How to Make Elderberry Syrup

Elderberries

Elderberry syrup is a traditional part of many Swedish deserts, and can be served any way that you would normally enjoy flavored syrups. It is also used in alternative medicine to treat cold symptoms such as coughs and sore throats. Elderberries can be purchased at some grocery stores, health food stores, or farmer's markets, or gathered fresh from the tree. This easy recipe yields approximately 1 generous cup of elderberry syrup.

Things You'll Need

• Medium saucepan
• Fresh elderberries
• Granulated sugar
• Ground cinnamon
• Ground nutmeg
• Fresh lemon
• Fine sieve
• Dark glass bottle
• Labels

Instructions

1. Add 1 cup of water, 1 cup of fresh elderberries, 1 cup of granulated sugar, and ½ tsp. each of ground cinnamon and ground nutmeg to a medium-sized saucepan. Stir well to combine.

2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium heat, stirring occasionally. Reduce the heat to low. Simmer the ingredients for 20 minutes, again stirring only occasionally.

3. Ensure that the sugar is completely dissolved after simmering. If it is not, cook the ingredients a bit longer over low heat, stirring constantly until no sugar granules remain.

4. Add the juice from ½ a fresh lemon to the sugar and elderberry mixture. Stir well to combine. Strain the elderberry syrup through a fine sieve into a dark colored glass bottle.

5. Allow the syrup to cool to room temperature in the bottle. Secure the lid or cork. Label the bottle with the contents and date. Store in the refrigerator. Elderberry syrup will keep up to 90 days in the refrigerator before any unused portion should be discarded.

Tips & Warnings

• Serve elderberry syrup on pancakes and waffles, or take it to treat colds and coughs. If you're making the syrup for medicinal purposes, do not rely on it solely, and make sure you consult a qualified herbal or medical practitioner for any serious illness.

References

• Book: Prairie Home Cooking; Judith M. Fertig; 1999

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish