One question that is asked at least weekly in natural wellness Facebook groups is: “where can I find the best elderberry syrup recipe?” I’ve curated the most popular blogger recipes shared in over 25 of the largest holistic and natural wellness Facebook on Facebook as well as those from the most popular of Instagram Influencers.

It’s important to note that “best” is super subjective so only YOU will know what’s a “good” recipe for your family. 

• Don’t love clove ? Find a recipe without it. 
• Don’t love the flavor of black licorice? Look for recipes that don’t have star anise included in them. 
• refer more spicy aromas? Look for recipes that might include ginger and cinnamon.
• Want something light and tangy? Check out recipes that include apple cider vinegar, lemon zest or orange peel.

dPro Tips

Cooking Instructions
The instructions for all of these recipes are virtually the same. Some choose different cook times but a standard 30 minutes for stovetop and 10 minutes on high pressure for the Instant Pot is generally acceptable across all recipes.  

Stovetop

1. Bring water to a boil in a medium sauce pan. Simmer berries and herbs for 30 minutes.
2. Strain  in a fine mesh strainer, wring herbs in a cheesecloth or nut milk bag, or use a juice press.
3. Cool to below 100 degrees or luke warm.
4. Mix in your desired sweetener.
5. Pour into clean glass jar and store in the back of the refrigerator for anywhere between 3-6 months.

For the Instant Pot

1. Fill the IP pot with the water specified in the recipe.
2. Add in berries and herbs
3. Manual high pressure for 10 minutes
4. Natural pressure release & let cool to 100 degrees or luke warm.
5. Strain  in a fine mesh strainer, wring herbs in a cheesecloth or nut milk bag, or use a juice press.
6. Mix in your desired sweetener.
7. Pour into clean glass jar and store in the back of the refrigerator for anywhere between 3-6 months.

   You can find additional elderberry syrup making supplies on my Amazon storefront page here. 

   Ingredient swapping
   Some recipes list using either ground or whole herbs.  Please note that swapping out whole for ground herbs and spices is not a direct 1:1 ratio.  The flavor profile, consistency, and the straining of your syrup will vary drastically. You’ll want to experiment and see which is most palatable for you.

   Some find that ground cloves are stronger than whole. Other feel that using cut and sifted ginger vs fresh or ground packs a bigger punch.  Only you’ll be able to tell what works best for your family.

   Syrup Sludge
   Many of these recipes call for ground herbs. For some people, this can be problematic because it can create sludge at the bottom of your jar as the herbs settle.  Your elderberry syrup will be fine – just shake liberally and enjoy. Using ground herbs may give your elderberry a much different texture than using whole herbs.

   Adding an acidifier
   Some bloggers are using recipes that call for orange zest, lemon zest or even apple cider vinegar.  Those elements not only brighten the recipe, but they can extend the fridge-life of your syrup.  Rosehips, while an herb, when used in a larger quantity, can also act as an acidifier, lowering the PH of your syrup. 

   Fresh vs Dried Elderberry swapping
   Much like ingredient swaps, fresh for dried elderberries isn’t a 1:1 ratio. In fact, it takes 7lbs of fresh elderberries to net a similar concentration as 1lb of dried.  You’ll see that one blogger below has undershot that a bit so please keep in mind that your recipe will be weaker if you stick with hers. 

Wellness Mama

Original source
Kate is a well loved natural wellness blogger whose elderberry syrup post went viral a few years ago. This is a basic recipe that can be found even years before she began blogging but it continues to be the #1 most shared recipe on the Internet – she’s a savvy digital marketer and really knows how to get the word out!

The Wellness Mama Elderberry Syrup Recipe

• 3½ cups water
• 2/3 cup black elderberries (dried, or 1 1/3 cups fresh or frozen)

• 2 TBSP ginger (grated)

• 1 tsp  cinnamon

• ½ tsp  ground cloves

• 1 cup raw honey

Real Food RN

Original source
Also named Kate, this online influencer is a nurse and shares the same recipe as Kate, The Wellness Mama.  Kate, the RFRN highlights using either ground or whole spices in her variation. 

The Real Food RN Elderberry Syrup Recipe

• 3 1/2 cups of water
• 2/3 cup dried elderberries
• 2 Tbsp fresh or dried ginger root
• 1 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1/2 tsp whole cloves or clove powder
• 1 cup raw honey

The Hippy Homemaker

Original source

Christine is an herbalist who has a more robust recipe.

Note: the blogger doesn’t indicate whether or not the rosehips are whole, seeded, cut and sifted or powdered so we’re assuming cut and sifted as a middle ground option for this recipe.

The Hippy Homemaker Elderberry Syrup Recipe

• 1/2 cup dried elderberries
• 2 cups filtered water
• 1 cinnamon stick (or 1 Tbsp. cinnamon chips)
• 6 whole cloves
• 2 Tbsp. fresh grated ginger (or 2 tsp. dried ginger root)
• 1 Tbsp. Echinacea root
• 1 Tbsp. rosehips
• zest of 1 lemon (or orange)
• 1 cup raw honey (or maple syrup or vegetable glycerin)

Crunchy Betty

Original source

Betty’s recipe is a simple one. One major callout here is the swap for dried elderberries for fresh elderberries. If you’re buying fresh (or frozen) elderberries, for a similar concentration, you’ll want to use 7lbs of fresh elderberries for every 1lb of dried elderberries. So for Betty’s recipe, you’d want to use 3.5 cups fresh berries vs her 1c suggestion below.

Crunchy Betty’s Elderberry Syrup Recipe

• 1/2 c. dried elderberries or 1 c. fresh elderberries
• 3 c. water
• 1/2 c. organic honey
• 1/4 c. cherry brandy (optional)

Wilder Child

Original source

Wilder Child’s Elderberry Syrup Recipe

• 3 cups of water
• 1/2 cup dried elderberries
• 1 tablespoon cinnamon chips (cinnamon powder or 1 cinnamon stick)
• 1 tablespoon fresh or dried ginger root
• 1 teaspoon cloves (you can also use clove powder)
• 1/4 cup dried rosehips (optional)
• 1 cup raw honey

Living Whole

Original source

Living Whole Elderberry Syrup Recipe

• 1/2 Cup of dried elderberries
• 2 Cups of Water
• Sweetener Options: 2 Tbsp granulated monk fruit plus1/4 tsp NuNaturals liquid (plain or vanilla) stevia OR 1/4 cup of raw honey 

Optional add ins:

• Ginger (1-in. Piece Chopped or Grated)
• Turmeric
• 1/2 Medium Orange (Zest and Juice)
• Cinnamon stick

Food is a Four Letter Word

Original source

Food is a Four Letter Word Elderberry Syrup Recipe

• ½ Cup Dried Elderberries
• 1 Cup honey
• 2½ Cups Filtered Water
• 3 Cinnamon sticks or 1 Teaspoon Ground Cinnamon (optional) 
• 1 Teaspoon Ground Ginger Root, (optional)
• 7 Whole Cloves, (optional)

Who else?

Do you have a favorite recipe? Drop a comment below and let us know. We’ll consider adding it to this list!