ktgrok Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 I made some elderberry syrup today. I probably should have simmered it a bit more as it isn't very syrupy. But, it's YUMMY. I'm wondering, could I mix a splash of it with some blackberry seltzer (unsweetened) and drink that through out the day? And let the kids have it to drink too? Is there any reason NOT to do that? Might also mix it with some herbal iced tea. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bootsie Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Elderberry syrup is widely used in a range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks in Austria (a Black Hugo contains elderberry syrup, prosecco, sparkling water and mint). It is also used on pancakes, on ice cream, and in other desserts just as other fruit syrups would be used. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss Peregrine Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Mine doesn't get very thick. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 I always make liquid-y syrup because I don't care to simmer it for a long time as I am worried that I would be cooking it too much. I store the thin syrup without added honey in the fridge. Every morning, I add a tablespoon of it to a glass full of water of every family member who will typically drink it after breakfast. I add a tablespoon to my DH's and son's water bottles as well and they drink the elderberry flavored water all day long. There are no problems adding it to anything, including smoothies, tea, pancake syrup, ice-cream etc. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laura Corin Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 We have elder in our garden. It grows like a weed. The birds will have eaten this year's crop, but maybe I'll try to make syrup next year. I'm not completely sold on the health benefits (compared to other fruit/veg) but it might be nice to have for drinks. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fralala Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Good question and one I've wondered myself, because my kids love elderberry but I worry that because it has (potential) medicinal properties it might also be harmful in large doses. (One effect it has on us is increased sweating, especially during the night-- like, wash-the-sheets sweating.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ktgrok Posted February 7, 2018 Author Share Posted February 7, 2018 Which recipe did you use? I just ordered some berries and am looking for a good recipe. One a friend and a mom of five swears by, it's pretty similar to ones I see online. 1 cup dried elderberries 4 cups water 1 tbs whole cloves 1 cinnamon stick (or more) 1 inch piece of fresh ginger, sliced thinly- do not peel 2 cups raw honey You bring everything but the honey to a boil and then reduce to a simmer. Simmer for about 1 hour. Staring through cheese cloth or a sieve or whatever you have. I won't lie, I used my french press. Press/squeeze out as much liquid as possible from the berries. Let cool to below 100 degrees and then add the honey and mix well. Store in the fridge. I actually separated out some and mixed it with maple syrup instead of honey, for the baby. She just gets a little lick of it, but honey is a no no for under 1 year old. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EMS83 Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Elderberry syrup is widely used in a range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic drinks in Austria (a Black Hugo contains elderberry syrup, prosecco, sparkling water and mint). It is also used on pancakes, on ice cream, and in other desserts just as other fruit syrups would be used. I wonder how their health is on average, compared to ours. Probably too many extraneous factors, but that'd be an interesting comparison. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DawnM Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 I just boil the berries in water and simmer for 15-20 min. into a concentrate and then fill ice cube trays and freeze it in small portions. Then I take a cube, add boiling water and a little stevia and make a hot drink out of it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 (edited) Elderberry syrup isn't very syrupy at all when made correctly. It pours freely. I use a similar recipe with raw honey. And you can mix it with something else or put it in tea if you want. We never use more than like a tablespoon a day for maintenance. Edited February 7, 2018 by WoolySocks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bambam Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Do most of you add the spices? I did this time (my first), and I really don't like it with the spices added. Plain is fine (mixed with honey, that is!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mathnerd Posted February 7, 2018 Share Posted February 7, 2018 Do most of you add the spices? I did this time (my first), and I really don't like it with the spices added. Plain is fine (mixed with honey, that is!). Ginger, cloves and cinnamon have medicinal properties (honey as well) which is why most people add them. But, if you do not like the taste of the spices, you can drop them from the recipe. Ederberry, by itself has enough properties in it to interfere with the virus multiplication mechanism according to many websites I looked up a few years ago. My friend adds garlic to the elderberry syrup she makes because of garlic's antibacterial property. She thinks that she can tolerate the garlic taste since it is only a tablespoon of syrup at a time. I can never bring myself to drink it. So, I add garlic to my regular food during the flu season. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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