Elderberry Syrup
Description
Elderberries are full of vitamins and antioxidants, and they're delicious too. This is still one of the most popular herbal cold remedies in Europe. I used to find this in most grocery stores in Germany.
And now that fall is around the corner, it's time to stock up on cold syrups. The elderberries ripen just at the right time!
Ingredients
Instructions
Put the berries, spices, and water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer 30-45 minutes. Stir and smash the berries while they cook, to get the most out of the berries. Strain out the solids, cool the liquid to warm but not hot, and add your honey to the liquid. Mix the honey thoroughly into the syrup. If you have chickens, give them the boiled berries.
Add your brandy. If you like, add a tad more than a shot. The alcohol preserves the syrup. If you don't consume alcohol, just omit it, but maybe make a smaller batch. Without alcohol, I've found that the syrup keeps for about two months in the fridge.
When you feel a cold or flu (or covid) coming on, have a shot of this syrup. When I catch a cold, I take about three shots a day, and the cold usually goes away within three days.
Note
Make sure you're using either black elderberries (the European elderberry) or the blue gray elderberries, which are native to the Pacific Northwest. The red elderberries can give you quite a tummy ache. Always cook your elderberries before consuming them.
