About the Recipe
If you’re looking to boost your family’s immune system with a delicious and healthful remedy, elderberry syrup is a fantastic option!
Packed with antioxidants and vitamins, elderberry syrup is often used to combat colds and flu, making it a staple in many homes, especially during the chilly months.
Today, I’ll guide you through making your own elderberry syrup using the DIY Elderberry Syrup Kit, which contains everything you need for approximately 28 ounces of syrup.
Recipe Ingredients
4 cups Fresh or 1 cup Dried Elderberries
2 tablespoons Dried Ginger
8 - 12 Cloves
1 - 2 sticks Ceylon Cinnamon
2 cups water (omit if using fresh elderberries)
2–4 tablespoons lemon juice
1.5 cups honey (or another sweetener of your choice)
Preparation
Soak the Elderberries
Start by placing the fresh or dried elderberries in a pot with a little more than 2 cups of water (omit if using fresh elderberries) approximately 110-120 degrees. Let them soak for about 30 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.
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.
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 1.5 cups of honey (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. 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.
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!