Elderberry Shrub: Immune Tonic Recipe
A tangy, sweet, and immune-boosting tonic made with the goodness of elderberries, apple cider vinegar, and honey. This refreshing shrub is perfect for supporting your wellness during cold and flu season or simply enjoying as a unique beverage.
Ingredients
- 1 cup elderberries fresh or dried
- 1 cup apple cider vinegar high quality
- 0.5 cup honey local (adjust to taste)
Instructions
- In a clean glass jar, combine the elderberries (fresh or dried) with the apple cider vinegar. Ensure the berries are mostly submerged.
- Cover the jar tightly and place it in the refrigerator. Let it infuse for 3 to 7 days, gently shaking the jar once a day to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
- After the infusion period, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean bowl, pressing the solids to extract all the liquid. Discard the elderberry solids.
- Stir in the honey until it is fully dissolved. Taste the shrub and adjust the sweetness if desired.
- Pour the finished elderberry shrub into a clean, airtight bottle or jar. Store it in the refrigerator, where it can last for several months.
Notes
For best results, let the shrub infuse for at least 3-5 days in the refrigerator, or up to 2 weeks for a stronger flavor. If using dried elderberries and desiring a stronger extraction, you may gently simmer them in 1 cup of filtered water for 10-15 minutes, cool, strain, and then combine the liquid and softened berries with the vinegar. Serve your elderberry shrub diluted with sparkling water, still water, or even in cocktails. Feel free to experiment with different types of vinegar, such as white wine vinegar or champagne vinegar, for varied flavor profiles. Adjust honey to taste.