The Best Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Adults love our potent Rapid Rescue® formula when you start feeling “under the weather” and often want to share it with their kids. But since we can’t recommend all of the ingredients in Rapid Rescue for all kids (of course, always ask your child’s healthcare provider), we wanted to share an immune-boosting elderberry syrup recipe that your kids will love.

Elderberries are a popular immune booster and one of the ingredients in Rapid Rescue. This easy elderberry syrup recipe is just as tasty and effective but lower in sugar (and without any refined sugar) than the store-bought syrups and gummies that are heavily marketed to kids.

This easy elderberry syrup recipe comes together with just a few simple ingredients and steps. You can also make this elderberry syrup recipe without honey if you want to give it to little ones under age one, or if you follow a vegan diet.

Ingredients

• 3 ½ cups water
• 3/4 cup dried elderberries (found in the bulk section of many health food stores or online)
• 1 tbsp. grated fresh ginger (or 1 tsp. dried)
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 3/4 cup raw honey (or maple syrup as a vegan option or for kids under age 1)

Instructions

1. In a large pot, bring the elderberries, water, cinnamon, cloves, and ginger to a boil.
2. Reduce the heat, cover, and simmer until the liquid has reduced by about half (usually 40-45 minutes).
3. Allow the liquid to cool, then drain the liquid using a fine mesh strainer or cheese cloth.
4. Press all liquid out of the berries using the back of a wooden spoon.
5. Stir in the honey or maple syrup.
6. Store in an airtight glass container in the refrigerator and take daily. Start with 1 tsp. daily for kids.

*Note: maple syrup will result in a slightly thinner syrup and will reduce the life of the syrup from 2-3 months to 3-4 weeks. You can extend the life by freezing half and thawing when needed.