Elderberry Winter Tonic
This immune-boosting syrup is made of elderberries and raw honey, which are both anti-viral. Combined with fresh ginger and spices, it makes a delicious and nutrient-rich syrup for use in your healthy kitchen! This recipe can be doubled, tripledm quadrupled or whateverupled. Makes approximately one quart.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh elderberries, washed thoroughly and most stems removed (or 2/3 cup dried)*
- 1 cup water (or 3 cups of water if using dried berries)
- 2 Tb fresh ginger, grated (or 1 tsp dry)
- 1 tsp cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground cloves
- 1/2 cup honey (local and raw, if possible)
Instructions
- Bring berries, spices, and water to a boil, then lower the heat to simmer. Cover and simmer for 20 minutes (or 45 minutes if using dried elderberries). (Word to the wise: don't go out to the garden while this is happening, because invariably it WILL boil over and your son will shriek and you will bolt back to the house, thinking that he has had a horrific accident. You will be relieved that he is not mangled in some way, but your stovetop will be, I'll warrant, a distressing mess.)
- Strain out elderberries, pushing on them with a wooden spoon to get all the juice out.Let cool.
- Stir in honey.
- Decant into bottles or jars and keep in the refrigerator. Lasts for months.
- Use in drinks, on ice cream, pancakes, etc., or just take 1 tsp per day as a health-building tonic.