Elderberry syrup to help you kick a cold or flu FAST!

This simple, inexpensive elderberry syrup made with dried elderberries offers powerful immune support. As a home remedy it can shorten colds and flu and is commonly used safely by pregnant women and children. Read on for tips, dosages, and how to make your own at home.

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During my first pregnancy I caught a particularly bad cold and was reluctant to take over-the-counter medicines. I was desperate for relief because, for me, winter colds often progress into sinus infections if I don’t act quickly. At six months pregnant, a sinus infection was the last thing I wanted.

Enter elderberry syrup.

I read about elderberry’s antiviral and immune-supporting properties and learned it’s often considered safe for pregnant women. I hurried to my local health store and picked up a bottle of elderberry syrup. After taking it I felt dramatically better the next morning — my cold was largely gone within a day.

The more I researched, the clearer it became that elderberries are effective both for treating symptoms and for helping prevent colds and flu. Since then, my family and I use elderberry regularly during cold and flu season — at least once a week for maintenance, and daily when we think we’ve been exposed to a bug.

Store-bought elderberry syrups are convenient, but they can add up in cost. To keep using elderberry affordably, I started making my own syrup at home.

Homemade elderberry syrup tips

I adapted a reliable recipe and now make elderberry syrup regularly. Many recipes use honey as a sweetener; I prefer making the syrup with 100% fruit juice (apple, grape, or a mix) and offering raw honey separately by the teaspoon if desired. Using juice replicates the taste profile of many store-bought syrups and makes it pleasant for kids.

Apple and grape juices are common bases. You can use just apple, just grape, or combine them. If you prefer a less sweet option, replace the juice with water to make a concentrated tea instead — it will still be effective as a remedy.

Tip: Purple grape juice may offer added stomach-bug benefits, so I often include it for extra reassurance.

If you want to reduce the length of a cold quickly, elderberry syrup is worth trying. Many people report shorter symptom duration when they start it early.

How much elderberry syrup should you take?

When using it to treat a cold or flu you already feel

Adults: 1 tablespoon every 3–4 hours

Kids: 1 teaspoon every 3–4 hours

Note: My children enjoy the taste, so giving it is easy. Always monitor kids closely and consult a pediatrician if you have concerns.

If you are using it as an immune booster

Adults: 1 tablespoon once a day

Kids: 2 teaspoons once a day

We use this schedule after known exposures or during particularly cold, wet weather. Mixing a serving into a small glass of orange juice adds vitamin C and improves palatability.

Note: These are the dosages our family uses. Do your own research and consult a healthcare professional if needed — I am not a medical professional.

What kind of dried elderberries to use & where to get them

I prefer organic dried elderberries when possible. A quality bag of dried berries is cost-effective — one pound can yield multiple batches of syrup and additional tea. If you can source local elderberries, that’s ideal; otherwise, many reputable suppliers sell organic dried elderberries online.

Making elderberry syrup at home stretches your budget further than buying pre-made bottles, and it gives you control over ingredients and sweetness.

Reusing elderberries for extra benefit

After straining the syrup, don’t discard the berries. You can reuse the strained berries and spices to make a second batch of immune-supporting tea. Simply return them to the saucepan, cover with water, bring to a simmer, and strain again. This provides extra benefit and reduces waste.

Elderberry Syrup Recipe

Yield:
2 cups

Cook Time:
1 hour 30 minutes 30 seconds

Total Time:
1 hour 30 minutes 30 seconds

This homemade elderberry syrup is an affordable, easy-to-make remedy that supports the immune system and helps relieve cold and flu symptoms. It’s also kid-friendly and often used during pregnancy with a provider’s guidance.

Ingredients

• 1/2–2/3 cup dried organic elderberries
• 4 cups apple or grape juice, 100%, no sugar added
• 1 tsp ground ginger (or a small slice of fresh)
• 2 tsp cinnamon (sticks or ground)
• 1/2 tsp cloves

Instructions

1. Combine the elderberries, juice (or water), ginger, cinnamon, and cloves in a medium saucepan and bring to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
2. Allow to simmer gently for 30–90 minutes, reducing the liquid by about half to create a concentrated syrup.
3. Remove from heat and let cool slightly.
4. Strain through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a glass container, pressing the solids to extract liquid. Reserve the strained berries for a second round of tea.
5. Store the finished syrup in a 16 oz glass jar in the refrigerator for up to three weeks.

Notes

Used berries can be reused for another round of tea: return the strained berries and spices to a saucepan, cover with water, simmer, and strain again. This yields an additional immune-supporting beverage.