Elderberries are one of my favorite fruits to forage in autumn. I’m fortunate to live where elder trees grow natively and abundantly. These deep blue berries, dusted with their natural bloom, are a dependable fall find around my home. Once I even forgot a bag of them behind the kitchen hutch—and it took a while to figure out why the fruit flies were suddenly so abundant!
How to Make Fermented Elderberry Syrup
As a traditional homemaker, elderberry holds a special place in both my kitchen and my natural medicine cabinet. It’s my go-to immune support at the first hint of a cold, and I make sure everyone in my household takes it when needed. Today I’m sharing a very simple fermented elderberry syrup made with raw honey—no heating required. Whether you’re new to crafting remedies or experienced at putting up your own medicine, this method is easy and effective.
Ingredients You’ll Need
To make this simple elderberry cold syrup, gather the following:
- a half-pint (250 ml) jar
- a funnel
- 1–2 large clusters of freshly harvested elderberries
- 12–14 whole cloves
- about 1/2 cup raw honey
How to Make Your Own Cold Syrup
Begin by counting the cloves and placing them in the bottom of a clean jar.
Gently strip the elderberries from their stems. Using a funnel, add the berries to the jar.
Fill the jar until the elderberries reach the shoulder, leaving room for the honey.
Carefully pour raw honey into the remaining space. Pour slowly so the honey can settle between the berries.
Cover the jar and set it aside for two weeks to infuse and ferment. You can stir occasionally if you like. Over time the honey will draw out the elderberry juices, changing color from golden to a silvery pink. The berries may shrivel and the honey will thin as it becomes infused.
This gentle infusion is short, so there’s little risk of significant compounds leaching from seeds into the honey.
After two weeks, strain the syrup through a clean cloth into a bowl or measuring cup.
Pour the finished syrup into small jars, seal, and store in the refrigerator or a cool room. If you want a stronger syrup, you can infuse the reserved berries a second time to extract more flavor and potency.
This fermented honey infusion yields a light, delicate flavor that’s pleasantly sweet—perfect for supporting the immune system in a tasty way.
How to Use Elderberry Cold Syrup
At the first sign of a cold, add one teaspoon of this syrup to a glass of water and sip it throughout the day. It mixes well into herbal tea, or you can take a teaspoon straight if you need extra support. Because the syrup is sweet and mild, children usually take it willingly—but do not give raw honey to children under one year old.
