How to Make Elderberry Juice

Elderberry season is here! Learn how to prepare elderberry juice and some tips on how to use it.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Elderberries
• Assorted containers or picking baskets
• Large nonreactive stockpot
• Colander and mesh sieve
• Old,clean t-shirt
• Gloves

1. Pick and wash the berries. Sort through and make sure the stems are removed.

2. Place the berries in a nonreactive pot and fill with water.

3. Bring to a boil and then turn off the heat. Be careful not to let the berries boil over. Cover the pot and let stand over night.

4. Strain the juice through a mesh seive into containers. Place the berries into an old, clean t-shirt and squeeze out the remaining juice. Discard berries.

Tips & Warnings

• Elderberry juice can be made into a Kool-aid type drink.
• Jelly, wine, and gelatin can also be made with fresh elderberry juice.
• Can it in a waterbath canner for use throughout the year.
• Elderberry juice makes a wonderful pancake syrup.
• Make Elderberry fruitleather.
• Wear gloves while stemming and squeezing juice to prevent stains or burns.
• Make sure most of the stems are picked out of the berries before cooking. Too many of them may be toxic.
• Elderberries are ripe the same time as poke berries and poison ivy berries. Both are toxic. Make sure you consult a reliable field guide for identification.