Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Step 1

Pour water into a medium saucepan and add elderberries, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves (do not add honey yet, because the heat will destroy many of its medicinal benefits).

Step 2

Bring to a boil and then cover (with the lid slightly cracked so steam can come out as it reduces) and reduce to a simmer for about 45 minutes to an hour until the liquid has reduced by almost half.

Step 3

At that point, remove from heat and let cool enough to be handled.

Step 4

Pour through a strainer into a glass bowl.

Step 5

Discard the elderberries and let the liquid cool to lukewarm.

Step 6

When it is no longer hot, add 1 cup of honey and stir well.

Step 7

When honey is well mixed into the elderberry mixture, pour the syrup into a pint-sized mason jar or 16-ounce glass bottle of some kind (I used an old dressing bottle).

Step 8

Store Homemade Elderberry Syrup in the fridge, it will last several months!