Working with Elderberries this Season

Elderberries have long been seen as allies during the colder months, small dark fruits carrying the strength of the hedge and the wisdom of the season. To build a relationship with elderberries is to invite their protection and nourishment into your daily routine. One of the simplest ways to do that is with elderberry syrup. Here in the shop, we keep bottles ready for you, but it is also something you can craft at home.

Basic Elderberry Syrup Recipe

1 cup dried elderberries (or 2 cups fresh if available)

4 cups water

1 to 2 cinnamon sticks

3 to 4 whole cloves

A thumb of fresh ginger, sliced

1 cup raw honey (added after cooling)

Combine the elderberries, water, and spices in a pot and bring to a gentle simmer. Let it cook down until the liquid has reduced by almost half. Strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing the berries to release their juices. Once cooled to just warm, stir in the honey and bottle your syrup. Store in the refrigerator and use within a few months.

This is only the beginning. You can make the recipe your own by adding herbs like thyme for the lungs, rose hips for extra vitamin C, or calming flowers like chamomile. Each addition changes the character of the syrup and allows you to work with elderberry in a way that reflects your own needs and intuition.

Elderberry Latte

For a cozy ritual, try adding your syrup into a latte. Warm a cup of milk or milk alternative on the stove with a cinnamon stick, whisk until frothy, then stir in 1 to 2 tablespoons of elderberry syrup. The result is velvety, spiced, and soothing, perfect for mornings that need a gentle lift or evenings that call for a soft landing.

Elderberry Mocktail

If you’re looking for something refreshing, pour a splash of elderberry syrup into a glass of sparkling water, then add a shot of cranberry juice. For evenings, swap in tart cherry juice to gently encourage melatonin production and prepare your body for rest. Garnish with a twist of lemon or a sprig of rosemary if you like, and you have a drink that feels both celebratory and restorative.

Whether you pick up a bottle here at the shop or simmer a pot on your own stove, the ritual is the same. Elderberries invite us to slow down, to tend ourselves, and to remember that resilience often begins with small, steady acts of care.