Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe, Easy & Affordable 

Homemade elderberry syrup is one of those simple kitchen remedies that sounds much more complicated than it really is. You simmer elderberries in water with your favorite herbs and spices, strain the berries, reduce the liquid, then stir in honey and fresh lemon juice once the mixture has cooled. 

That’s it. In just a little while, you have a flavorful homemade elderberry syrup ready to keep in the refrigerator for cold and flu season.

And don’t let the idea of making an herbal remedy intimidate you. If you can follow a recipe, you can do this. The biggest thing to remember is that elderberries need to be properly prepared and cooked before you consume them.

Watch Me Make Elderberry Syrup

What Makes This Recipe Unique?

There are certain things I love having ready in the kitchen to strengthen the immune system naturally before cold and flu season really gets going. Not because I think we can prevent every sniffle or sore throat, but because being prepared means I’m not scrambling when somebody wakes up feeling lousy.

Elderberries are abundant in this region, so we take advantage of that luxury by utilizing the benefits of elderberry through homemade preparations. You can make this elderberry gummies recipe, learn how to make a tincture or herb capsules, and, of course, this easy elderberry syrup recipe.

You’ll love this recipe because:

• It’s affordable. Homemade elderberry syrup can cost considerably less than buying small bottles of prepared syrup.
• You know what’s in it. You choose the elderberries, sweetener, lemon, herbs, and spices.
• It’s customizable. Add cinnamon, ginger, cloves, rose hips, echinacea, or other herbs and spices you enjoy.
• It’s family-friendly. The sweet, fruity flavor makes it much easier for many children to take than a bitter herbal preparation.
• It’s simple. There’s no complicated equipment or elaborate process.
• It’s a practical skill. You’re learning how to make a traditional herbal preparation right in your own kitchen.
• It helps you feel prepared. And sometimes that matters just as much as anything else.

If you’ve got your herbal medicine cabinet all stocked, and still have elderberries left over, we’ve got you covered! Make this homemade elderberry wine to tuck away for special occasions.

Is Elderberry Syrup Good for You?

Elderberry is an antiviral herb that has a long history of traditional use for colds and flu, and there has been some modern research looking at whether elderberry may help with symptoms of upper respiratory infections.

The research is promising in some areas, but it’s important not to overstate what we know. The National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health says some preliminary research suggests elderberry may relieve symptoms of flu, colds, or other upper respiratory infections, but there is not enough high-quality evidence to consider it a proven treatment.

So I think of elderberry as one tool in the herbal medicine cabinet, not a replacement for medical care.

And there’s an important safety piece here.

Raw or unripe elderberries, along with the leaves and stems of the elder plant, contain compounds that can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Proper cooking significantly reduces this risk.

That’s why I’m pretty particular about sorting the berries before they ever go into the pot.

Remove leaves, stems, and unripe berries, and cook the elderberries thoroughly before consuming them.

It’s important to note that I am not a certified medical practitioner. This post is not intended to diagnose or treat but is for informational purposes only. Please contact your healthcare professional before introducing new herbal and natural remedies into your wellness routine. 

⭐ Featured Reader Review
@jennysfarmsweetfarm7726 says, “This was the best tutorial for making elderberry syrup I've watched so far! You made it so easy & simple to understand.  Thanks for showing how to make it! I've got it on the stove simmering as I type.”

Key Ingredients

For a full list of ingredients and measurements, check out the recipe card below.

• Elderberries - You can use fresh, frozen, or dried elderberries for this recipe. For fresh or frozen elderberries, use 2 cups. For dried elderberries, use 1 cup. If you’re harvesting elderberries yourself, take the time to sort through them carefully. Remove stems, leaves, and any berries that are green or otherwise unripe.
• Raw Honey - Honey adds sweetness and gives the syrup that smooth, familiar flavor we’re looking for. It also means we need to pay attention to age and safety. Honey should not be given to children under 1 year of age because of the risk of infant botulism.
• Fresh Lemon Juice - Fresh lemon gives the syrup a bright flavor that balances the richness of the elderberries and honey.
• Optional Herbs and Spices - This is where you can really make the recipe your own. Try adding:

• Echinacea
• Rose hips
• Cinnamon sticks or ground cinnamon
• Whole or ground cloves
• Star anise
• Fresh or dried ginger
• A small amount of cayenne pepper

How to Make Elderberry Syrup

Step 1: Add the Water and Elderberries

Add 4 cups of water and 2 cups of fresh or frozen elderberries to a large, heavy-bottomed pot.

If you’re using dried elderberries, use 1 cup.

Add any optional herbs or spices at this point.

Step 2: Bring to a Boil and Simmer

Bring the mixture to a boil.

Then reduce the heat and allow it to simmer. Let the elderberries simmer for about 30 minutes.

This cooking step is important. Raw or improperly prepared elderberries can cause gastrointestinal illness because of naturally occurring toxic compounds in the raw plant material. Cooking helps reduce those compounds.

Step 3: Strain the Elderberries

Pour the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer.

Remove the berries and any herbs or spices.

You can gently mash the berries with the back of a spoon or a potato masher while they’re in the strainer to help release their liquid.

Just be careful of the hot liquid.

Step 4: Reduce the Liquid

Return the strained liquid to the pot and continue simmering until the liquid has reduced by about half.

You’re aiming for approximately 16 ounces of liquid at this stage.

Step 5: Cool Before Adding the Honey

This is an important little step.

Remove the pot from the heat and allow the liquid to cool until it is just above room temperature.

You should be able to comfortably touch the liquid with your finger. If you’re using a thermometer, aim for approximately 110°F or below.

Step 6: Add the Honey and Lemon Juice

Once the liquid has cooled sufficiently, stir in 2 cups of honey and ¼ cup of fresh lemon juice.

Stir until the honey is completely dissolved.

Step 7: Pour Into Jars

Ladle the finished elderberry syrup into clean jars.

Add a tight-fitting lid and label the jars with the date.

Then move the syrup into the refrigerator.

Tips and Troubleshooting

Dosing Suggestions

My preferred dosage for daily immune support during cold and flu season is as follows:

• Adults take 1 teaspoon daily. 
• Kids (6-12 years old) take 1 teaspoon daily. 
• Kids (1-5 years old) take ½ teaspoon daily.

My preferred dosage when fighting off illness (until symptoms subside) is as follows:

• Adults take 1 teaspoon up to 1 Tablespoon every 2-3 hours.
• Kids (6-12 years old) take 1 teaspoon every 2-3 hours.
• Kids (1-5 years old) take ½ teaspoon every 2-3 hours.

* Not recommended for kids under 1 year old.

Homemade elderberry syrup can also be incorporated into your everyday foods. 

• Stir it into tea.
• Add a little to juice.
• Blend it into a smoothie.
• Drizzle a small amount over pancakes.
• Add it to homemade kombucha for flavor.

For children who don't love the flavor of herbal preparations, this elderberry gummies recipe can be a fun alternative.

And honestly, this is one of those recipes where getting the flavor right matters. If your family loves it, they’re much more likely to actually use it.

Storing Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Once the elderberry syrup has been prepared and cooled, transfer it to clean jars, add tight-fitting lids, label them, and store them in the refrigerator.

For this recipe, plan to use the syrup within 2 months when refrigerated.

You can also freeze elderberry syrup if you want to prepare a batch ahead of time. Leave appropriate headspace in freezer-safe containers because liquids expand as they freeze.

For long-term pantry storage, don't rely on this refrigerator recipe. Instead, use a research-based, tested preservation recipe specifically developed for elderberry syrup or another elderberry product. Extension food-safety guidance recommends following research-based processing instructions for elderberry canning.