10 Simple Ways To Use Elderberries: Elderberry Recipes

1. Elderberry Syrup

One of the easiest and most effective ways to enjoy elderberry’s immune-boosting properties is through elderberry syrup. Made with fresh or dried elderberries, this syrup combines elderberries with water, raw honey, and a touch of spices like cinnamon sticks and fresh ginger. The result is a delicious, immune-supporting syrup that’s easy to take daily.

• Recipe: To make elderberry syrup, you’ll need dehydrated or fresh elderberries, distilled water, raw honey, ginger, cinnamon, and cloves. If you want an extra immune boost, add astragalus to the pot. Not too much though, because it’s strong and not in a good way. Download the recipe for step-by-step instructions for this delicious syrup. 
• Recipe Tip: Use a large pot to simmer elderberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and water. After straining, add raw honey and lemon juice for a flavorful homemade elderberry syrup recipe. Store in a glass jar in a dark place for later use.

2. Elderberry Tea

For a warm and soothing option, try elderberry tea. This is a fantastic way to get immune support from elderberries, especially when fighting off a sore throat or nasal congestion. Dried elderberries can be brewed with boiling water, cinnamon sticks, and fresh ginger.

• Recipe: This recipe couldn’t get any easier. Steep dehydrated elderberries, cinnamon sticks, and a sliver of fresh ginger in your tea cup and cover with boiled water. Steep it for 10 minutes and strain. Add a dollop of raw honey for an extra boost.
• Preparation Tip: Steep a tablespoon of dried elderberries with hot water, add honey for sweetness, and sip to enjoy the immune benefits. This tea is great for chilly days and helps soothe flu season symptoms.

3. Elderberry Tincture

Elderberry tinctures are concentrated extracts that provide a powerful dose of elderberry’s immune-supporting properties. To make one, steep dried elderberries in high-proof alcohol, like vodka, for 4-6 weeks. This tincture is great for fast, convenient immune support.

• Recipe: If you are using dried elderberries, use 1 part elderberry to 4 parts vodka. Fill the jar to the top. Store the jar in a cool dry place and shake it every so often. After 6 weeks, strain and squeeze out the berries, then discard them. Take 1-4 mL up to 4x/day when sick. For a great blog post on why elderberry should not be taken to prevent getting sick, click here.
• Usage Tip: Store in a dark place to preserve potency, and use a few drops under the tongue or mixed in water. Tinctures are a great way to maintain consistency with your immune routine.

4. Elderberry Oxymel

For a sweet and tangy addition to your meals, make an elderberry oxymel! Combine fresh or dried elderberries with apple cider vinegar and raw honey. This oxymel can be added to salad dressings, drizzled over veggies, breads, meats, or sipped for a quick immunity boost.

• Recipe: Fill a jar 1/4 full with elderberry, then add equal parts of raw honey and apple cider vinegar. If you prefer a sweeter flavor, add a little more honey and a little less apple cider vinegar. Store it in a cool dark place and shake it every so often. Strain it in 2 weeks and store it in a glass jar in the fridge.
• Recipe Tip: Combine elderberries and apple cider vinegar in a glass jar, add raw honey, and let it infuse for a few weeks. The result is a tasty and health-boosting shrub that’s delicious in salad dressings.

5. Elderberry Jam

Turn elderberries into a sweet, immune-supporting spread! Elderberry jam made with fresh or frozen elderberries, lemon juice, and a bit of honey or sugar is perfect for spreading on toast or adding to yogurt. Standard recipes can easily be adjusted if you don’t want the gobs of sugar that is standard in a jam recipe.

• Recipe: Use your favorite jam recipe and either add elderberries to your fruit blend or use 100% elderberries. Here’s a great recipe for jam if you’ve never made it.
• Recipe Tip: Use a large bowl to mash the elderberries, add lemon juice and honey, and cook until it reaches a jam consistency. Elderberry jam is a delightful way to get a sweet taste and immune benefits all at once.

6. Elderberry Gummies

Elderberry gummies are a fun way for family members of all ages to enjoy immune support. Made with elderberry syrup, gelatin, and hot water, these gummies are a kid-friendly treat loaded with health benefits. If you have picky kiddos that don’t like 

• Recipe: Gather ingredients, keep them at room temperature, mix, pour, and set in the fridge.
• Preparation Tip: Pour the syrup and gelatin mixture into silicone molds and refrigerate until set. It’s a fun way to get the whole family on board with herbal immunity!

 7. Elderberry Ice Cubes

For a super simple and creative, immune-boosting touch to drinks, make elderberry ice cubes. Freeze elderberry juice or syrup in ice-cube trays with some rose hips tea for added benefits.

• Recipe: Remember that Elderberry Tea recipe? Freeze it. That’s literally it. 
• Usage Tip: Add these ice cubes to water or iced herbal tea for a refreshing drink with a twist. This is a great way to add a touch of elderberry to your day without much fuss.

8. Elderberry Mocktail

Enjoy elderberries as part of a festive mocktail! Combine elderberry syrup, sparkling water, and a splash of lemon or lime juice for a fun, immune-boosting drink.

• Recipe: This is the most flexible recipe on our list. To make this you need the ingredients listed above, but you can add whatever you like to make it fun and super tasty. If you’re a soda drinker, add your elderberry syrup and citrus to taste. If you don’t like carbonation, play around with different juices to see what you prefer. The citrus splash really does make the recipe, whatever direction you go with, so don’t skimp out on it. This is our family’s favorite Elderberry Mocktail Recipe.
• Recipe Tip: Serve over ice with a cinnamon stick or lemon zest as garnish. It’s a great way to enjoy elderberries at social gatherings and stay healthy.