Elderflower Syrup

Elderflowers, elderberries, and fresh ginger are the key components to this syrup. They all have properties that can help enhance your immune systems, but they are also quite tasty. The combination of ingredients in this blend can bring warmth to the body, help clear the lungs, moisten the respiratory passages to sooth the cough that can be caused by the dry heat from home heating systems.

This recipe makes two cups of the syrup, which can be used for its medicinal properties or just because it tastes good. This syrup can be added to teas, hot or cold water, drizzled on pancakes and other foods, or added to smoothies. I suggest using one tablespoon at a time. As with many syrups, a little can go a long way. It should be kept refrigerated, and used within a month of the date it is bottled.

Ingredients:

2 Cups of sugar

1 Quart of water

1 ¾ Ounce of fresh (or dried) elderflowers

¾ Cup of fresh (or dried) elderberries (If using dried, rehydrate first)

1 Teaspoon of anise seed

1 Small cinnamon stick

1 Tablespoon of fresh grated ginger

Juice from half a lemon

Directions:

1. Put all of the ingredients except lemon juice and sugar into a saucepan.

2. Add the water, cover, and simmer on low heat for around thirty minutes.

3. Strain the liquid into a large measuring cup or jug.

4. Rinse out the saucepan then return two cups of the liquid you just strained to the pan. Any remaining liquid can be saved and drunk as a tea.

5. Add the sugar to the liquid.

6. Return the pan to low heat and stir continually to dissolve the sugar into the liquid.

7. When the sugar has completely dissolved, add the lemon juice.

8. Let the blend simmer gently for ten to twenty minutes.

9. Bring the blend to a boil for around two minutes and then remove from heat.

10. Pour the resulting syrup into a clean pint sized glass bottle while it is still hot.

11. Seal the bottle and label it with the date and all the ingredients,.

12. Refrigerate the bottle. The syrup is ready to use as soon as it is cool.