Elderberry Shrub: Immune Boost Tonic
A tangy, immune-boosting elderberry shrub concentrate made with honey, apple cider vinegar, and fresh or frozen elderberries. Perfect for natural cold and flu support.
Ingredients
- 1 cup elderberries fresh or frozen
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar with the mother
- 0.5 cup honey raw and local if possible
- 1 pinch ground cloves optional
- 1 cinnamon stick cinnamon stick optional
Instructions
- Combine elderberries, apple cider vinegar, honey, and optional spices in a clean glass jar.
- Stir well to ensure all ingredients are thoroughly mixed and the honey begins to dissolve.
- Cover the jar tightly with a lid and store it in the refrigerator for at least 3 to 5 days, shaking the jar once daily to promote infusion.
- After the desired infusion period, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into another clean bottle or jar. Press firmly on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
- Discard the remaining elderberry solids. The concentrated elderberry shrub can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.
- To serve, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of the shrub concentrate with 6 to 8 ounces of sparkling water or still water, or use it as a flavorful base in cocktails.
Notes
For a quicker infusion, you can gently heat the mixture over low heat for 10-15 minutes, then cool completely before refrigerating. The shrub can be mixed with sparkling water for a refreshing drink, added to cocktails, or used in salad dressings. Feel free to add other spices like a star anise or ginger slices for varied flavor.