ElderBerry Syrup & Tonic Recipe

Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients:

1 cup dried black elderberries (or 2 cups fresh elderberries)

4-5 cups filtered water

1/4 cup local, raw honey

Optional to add one or a combination of: 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 teaspoon whole cloves, 3 tablespoons fresh grated ginger root, a few cardamom pods

Directions:

1. Combine all ingredients into a pot, except for the honey.

2. Bring to a boil.

3. Once boiling, turn the heat down and allow it to gently simmer for ~30-45 minutes. Stir once about half way through. You can cover loosely with a lid.

4. Remove from heat and immediately strain the berries. If using a mesh strainer, use a spoon to mash the berries a little more to ensure all the juicy goodness comes out.

5. Add the honey while it’s still warm, but don’t boil the syrup so the healing properties of the raw honey are preserved. Add more honey if you’d like this to be sweeter, more syrupy, and include the soothing benefits that honey offers. This recipe is a less sweet version.

6. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator up to a month.

Basic Elderberry Tonic (Tincture)

• Fill a jar half to 2/3 full of fresh or dried elderberries and fill the jar with 90 proof spirit of your choice (Gin, Brandy or Vodka work well)

• You can add in a cinnamon stick or fresh ginger slices for additional flavor

• Let the jar sit in a dark and cool place for 4-6 weeks.

• Strain the berries off though a fine mesh sieve and press out any.

• remaining liquid

• You can sweeten with honey to taste for more of a cordial.

• Transfer to a glass jar and refrigerate. Consume within the year.