How to Make Elderberry Syrup from Fresh Elderberries (DIY Guide)

Why I Started Making Elderberry Syrup from Fresh Berries

I used to grab elderberry syrup from the store every cold and flu season, but honestly—it was expensive, packed with sugar, and didn’t always taste great. Once I discovered how easy it is to make elderberry syrup from fresh elderberries, I never looked back. It’s become a natural staple in my home, especially during the fall and winter months.

I also keep these elderberry gummies for kids that mine actually love on hand just in case we run out of syrup or need a quick option.

What You Need to Make Elderberry Syrup at Home

You don’t need a fancy setup to make your own immune-boosting syrup. Here’s what I use every time:

1. 1 cup of fresh elderberries (or frozen if out of season)
2. 3 cups of filtered water
3. 1 cup of raw honey (I prefer local honey)
4. 1 tsp cinnamon
5. 1 tsp dried ginger or fresh ginger slices
6. ½ tsp whole cloves
7. Fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth
8. Medium saucepan
9. Glass jars or a bottle with a tight lid

Bonus tip: If you want to bottle it up like a pro, grab a set of these glass syrup jars on Amazon—they’re the same ones I use for storing my syrup in the fridge.

Step-by-Step – How to Make Elderberry Syrup from Fresh Elderberries

Here’s my simple method that’s worked time and time again. Feel free to tweak it based on your taste.

1. Combine the elderberries, water, cinnamon, ginger, and cloves in a saucepan.
2. Bring it to a boil, then reduce the heat and let it simmer for about 45 minutes.
3. Use a spoon to mash the berries a bit and release all the good stuff.
4. Strain the mixture using a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer.
5. Let the liquid cool down to lukewarm—this is important.
6. Stir in your raw honey and mix until fully dissolved.

That’s it! You now have homemade elderberry syrup ready to go in your fridge. I take about a tablespoon a day for general immune support.

Frozen, Dried, or Fresh Elderberries – What’s the Difference?

You can make elderberry syrup from dried or frozen berries too, but there’s something special about using them fresh. Here’s how they compare:

Fresh elderberries
✔️ Highest potency
✔️ Best flavor
❌ Short shelf life—must use quickly

Frozen elderberries
✔️ Convenient if berries aren’t in season
✔️ Easy to store long-term
❌ Slightly softer texture when cooking

Dried elderberries
✔️ Long shelf life
✔️ Easy to store
❌ Takes longer to extract flavor and potency

If you only have frozen on hand, no worries. You can still follow this same recipe using frozen berries—just don’t thaw them first.

How Long Does Homemade Elderberry Syrup Last?

Homemade elderberry syrup should last up to 2–3 months in the fridge if kept in a sealed jar or bottle. I usually go through it faster, especially if the whole family’s taking it.

You can also freeze the syrup in silicone ice cube trays to have quick doses on hand. Just pop one out and let it melt in a spoon—or stir it into warm water or tea.

When’s the Best Time to Make Elderberry Syrup?

In my experience, late summer to early fall is the sweet spot. That’s when elderberries are ripe and easy to harvest if you’re lucky enough to have access to them. If not, many local farmer’s markets and herbal shops stock fresh or frozen elderberries during that season.

I always try to make a big batch before flu season kicks in—usually mid to late September. That way, we’re stocked up before any sniffles start.

If fresh berries aren’t available, I’ve written about other ways to make elderberry syrup with dried berries or powder that still give you all the goodness.

Can You Use Elderberry Syrup for More Than Just Cold Season?

Absolutely. In my home, we use it way beyond just fighting off colds. Elderberry syrup has become part of our daily immune support routine.

Here’s how we use it:

1. 1 tbsp daily for general wellness (adults)
2. 1 tsp daily for my kids (always check with your pediatrician first)
3. Mixed into warm tea or lemon water in the morning
4. As a natural sweetener in smoothies
5. Sometimes even drizzled on waffles or yogurt

And if you’re more of a chewable vitamin person, you’ll want to check out my full review of these elderberry gummiesthat make wellness super easy.

Important Elderberry Safety Tips You Need to Know

Let’s be honest—elderberries are powerful, but they’re not meant to be consumed raw. Here’s what I’ve learned:

• Never eat fresh elderberries raw. They contain a compound called sambunigrin that can cause nausea or worse if not cooked properly.
• Always cook elderberries thoroughly before use—boiling them like we did in the syrup recipe neutralizes the harmful compounds.
• If you’re foraging, double-check that you’re using black elderberries (Sambucus nigra) and not a lookalike.

This is why I always stick with reputable sources or reliable pre-made options like these gummies on Amazon 👉 Viva Naturals Organic Elderberry Gummies if I’m short on time.

Should Kids Take Elderberry Syrup?

This is a question I get asked a lot by fellow parents. My answer? Yes—but with caution and always age-appropriate.

Here’s what works for us:

• I don’t give syrup to my little ones under 1 because of the raw honey.
• For toddlers over 1, I start with ½ tsp during cold season.
• My older kids (5 and up) take 1 tsp when needed.

If you want a safer, easier alternative, try these sugar-free elderberry gummies for kids. My kids actually ask for them—no more chasing them around with a spoon!

How Elderberry Syrup Fits Into My Natural Wellness Routine

Elderberry syrup isn’t a cure-all, but it’s a solid part of my natural toolkit. Alongside it, I make sure we’re:

1. Getting enough sleep (even if I’m running on coffee some days)
2. Drinking plenty of water
3. Eating whole foods
4. Taking daily supplements like zinc and vitamin C
5. Limiting sugar when we can (try the sugar-free kid gummies for that!)

I always say, elderberry works best when it’s part of a bigger wellness picture, not a solo hero.

Why I Keep Coming Back to Elderberry Syrup

After trying just about every natural remedy on the shelf, nothing has worked quite as consistently for my family as elderberry syrup—especially when made with fresh elderberries right in my own kitchen. It’s affordable, natural, and I know exactly what’s going into it.

If you’ve been wondering how to make elderberry syrup from fresh elderberries, trust me—it’s simpler than you think and absolutely worth doing. And if you ever need a shortcut for busy days, I highly recommend trying the organic elderberry gummies I reviewed here for convenient daily immune support.