bottled elderberry syrup
Simmering berries- Collect and de-stalk the elderberries.
- Give them a good wash - pick out any green or unripe ones (the unripe ones will float in a bowl of water).
- Add to a saucepan and cover with water (just cover by a couple of cm) and slowly bring to the boil, then simmer for 30-45 minutes and press the fruit to get all the juice out.
- Strain through a fine gauze or muslin (it will heavily stain), then return to the pan. I used honey (extra bonus of it's heath giving qualities) or you could use sugar.
- I didn't weigh the liquid or the honey - just added honey until it tasted good (elderberry juice is quite bitter). The honey dissolves quite quickly. If you use sugar, the balance to liquid for syrups/cordials is usually something like 1lb sugar (450g) to a pint of liquid. Heat until completely dissolved.
Straining the juices out (look at that colour - hmmm, will use some for dyeing some wool I think too)
Allow to cool and bottle into sterilised jars or bottles and store in the fridge or somewhere cool - will keep for about 3 months, maybe more, although it will be used up before then!
Great for boosting immunity, warding off or treating colds, it's brilliant at reducing inflammation to the sinuses (speaking as a long-time sinus sufferer). Simple and natural - elderberries, water and honey, that's all.
Take a spoonful a day in the lead up to the cold season, and take more if you have a cold already. It can also be used as a sauce over puddings or ice-cream, or diluted in cold or hot water for a delicious drink.
Enjoy!
Abundant elderberries
Oops, I just asked in your other post how t9 make the syrup, and here's the answer! Thank you!
ReplyDeleteNo problem Tacey, I would have written it up yesterday but didn't have the time. Hope you have a go, it's delcious and really good for you too.
ReplyDeleteenjoy xxx
The berries are just starting to ripen round here, so I must pick some and make some syrup myself. Also plan to make some rosehip syrup.
ReplyDeleteyum.
wonderful, so rich, great colour xx
ReplyDeleteNot ripe yet here, but I will be taking full advantage when they are. i made elder berry honey last year, and added some juiced nettles to the mix. I came across a patch I had harvested a few times over the spring and they had sprouted nice new tops. Definitely use that dye - how beautiful it will be. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you for this! I made mine today and tried some as a drink - it was delicious! I hope you don't mind if I link to this post when I write it up on my blog.
ReplyDeleteHi Tacey, glad it worked great for you too, and no problem with linking back to my blog.
ReplyDeleteHappy picking everyone when they're ripe xx
Thanks for the elderberry recipe. Ours are about to turn and I'm planning on making some in the next week. I hope.
ReplyDelete