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Easy Homemade Elderberry Syrup for Cold Season

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This homemade elderberry syrup for cold season is a family favorite, made with dried elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and raw honey. It’s a simple, effective immune-supporting remedy that tastes like comfort in a spoonful.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dried elderberries
  • 4 cups water
  • 1 large piece fresh ginger root (about 3 inches), thinly sliced
  • 2 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon whole cloves
  • 1 cup raw honey (or to taste)
  • Optional: small handful of rose hips or astragalus root

Instructions

  1. Combine the dried elderberries, water, sliced ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves in a medium saucepan. Stir to ensure everything is submerged.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil over medium-high heat (about 5-7 minutes), then reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered for 30-35 minutes. The liquid should reduce slightly and deepen in color.
  3. After about 20 minutes of simmering, gently press on the berries with the back of a wooden spoon to release more flavor and beneficial compounds.
  4. Place a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or heatproof measuring cup. Carefully pour the hot mixture through the strainer. Let it drain for a few minutes, pressing gently on the berries to extract all liquid. Discard the solids.
  5. Let the strained liquid cool until warm but not hot, about 15-20 minutes. This is important to preserve the beneficial enzymes in the honey.
  6. Once cooled, stir in the raw honey until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired.
  7. Using a funnel, pour the syrup into a clean glass jar or bottle. Seal tightly and let cool completely before refrigerating.

Notes

Do not add honey while the liquid is hot, as heat destroys its beneficial enzymes. Use whole spices instead of ground to avoid a cloudy syrup. Sterilize the jar for longer storage. The syrup will thicken slightly as it cools. For a vegan version, substitute maple syrup for honey.

Nutrition

Keywords: elderberry syrup, homemade elderberry syrup, immune support, cold season remedy, elderberry recipe, natural remedy, honey syrup

Find it online: https://emmastirs.com/easy-homemade-elderberry-syrup-for-cold-season/