Elderberry Simple Syrup

I'm telling you... finding elderberry bushes in the woods was so exciting for me. Why? Well, maybe it's because we love & live taking Sambucol which is an elderberry supplement. Yup, I've been giving this yummy addition to the family for as long as I could remember. (We do take breaks however, so that the our bodies do not develop a tolerance to the vitamins.) So... adding something like this homemade simple syrup, once in awhile, to our teas or warm milk in place of honey is something pretty special. Not to mention - it serves great for mixed cocktails as well... wink, wink.

This is an old little something ~ my mother said ~ they used to do in Serbia. Collect the elderberry flower heads and place them in a pot. (I did not rinse my flower heads either.) Fill the pot with bottled water, just enough to submerge the flowers. Cover with a lid and let it sit for 24 hours. The next day, you should a slight tinge of yellow water. Take it to the stove and bring your flowers and water to a rapid boil. Once boiling, take it away from the heat and strain the flowers out. You may have to do this part a second time with an unbleached coffee filter so that all those tiny particles are completely gone. Next add that sugah!

Simple Syrup Recipe

~ 1 part sugar to 1 part water~

When all the sugar has melted and the bubbling appears a little 'thick', remove it from the heat and bottle the syrup immediately. You can re-use old bottles, but only if they have been used for drinks. Remember - no canned food jars! Also, remember not to close the bottle until it cools down a bit. Once you put the cap on, it should go straight in the fridge!

The syrup is a pretty yellow & tastes divine as an addition to homemade lemonade with mint! If you're feeling a little creative in the kitchen, I would definitely give this a try! For more information regarding the history and use of elderberries, check out Sacred Earth.

Hope you enjoy!

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