Some times as a family we go road hunting, I drive while my husband is looking for a buck, our three girls also help daddy look for a buck:) While road hunting this last season we kept driving by these bushes that had clusters of berries on them, I asked my husband if they could possibly be tiny grapes?? He said "no" in distracted hunter voice. :) I couldn't stop think about those berries and wondering what they could be, then we drove by a cute older couple picking these clusters of berries. I rolled down my window to ask them what kind of berries they were??? That's when I found out that Elderberries grow in Oregon:) Thank you Lord:) That's when I decided I really really loved road hunting!
We ended up picking 54 cups worth of elderberries this year. I am google freak, so I googled how to make Elderberry Syrup. This is how I make it.
Elderberry Syrup ~
2 cups Elderberries
4 cups water
2 cups Raw Honey
I put the elderberries in a pan with the water and let it simmer for about 35 minutes. Then I strain the seeds into cheese cloth, and take the juice and mix 2 cups of the elderberry juice (Cooled) with 2 cups honey in a quart size mason jar, put a lid on it then shake it up and put it in the fridge.
Its awesome on vanilla ice cream, but its also medicinal (Not for babies under 1 because of the honey). I also put it in plain yogurt for my girls, and they love it. I know it sounds like a lot of honey, but if you use raw honey it is super good for you so it just makes the syrup that much better for you:)
Picture Borrowed from Simply Recipes Blog
So far this year no one in our home has been sick, at all! And trust me we are surrounded by sickos! By this time last year (No elderberry syrup) my girls had at least 2-3 colds. So all that to say, this stuff is amazing.. But I give all the glory to the Lord God for creating elderberries, and guiding me to them:)
P.S. I also made some elderberry jam, it tastes amazing. If any one wants that recipe let me know:)
Used the recipe and it rocks!
ReplyDeleteI make elderberry syrup for my grandkids (not with honey). They call it their "black ice cream vitamins" because they keep it in the freezer. Their mama's are positive the elderberry cuts down on colds!
ReplyDeleteGood to know! I'd love to make some of this if I can find Elderberries anywhere around these parts of NC...
ReplyDeleteSpectacular!!! I am SO glad I popped in here from the Barn Hop today! I have a very expensive bottle of E syrup in my medicine box, and it pains me knowing that it can be made -- for SOOOO much less!
ReplyDeleteThank you thank you thank you!!
One question, though: how long will this remain "good?"
Dr. Momi ~ I am pretty positive it cuts down on colds, my girls have hardly been sick this winter, definately less then before they took it, and they LOVE it..
ReplyDeleteMegan ~ Not sure if it is in NC?? I know you can buy the trees and plant them in your yard.. Google it, I google EVERYTHING:)
Sally ~ Im so glad you came by too:) It is soo expensive compared to making it your self, definately worth it too!
I love elderberries! I wish I could find somewhere to pick them around here. They were much more plentiful back where I grew up in Idaho. Thanks for sharing this delicious recipe with the Homestead Barn Hop!
ReplyDeleteJill ~ I wish you could find some too.. I know you can buy dried elderberrys online some where and they work the same as using fresh elderberrys, might be kind of spendy though:(
ReplyDeleteThanks for the recipe. I have 2 cup frozen bags of elderberry that we used for a 'cough syrup' from a recipe from Mt. Rose Herbs.
ReplyDeleteBut, now that spring is here and flu season over, I wanted to do something with those.
What a great recipe to do this with yogurt, pancakes, or on ice cream-yum!
Jennifer ~ We have tried the elderberry syrup on yogurt, pancakes, and ice cream and its amazing! You will love it:)
ReplyDeleteMmmmm! Yummy! I LOVE elderberry syrup and so do my girls! We use a recipe from Mountain Rose Herbs and use the dried elderberries. What part of Oregon do you find the elderberries in? It would be so neat to pick our own! Or maybe I should plant a bush in our yard...hmmmm. :) Thanks for sharing!
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