Homemade Elderberry Syrup is made with dried elderberries, fresh ginger, cinnamon, and honey for a sweet, fruity syrup with warm spice. You can make it in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop, then strain the berries and stir in honey for an easy homemade syrup.
I’ve been making this elderberry syrup for years, and the Instant Pot makes the process especially easy. I like that I can make it with just a handful of ingredients, and the combination of elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and honey gives it a rich flavor with just the right amount of sweetness.
Why I Love Elderberry Syrup
*Always check with your Doctor when taking any supplements like Elderberry.*
About the Ingredients ⭐
- Dried Elderberries: The base of the syrup, giving it its deep color and tart, fruity flavor.
- Water: Simmered or pressure-cooked with the elderberries and spices to create the liquid base.
- Fresh Ginger: Adds a warm, slightly spicy flavor. I’d specify fresh ginger rather than simply “ginger.”
- Cinnamon Sticks: Add warm cinnamon flavor without leaving ground cinnamon in the finished syrup.
- Whole Cloves: Add another layer of warm spice and pair well with the cinnamon and ginger.
- Raw Honey: Sweetens the strained elderberry mixture and gives the syrup its thicker consistency.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
How To Make Elderberry Syrup
Instant Pot:
- Add the water, dried elderberries, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves to the Instant Pot.
- Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes.
- When the cooking time is complete, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Press the berries with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the berries and spices.
- Let the elderberry mixture cool for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the honey until completely combined.
- Transfer the elderberry syrup to a clean glass jar or airtight container. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
Stove Top Directions:
- Add the water, dried elderberries, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves to a medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the liquid has reduced by approximately half.
- Remove from the heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.
- Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Press the berries with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the berries and spices.
- Let the strained elderberry mixture cool for another 15 minutes.
- Stir in the honey until completely combined.
- Transfer to a clean glass jar or airtight container. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
Be sure to check out the full recipe and ingredient list below
Tips I Found Helpful 💙
- Use dried elderberries: This recipe is written specifically for dried elderberries, so I wouldn’t substitute fresh berries using the same measurements.
- Cook the berries thoroughly: Elderberries should be cooked before consuming; don’t taste the mixture while the berries are raw or undercooked.
- Press, then discard the solids: Use the back of a spoon to press the cooked berries against the strainer to extract the liquid, then discard the berries and spices.
- Let it cool before adding honey: Allow the cooked elderberry liquid to cool down before stirring in the raw honey.
- Freeze extra syrup: If you won’t use the syrup soon, freeze it in smaller portions rather than keeping a large batch in the refrigerator for an extended period.
FAQs about Elderberry Syrup
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Yield: 3 Cups
Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
4.4 Stars (194 Reviews)
Homemade Elderberry Syrup made with dried elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, cloves, and raw honey.
Prep Time
2 minutes
Cook Time
1 hour
Total Time
1 hour 2 minutes
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 4 cups water
- 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, sliced or grated
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- ½ teaspoon whole cloves
- 1½ cups raw honey
Instructions
For Instant Pot:
- Add the water, dried elderberries, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves to the Instant Pot.
Close the lid and set the valve to Sealing. Cook on High Pressure for 7 minutes.
When the cooking time is complete, carefully perform a quick release of the pressure.
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Press the berries with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the berries and spices.
Let the elderberry mixture cool for about 15 minutes.
Stir in the honey until completely combined.
Transfer the elderberry syrup to a clean glass jar or airtight container. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
For Stovetop:
- Add the water, dried elderberries, ginger, cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves to a medium saucepan.
Bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for about 1 hour, or until the liquid has reduced by approximately half.
Remove from the heat and let cool for about 10 minutes.
Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer set over a large bowl. Press the berries with the back of a spoon to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard the berries and spices.
Let the strained elderberry mixture cool for another 15 minutes.
Stir in the honey until completely combined.
Transfer to a clean glass jar or airtight container. Cover and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Cook the elderberries thoroughly and discard the berries and spices after straining. Let the strained liquid cool before stirring in the honey. Store the finished syrup covered in the refrigerator and freeze extra syrup for longer storage.
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
48Serving Size:
1 tablespoonAmount Per Serving: Calories: 27Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 7gProtein: 0g
do i have to add the honey?
Can’t wait to try some of these recipes.
can you double the recipe for Instant Pot??
Can kids drink this elderberry syrup? Is it possible to drink too much?
Thanks for your syrup recipe! Very simple to make. I’m turning it into gummies with the other recipe this weekend 🙂
@Samantha, what do you add to recipe to make them into gummies? Sounds genius for my toddler who hates liquid vitamins/or Medicines
How would this be processed to can it? Pressure cooker? Hot water bath?
Thanks
I’ve been making elderberry jelly for years. About 5 years ago I started making it into syrup instead. I don’t get sick and all my relatives love this . my greatgranddaughter. 6 made gummies and they love them .now for the last2 years we use the instant pot. I can’t believe how easy it is. Now