While I always love sharing recipes with you, it's especially fun to share recipes that will help you stay healthy! That's why I'm so excited to share this Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe with you.
I'm not a big fan of cold and flu season. And if you have kids, cold and flu season seems to start the minute they head back to school in the fall.
I have an autoimmune disorder (actually I have multiple autoimmune issues) and tend to catch everything so I try do anything I can to support a healthy immune system.
I usually tend to take a hybrid approach when it comes to medical care and see both traditional health care providers and specialists who can prescribe medication as well as more holistic care providers who tend to recommend natural remedies.
A few years ago, both my traditional doctor and my naturopath suggested elderberries as one of the best ways to stay healthy (either elderberry gummies or elderberry syrup) and I figured that if they were both suggesting it, I should definitely look into it.
And while I'm not a doctor and don't give medical advice, I know that there are many people who have wondered if they can make their own elderberry syrup at home.
I love that elderberries contain so many antioxidants and vitamins that help to boost your immune system. There are around 30 different types of elder plants in the world, but the one that is known to have the most health benefits if the Sambucus nigra variety. We will be using Sambucus nigra elderberries in this recipe.
There are so many different elderberry recipes out there…elderberry gummies, elderberry tea, elderberry juice and even elderberry ice cream. I know some people who prefer an elderberry tincture over elderberry syrup because it contains less sugar…but they spend 6 weeks making their tincture.
I love any recipe that can be easily made and thrown into the crock pot. This easy elderberry syrup recipe totally fits the bill and leaves you with an immune boosting superpower!
And while store bought elderberry syrup has a longer shelf life, it also has lots of ingredients you don't need (or want) in your body! And if you buy organic elderberry syrup, it costs a fortune! With this elderberry recipe, you can choose organic ingredients for an organic DIY elderberry syrup.
At the first sign of illness, I make up a small batch of elderberry syrup. It's my first defense against illness… whether it be a sore throat, cough or flu symptoms. And during the winter months, I typically make a double batch so I have enough on hand to take regularly to ward off any flu-like symptoms.
Homemade Elderberry Syrup Ingredients
- 1/2 cup organic dried elderberries
- 2 1/4 cups filtered water
- 4-5 slices fresh ginger (the more ginger you add the spicier it will be)
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 cup of honey (we think raw honey is best)
Helpful Tools For Making Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Slow Cooker
Mesh Strainer – A fine mesh sieve works great
How To Make Elderberry Syrup In Your Crockpot
Peel your fresh ginger and cut into 1/8″ thick slices.
Add your dried elderberries, water, ginger slices, and cinnamon into your slow cooker.
Cook on low for 8 hours.
I love the way this simple recipe makes my house smell. It's absolutely delightful.
When your syrup is finished cooking, allow the liquid to cool slightly and then add your raw honey. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Your syrup should be thick and smooth.
Allow your syrup to cool to room temperature. Pour into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator.
Health Benefits of Elderberries
Elderberries are packed with antioxidants and vitamins that may boost your immune system, help tame inflammation, lessen stress and even protect you heart. They also have antiviral properties.
Elderberries are a nutrient powerhouse! Here are some of the nutrients they contain.
Vitamin C – Elderberries are packed with vitamin C! One cup of the berries provides about 50 milligrams worth of your daily allowance.
Vitamin A – Elderberries have high levels of Vitamin A. Elderberries can help sooth your skin and prevent wrinkles. Yes please!
Anthocyanins – Anthocyanins are full of antioxidants and are what give elderberries their color.
FAQs {Frequently Asked Questions}
You can store elderberry syrup in the fridge in a mason jar for 2-3 weeks.
Yes, you can, but I found that it's hard to get a consistent flavor when you use cinnamon sticks instead of ground cinnamon.
While technically you don't have to use raw honey, there are a lot of benefits of using raw honey. And if you use raw honey from a local source, not only will your elderberry syrup help you fight off the cold and flu, but it will also help you with seasonal allergies.
We have bees on our property so we can use honey from our own backyard, but if you are looking for local raw honey, check out a farmer's market or visit your local health food store.
While there aren't reports of negative reactions, it is recommended that pregnant women, nursing moms and children not take elderberry syrup.
You could use fresh berries, however, if you're not extremely familiar with the harvesting time of elderberries, you could become extremely sick. Unripe raw elderberries can be toxic.
Unfortunately, there's not any standard medical recommendation for this syrup. If you're taking it for preventative reasons, adults should be able to take 1 tablespoon daily. If you're taking it to fight off a cold or the flu, you can take 1 Tablespoon every 3-4 hours.
Yes, but you'll lose some of the benefits that raw honey has/
Some people add whole cloves for their medicinal value (they get strained out before you use the syrup). While there are many great things about cloves, I think they make the elderberry syrup taste nasty! Some people add fresh lemon juice to their elderberry syrup.
You sure can. And while it does cook more quickly, I think it makes your house smell better when you let it simmer in your slow cooker all day.
Pin This Crockpot Elderberry Syrup Recipe for Later!
Crockpot Recipe: Easy Homemade Elderberry Syrup
Did you know you can make elderberry syrup in your crockpot? This easy homemade elderberry syrup recipe is perfect for cold and flu season.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup organic dried elderberries
- 2 1/4 cups water (filtered is best)
- 4 slices fresh ginger
- 1/2 tsp. cinnamon
- 1/4 cup raw honey
Instructions
- Peel your fresh ginger and slice into 1/8″ thick slices.
- Place the dried elderberries, filtered water, ginger slices, and cinnamon into the slow cooker.
- Heat for 8 hours on low.
- I love the way this simple recipe makes my house smell. It’s absolutely delightful.
- When your syrup is finished cooking, allow the liquid to cool slightly and then add your raw honey. Stir until thoroughly mixed.
- Strain the mixture through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Your syrup should be thick and smooth.
- Allow your syrup to cool to room temperature. Pour into a glass jar and store in the refrigerator.
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