Last Updated on August 2, 2022

This easy homemade elderberry syrup is an excellent alternative to regular cough syrup. It’s simple to make and helps fight illnesses too.

diy elderberry syrup

I am writing this on the cusp of a cold. My throat is scratchy, and I’m clasping a handkerchief.

Justin succumbed to a cold three days ago. He had a horrible fever. It’s like I’ve seen my future, but I’m committed to avoiding it. 

I’m not sure I’ll succeed, but I’ll go down fighting.

I’ve been making sure I get plenty of sleep, drinking vitamin c loaded smoothies which I’ve been stockpiling in the freezer, and filling myself with tons of probiotics. 

With the cold season officially upon us, I figured it was time to make some homemade elderberry syrup. Elderberries are extremely high in antioxidants and help boost the immune system.

If you have a mild case of the flu or a cold, elderberry cough syrup could help you knock it out fast. 

I feel kinda like Mary Poppins when I take a spoonful of this. 

elderberry cough syrup

There was a study done by the Journal of International Medical Research that taking elderberry syrup could shorten the duration of your sickness by up to four days.

Beyond cold and flu, it’s great for allergies too. It’s an anti-inflammatory that will help reduce agitated and inflamed airways. Allergies kick your immune system into overdrive, and the elderberries will help keep things balanced. 

This really is the best elderberry syrup recipe if you ask me! It’s not complicated and makes us feel so much better.

best elderberry syrup

DIY elderberry syrup is something I recommend keeping on hand when the sniffles come your way. I think it goes without saying that nothing will replace a doctor or antibiotics, but this is great for those in-between times. A doctor won’t be able to fix a cold or your allergies, but elderberry cough syrup can help relieve some of the yuckiness.

Elderberries are pretty easy to find in bulk in the dried fruit or beauty section. But you can grow them in your own backyard! This is a great plastic-free alternative to get you feeling better. Along with veggie soup. 

elderberry syrup ingredients

• 2.5 Cups of Filtered Water
• 1/2 Cup of Dried Elderberries*
• 1 Cup of Raw Honey**

*1 Cup of Fresh Elderberries **You can sub maple syrup

how to make homemade elderberry syrup

1. Place the water in a pot on the stove.
2. Add the elderberries
3. Bring it to a rolling boil
4. Once at a rolling boil, place the lid on the pot and turn the heat down to low
5. Let it simmer for 30 minutes
6. Strain the elderberry liquid through a fine mesh sieve
7. Make sure all of the juice is out of the berries
8. Compost the berry skins
9. Let the juice come to room temperature (an hour or two) 
10. Mix the honey with the elderberry liquid
11. Store the syrup in an airtight container like a mason jar

Alternatively, freeze it in an ice cube tray. It will make two tablespoon portions that can be defrosted as needed. 

frequently asked questions

how should you take DIY elderberry syrup?

Take a teaspoon a day if you feel a cold or flu coming. You can read more about elderberry here.

can I take elderberry syrup if I am pregnant?

This is a question for your doctor! Studies are still out on how elderberry syrup affects pregnant women and nursing moms. So give your doctor a call and verify if it’s okay or not.

how do I store homemade elderberry syrup?

Keep it in a glass container that is air tight and refrigerate. It needs to be kept chilled so it doesn’t spoil. It will last for 3 months.