Popple Tree Creek Farms Elderberry Syrup

Soak the Elderberries

Start by placing freeze dried elderberries in a pot with 2 1/4 cups of water110 degrees. Let them soak for about 10 minutes. This step helps rehydrate the berries, making it easier to extract their goodness.

2. Heat the Mixture

After soaking, gently heat the mixture. Stir often to avoid scorching the berries on the bottom of the pot. You want to raise the temperature to 135°F and hold it there for 10 minutes. This crucial step releases antioxidants and deactivates any potentially harmful compounds in the berries. Please do not simmer or boil these are REAL American elderberries and the do not need excessive heat like European elderberries do.

3. Strain the Juice

Once the mixture has cooled enough to handle, it’s time to strain out the berries. You can use a fine strainer and press the berries with a spoon, or you can opt for a tea towel or jelly bag to ring out every last drop. You should aim for about 2 cups of pressed juice. If you’re slightly short, feel free to add water to reach that amount but keep in min you'll be adding lemon juice in the next step.

4. Add Lemon Juice

Elderberries are low acid foods that need to be acidified for storage. Add 2–4 tablespoons of lemon juice to your strained juice. This not only enhances the flavor but also extends the syrup's shelf life.

5. Sweeten the Syrup

Stir in 1 cup of honey more or less to your taste (or your chosen sweetener). Keep stirring until it fully dissolves to avoid scorching the bottom of the pot.

6. Add Spices

If you’d like to incorporate the organic dried ginger, cloves, and Ceylon cinnamon included in your kit, place them in a spice bag and add them during the heating process. This will infuse your syrup with delightful flavors. The bag the spices come in is easily opened so feel free to add additional spices if you'd like.

7. Heat Again

Raise the temperature of the juice to 180°F and hold it there for another 10 minutes. This step is essential for ensuring that your syrup is safe and shelf-stable. DO NOT simmer or boil it is not necessary because remember you are deal with REAL American elderberries and they just dont need the extra heat.

8. Store Your Syrup

After heating for 10 minutes, transfer your elderberry syrup into containers of your choice.

Option 1. If using canning jars fill containers leaving appropriate headspace for jar size that you are using. Put on lid and seal and tighten lid. Invert jar and let to cool upside down.

Option 2. Water bath can for 10 minutes (pint) or 20-25 minutes (quart). Let it cool, then store it in the refrigerator.

Option 3. Let cool on counter and then place in refrigerator. If freezing keep in mind liquid expansion can crack jars if enough room is not left.

Option 4. Buy Popple Tree Creek Farms elderberry syrup and have it delivered right to your door!