking forward to drinking the rest of the syrup that’s waiting in our fridge and cooking up another batch for the month ahead. I hope you’ll join me!