When making elderberry syrup there are a few key elements to keep in mind. First, when choosing your berries, look for elderberries that are fully ripe and dark purple in color. Make sure you rinse the berries thoroughly prior to cooking to remove any lingering dust or bugs, especially if you’ve foraged the berries locally.
Don’t cook the berries over too high a heat. A gentle simmer is all that’s needed to extract the complex and elegant earthy, fruity flavors from the berries to make a delicious syrup. When straining the berries through the sieve, you can push them into the mesh to extract as much liquid as possible.
In the recipe above we’ve shared a couple of simple ingredients to add to your syrup to introduce spicy flavors, but you can build on this list. Many chefs will also incorporate elements, such as sliced ginger or star anise, to create an even more flavorful syrup.
For tips on how to use elderberry syrup, approach it as you would a maple syrup. It’s ideal drizzled over a stack of pancakes with red berries in the fall, or mixed into classic cocktails. For a savory option, use it as a glaze for your go-to roast in the colder months, such as a roasted duck. Or stir into a traditional tea with astragalus root, for a drink with added nutritional benefits.
If you’ve been foraging for your elderberries, you’ll find elderflowers on the same plant during the spring. The flower is perfect for making sweet syrups or featuring in delicate recipes, such as elderflower fritters.
Choosing Dried vs. Fresh Elderberries
Now you know how you make elderberry syrup, you may be considering whether or not to use dried or fresh elderberries. Fresh elderberries can only be used seasonally, from late summer to early fall, which naturally limits the time you have to make this recipe. Dried elderberries are available throughout the year, and have been prepared for cooking. The dried berries also tend to have a more intense flavor, as a result of the drying process, which can be preferable for syrups. If you choose to use dried berries, simply simmer for 30 minutes, instead of 15 minutes in the recipe above, to rehydrate the fruit.
How to Store and Preserve Your Syrup
Wondering how long elderberry syrup is good for? If stored correctly, your elderberry syrup should last for three months when stored in the refrigerator. Or, for long-term storage, you can freeze the syrup and keep it for a year. Ensure the container has been properly sterilized prior to transferring your syrup into the jar and look for any signs of spoilage, such as mold or bubbles, prior to eating.
