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    Home » Recipes » Gut Healing

    Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup

    Published: May 11, 2020 · Modified: Dec 1, 2021 by Kristen Wood - This post may contain affiliate links.

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    a pinterest pin for elderberry syrup recipe

    A super easy Elderberry Syrup recipe for the Instant Pot. This immune system boosting tonic is flavorful, versatile and packed with health benefits too!

    a glass bottle on a wooden backdrop

    Elderberry Syrup is such an easy, delicious and beneficial thing to have on hand both for its delicious flavor and potential health benefits. This vitamin C-rich delight has been shown in studies to boost the immune system, battle both bacterial and viral infections and have overall anti-inflammatory benefits. Best of all? It's like a guilt-free sweet treat you can enjoy a myriad of ways!

    Table Of Contents
    • Elderberry Syrup
    • Why The Instant Pot?
    • Ingredients
    • How-To Make
    • Tips, Tricks and Substitutions
    • Uses
    • You Might Also Like
    a bottle with elderberry syrup sparkling in the sunlight

    Elderberry Syrup

    The Elder Tree, and its bits and parts have been revered for centuries to fight off all that ails you. Its berries are the star of the show in this Elderberry Syrup recipe, but keep in mind elderberries should always be cooked before ingesting, as raw elderberries are toxic and can cause unpleasant side effects. But no bother, the Instant Pot takes care of that in no time at all!

    Why The Instant Pot?

    I've made Elderberry the traditional way on the stovetop many times before (you can find that recipe saved in my Instagram Stories), but there is something really magical that happens when you make it in the Instant Pot. Pressure cooking seems to truly infuse all of the beautiful flavors and additional ingredients, resulting in a tastier (and likely more potent!) Elderberry Syrup.

    an instant pot liner filled with elderberries

    Ingredients

    • Dried elderberries.
    • Cinnamon.
    • Ginger.
    • Dried lemon peel.
    • Raw honey.

    Note: please see recipe card towards bottom of post for all ingredient amounts and full instructions.

    a hand holding a bowl of honey

    How-To Make

    1. Add all ingredients, except honey, to your Instant Pot.
    2. Cook on manual high pressure for 9 minutes. Let pressure release naturally for 5 minutes, then quick release the pressure valve.
    3. Set Instant Pot to the saute function. Saute for 10 minutes.
    4. Press cancel and strain the liquid from the Instant Pot liner.
    5. Let the liquid cool to room temperature before stirring in honey.
    6. Store in the fridge and enjoy!

    Tips, Tricks and Substitutions

    Elderberries

    I like to use dried elderberries for ease and convenience, but fresh elderberries can be used instead if that's what you have on hand! Simply replace the 1 cup of dried elderberries with 5 cups of fresh elderberries.

    Cinnamon

    1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon can be used in place of the cinnamon stick in a pinch.

    Ginger Root

    4 teaspoons of ground ginger can be used in place of the fresh ginger root if need be.

    Lemon Peel

    2 teaspoons lemon zest can be used in place of the dried lemon peel (or omitted altogether!).

    Honey + Dietary Options

    High-quality raw honey is advised for making elderberry syrup due to its inherent health benefits that only serve to amplify and pair well with elderberries own benefits. If you cannot eat honey or you follow a vegan diet -- maple syrup, agave syrup or coconut nectar can used in honey's place, it just will not have all of the added anti-bacterial benefits. If you are on a sugar-free diet, I recommend replacing the honey with this sugar-free honey substitute.

    Storage

    Keep your prepared homemade elderberry syrup stored in an airtight container, glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 8 weeks (to be on the safe side). Elderberry syrup is one of those things that can potentially keep well for several months, but you if see any changes in the scent, flavor or appearance, do not take any chances and toss that batch. I find 8 weeks to be a sweet spot for having never seen any changes arise during that length of time. Bonus: it's not likely to last that long anyway!

    a bottle of elderberry syrup
    a grolsch bottle on a wooden backdrop

    Uses

    • On its own! I advise 1 tablespoon/day for adults and 1 teaspoon/day for kiddos.
    • You can add it to tea, or carbonated water for a fruity, fizzy drink.
    • Drizzled over pancakes or waffles.
    • Swirled into oatmeal or yogurt.
    • Add into smoothies.
    • Mix into salad dressings.
    • Drizzle on ice cream or chocolate for some extra decadence.
    sunlit elderberry syrup in a clear bottle

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    a close up of bottle of elderberry syrup

    If you try this recipe please let me know! Leave a comment, rate it, share this post, use Pinterest’s “tried it” feature, or take a photo, & tag me on Instagram and I’ll share it! Thank you so much! <3

    a glass bottle on a wooden backdrop

    Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup Recipe

    A super easy Elderberry Syrup recipe for the Instant Pot. This immune system boosting tonic is flavorful, versatile and packed with health benefits too!
    5 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate SaveSaved!
    Course: Beverages, Condiments, Lifestyle
    Cuisine: European
    Diet: Gluten Free, Low Fat, Low Lactose, Low Salt, Vegetarian
    Cook Time: 19 minutes
    Total Time: 19 minutes
    Servings: 80
    Author: Kristen Wood

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup dried elderberries
    • 5 cups water
    • 1 cinnamon stick see tips section above in post for other options
    • 1 two inch knob ginger root, roughly chopped see tips section above in post for other options
    • 1/2 teaspoon dried lemon peel optional
    • 3/4 cup raw honey see tips section above in post for other options
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • To the liner of your Instant Pot add elderberries, water, cinnamon, ginger root, and lemon peel.
    • Set to manual high pressure for 9 minutes.
    • Quick release pressure, then set the Instant Pot to saute mode.
    • Saute for 10 minutes. Press cancel.
    • Using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, carefully strain the liquid from the cooked ingredients.
    • Let the liquid cool to room temperature, then stir in the raw honey until fully dissolved.
    • Store the elderberry syrup in airtight containers, bottles or jars in the refrigerator for up to 8 weeks.
    • Enjoy!

    Notes

    Please see the "Tips, Tricks, and Substitutions" section above in the post for valuable information.
    Want to make it the traditional way? Visit our Homemade Elderberry Syrup Recipe over on our sister site.
    View as a Web Story.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1tablespoon | Calories: 11kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 7mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 11IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 2mg | Iron: 1mg

    Recommended Products

    Instant Pot
    Dried Elderberries
    Raw Honey
    Have you tried this recipe?Please Rate + Comment Below!
    Mention on Instagram!@moon.and.spoon.and.yum

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Gene H says

      August 11, 2022 at 12:20 pm

      If using fresh elderberries, is the amount of water in the recipe reduced?

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        August 11, 2022 at 12:36 pm

        Hi, Gene! No need to reduce the water. Just be certain to use 5 cups of fresh elderberries. I hope this helps!

        Reply
    2. Gabriella @ Putumayo Kitchen says

      May 12, 2020 at 2:41 am

      Beautiful! Ahh I love elder ... what a wonderful medicine and teacher <3 xxxx

      Reply
      • Kristen Wood says

        May 12, 2020 at 10:14 am

        Thank you! Me as well! xo.

        Reply

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    kristen wood

    About Kristen Wood

    Hi, I'm Kristen! A mama, food writer, photographer, recipe developer, and cookbook author. I enjoy sharing both wildly creative and ridiculously practical gluten-free vegetarian recipes that are approachable for all. Welcome!

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