Elderberry Quest: Brew Magical Syrups And Teas for a Cozy Winter
While raising my little family, I often turned to our favorite herb for support during the winter season—the venerable elderberry, which was always kept close at hand. You may have encountered this herb in your reading as it is often mentioned as part of forest landscapes and even in relation to magic and fae. Yet this little black berry is well-used and beloved among herbalists. Happily, it is simple to craft into tasty teas and syrups that can be enjoyed during the winter months to help ease colds and flu.
Find recipes for your own crafting quest below and also find info about elder over on our Materia Medica:
“In the middle of the tree sat a pleasant-looking old woman...
They call her the Elder-tree Mother. ”
Brew Up A Mug Of Spiced Elderberry Tea
Elderberries make a delicious addition to teas and can even be brewed up alone for a yummy mug of tea.
Here is a very simple recipe for you to try for one big mug of tea. You can double the recipe for more tea to share with family and friends.
Ingredients
1 tablespoon dried elderberries
1 tablespoon dried rosehips
1 cinnamon stick
½” chopped fresh ginger root
16 oz water
Directions
Place all the herbs in a small sauce pot and cover with water.
Bring to a gentle simmer and let it simmer for 15 to 30 minutes.
Strain and serve with honey, if desired
“In the river meadows, alders, brambles and wild vines formed a magical jungle, dappled with shimmering, greenish light and spangled with twirling forest particles. Marshy pools lay sparkling among the elderberries and leaning beeches.”
Brew Up A Pot of Delicious Elderberry Syrup
Every herbalist seems to have their own well-loved elderberry syrup recipe, and I am going to share mine below! This is our favorite way to enjoy elderberries! Herbal syrups offer a wonderful way to prepare herbs in batches and then use them over time. Plus herbal syrups are usually delicious and this recipe is no exception! It is spice-filled and preserved with plenty of soothing honey making it a perennial favorite in our home. Note that if you don’t want to make your own syrup, you can often find a bottle to bring home at your local herbal apothecary or natural grocery store.
Find printable instructions to make your own batch below, it is easy peasy and so delicious!
Printable Recipe Card!
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Printable Recipe Card! 〰️
What Can You Do With Elderberry Syrup?
Beyond taking elderberry syrup by the spoonful, you can enjoy it in place of maple syrup over pancakes, use it in teas for extra sweetness and flavor, or even make elderberry syrup into gummies.
My daughter and I had fun including elderberry syrup in a recipe for creating a healthy version of purply ‘Shimmer’ from the show Arcane. (If you are up for a decidedly not cozy show with fantastic music and animation, check out Arcane. It is quite awesome.)
Make your own beautiful drink with the power of tasty elderberry syrup in every sip with the instructions linked below!
This winter we also tried making a tasty jam using our elderberry syrup as a base. This recipe from the Herbal Academy calls for fresh blueberries. We used a big bag of mixed frozen berries in place of blueberries and let all of the juicy goodness cook down. Find their recipe here and enjoy!
Of Special Note
Note that some species of elderberry are poisonous. Make sure you get your berries from a reputable source. Species used for consumption are: Sambucus nigra, S. canadensis.
While elder is considered safe for most people, there are some contraindications for use to consider such as migraines and dryness. The seeds can cause digestive upset for some folks.
As we move forward into the depths of winter, I leave you with wishes of wellbeing and happiness at the promise of spring ahead, and this lovely poem from Evelyn Casey.
Until next time nerdy fairies!
