DIY Elderberry Tincture + Syrup Recipes
This post originally appeared on my prior project, mountain-things.com.
Two Sickness-Fighting Sidekicks Made With Just a Few Ingredients
When colder weather sinks in, I rejoice for a few reasons — cozier clothing, enjoyable hiking temperatures, and heartier foods, just to name a few. The one thing I don’t love about the shifting seasons? Catching colds and the flu.
Besides diligent handwashing and wrapping myself in layers, another preventative measure I take to stave off the sniffles is consuming elderberry. Elderberries are the fruit of the Sambucus nigra shrub, a hardy perennial believed to be linked to magic; which makes sense, considering the healing properties of the plant. The flowers of the elder shrub can be used to make healing salves for burns and bruises while the berries contain high levels of vitamin C — a must for speeding up the healing process.
Grabbing a handful of fresh elderberries and munching on them at the first signs of sickness is a luxury not afforded by everyone. Elderberries are more often found in the dehydrated form at local apothecaries or online holistic shops. Thankfully, extracting the healing properties of elderberries is possible whether or not the berries are dried or fresh. Below are two elderberry recipes that are perfect for battling the oncoming cold and flu season.
DIY Elderberry Tincture Recipe with Alcohol
An elderberry tincture made with alcohol is by far my favorite way to consume the properties of this magical plant (and not just because of the little “bite” this tincture has). Elderberry tincture is made with just two ingredients: dried or fresh elderberries and high-proof alcohol. I prefer this recipe because there are no set measurements — you can adjust the recipe based on your family size — and because I can set it and forget it in the fall until I need it for winter.
What you’ll need:
A clean glass jar with a lid
Dried or fresh elderberries, chopped
Vodka (at least 80 proof)
Fill a clean (preferably sterilized) glass jar ⅓ to ⅔ full of chopped elderberries. By chopping the elderberries, you are increasing the surface area to create a stronger tincture. Fill the remainder of the jar with vodka that is at least 40% (80 proof) alcohol. I prefer vodka because there’s less of a taste to it, allowing the sweetness of the elderberries to shine.
Cap your jar, give it a good shake, and place it in a cool place out of direct sunlight. I like to give my elderberry tincture a shake every day to really extract the benefits from the berries. Allow the mixture to steep for 4-6 weeks until the tincture is dark and almost syrupy. Bottle the tincture in sterilized amber dropper bottles and label the bottles for easy identification.
To use: take one dropper a day for prevention, or twice a day as soon as symptoms of illness start to appear. I usually take a dropper before heading into crowd-heavy areas such as shopping malls or the gym.
If alcohol tinctures aren’t quite your jam, or if your timeline is a little tighter than 6 weeks, an easy DIY elderberry syrup recipe is the way to go. You can easily make an elderberry syrup using just berries, water, and honey, but a few added ingredients will amplify both the taste and the healing properties of your elderberry concoction.
The below recipe was adapted from Alpine Botanicals, one of my favorite apothecaries previously located in Nederland, Colorado. The apothecary location has since closed, but you can purchase their products at a few exclusive brick-and-mortar retailers.
DIY Elderberry Syrup Recipe
Elderberry syrup is just a little bit more complex to create than elderberry tincture in terms of ingredients and preparation, but it’s still a very simple process. This recipe is more kid-friendly, but you have the option of adding alcohol for a longer shelf life.
What you’ll need:
4 cups water
⅔ cup fresh or dried elderberries
2 tbs. ginger root
2 sticks cinnamon bark
3 strips reishi mushroom
1 cup raw, local honey
3 oz. 80 proof alcohol (optional)
Clean jar or flip-top bottle
Combine the water, elderberries, and herbs in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce to a low simmer and let cook until the liquid has reduced by half (approximately 45 minutes). Remove the syrup from the heat and let it cool slightly.
Remove the cinnamon sticks and reishi strips, then smash the elderberries in the pot. Strain your syrup through a finer mesh funnel into a clean bowl or pitcher, and smash the berries again in the funnel to release all of the juices.
Add your honey while the syrup is still warm, but not hot. A higher heat will cook the honey. Add more or less to your taste.
For a longer shelf life, add 80 proof alcohol to the cooled syrup. Stir, seal in a jar or a flip-top bottle, and keep for six months in the fridge.
To use: Add elderberry syrup to any hot or cold drink and stir. Take as often as symptoms persist.
About herbal remedies: Herbal remedies are not an alternative to medical help. Please consult with your doctor before trying any herbal remedy or if conditions worsen.
About affiliate links: Some articles contain affiliate links to products that send a little love my way if you purchase from these sites. The products cost nothing extra for you, and I would never link a product I wouldn’t personally use.
