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Homemade Elderberry Syrup with Honey and Cloves

Homemade elderberry syrup with honey and cloves - featured image
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This homemade elderberry syrup with honey and cloves is a gentle, effective immune support that tastes like a warm-spiced treat. Made with simple ingredients and a two-step steeping process, it’s perfect for cold season and easy to incorporate into your daily routine.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 cup dried elderberries
  • 1 cup raw honey
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • 1-inch piece fresh ginger, sliced
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 4 cups filtered water
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice (optional)

Instructions

  1. Combine the berries, spices, and water. In a medium saucepan, add the dried elderberries, whole cloves, sliced ginger, and cinnamon stick. Pour in the 4 cups of filtered water. Do not add the honey yet. Stir everything together with a wooden spoon so the berries are submerged.
  2. Bring to a gentle boil, then simmer. Place the pot over medium-high heat and bring the mixture to a boil. Once it reaches a boil, immediately reduce the heat to low. You want a gentle simmer, not a rolling boil. Tiny bubbles should just barely break the surface. Let it simmer uncovered for 30 minutes. The liquid will reduce slightly and darken to a deep, inky purple.
  3. Remove from heat and let it steep. After 30 minutes, turn off the heat and cover the pot with a lid. Let the mixture steep for another 30 minutes.
  4. Strain the liquid. Set a fine-mesh strainer over a large bowl or a 4-cup liquid measuring cup. Carefully pour the entire contents of the pot through the strainer. Use the back of a spoon to gently press down on the berries and spices to extract as much liquid as possible. Let it drain naturally for a few minutes.
  5. Let the liquid cool slightly. Allow the strained liquid to cool for about 10-15 minutes. It should be warm, not hot. Aim for the temperature of a warm bath, around 110-120°F.
  6. Whisk in the honey. Pour the 1 cup of raw honey into the warm elderberry liquid. Whisk continuously until the honey is fully dissolved. If using the optional lemon juice, stir it in now.
  7. Bottle and label. Using a funnel, carefully pour the finished syrup into clean glass jars or bottles. Leave about a half-inch of headspace at the top. Wipe the rims clean, screw on the lids, and label them with the date.

Notes

Do not boil the honey, as it destroys beneficial enzymes. Keep the simmer gentle to avoid bitterness. Straining thoroughly prevents grittiness and spoilage. The syrup is best after a day or two in the fridge when flavors meld.

Nutrition

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

Find it online: https://lindabake.com/homemade-elderberry-syrup-with-honey-and-cloves/