Dr. Allison's Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Beat the Flu!

Dr. Allison’s Tasty Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Elderberry Syrup to Avoid the Flu and Stay Strong all Winter Long 

1 recipe yields 4 cups

This simple elderberry syrup recipe made with dried elderberries, honey and herbs for an immune boosting and delicious syrup. Can be used medicinally, on homemade pancakes or waffles, or as a mixer into a drink.

What you need:

• 1 cup dried black elderberries, or 1 ½ cups fresh or frozen

• 4 cups water

• 2 TBSP fresh or dried ginger root

• 1 tsp cinnamon powder

• 1 tsp cloves or clove powder

• 1 cup raw honey

Instructions for stovetop:

1 Pour water into medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves.

2 Bring to a boil and then cover and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.

3 Remove from heat and let cool until it is cool enough to be handled.

4 Mash the berries carefully using a spoon or other flat utensil.

5 Pour through a strainer or cheesecloth into a glass jar or bowl.

6 Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.

7 When it is no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.  Add more if desired for taste.

8 When the honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a quart sized mason jar or 16 ounce glass bottle of some kind.

9 Ta-da! You just made homemade elderberry syrup! Store in the fridge and take daily for its immune boosting properties.  

Instant Pot option: Put all ingredients except the honey in pot, seal lid, and set manually for 17 minutes on high pressure. After it beeps, quick release the pressure.  Let cool, strain liquid off berries with cheesecloth.  Squeeze out all the juice.  When syrup is still warm, but not hot, add honey. The raw honey will lose its enzymes and natural antibiotic properties if heated.  Stir well and add to container. Will keep for 4-5 months in the fridge.

Standard dose is ½ tsp - 1 tsp for kids and ½ - 1 tablespoon for adults. If the flu does strike, take the normal dose every 2-3 hours instead of once a day until symptoms disappear.