Ingredients:

  • 1 cup (120g) Dried Elderberries
  • 4 cups (950 ml) Filtered Water
  • 1 to 1 ½ cups (340g to 510g) Raw Honey (adjust to taste)
  • 2 inches (50g) Fresh Ginger Root, thinly sliced
  • 1 large Cinnamon Stick
  • 1 teaspoon Whole Cloves
  • 2 whole Star Anise pods (optional)

Instructions:

  1. Combine the dried elderberries, water, sliced ginger, cinnamon stick, cloves, and star anise (if using) into a medium heavy-bottomed saucepan.
  2. Bring the mixture to a boil over medium-high heat. Immediately reduce heat to low, cover loosely, and simmer gently for 45 to 60 minutes, allowing the liquid to reduce by about one-third to one-half.
  3. Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the mixture to cool for about 20 minutes.
  4. Line a fine-mesh sieve with cheesecloth and place it over a large bowl. Pour the berry mixture through the lined sieve, allowing it to strain naturally without aggressively squeezing the solids.
  5. Once the strained liquid is warm (not hot), gradually stir in the raw honey until it is completely dissolved. Do not add honey to boiling liquid.
  6. Carefully pour the finished Homemade Elderberry Syrup into a sterilized, airtight bottle. Cool completely before sealing and refrigerating. Store in the refrigerator for up to 3–4 weeks.