Citrus Free Elderberry Tonic Syrup
Deep purple and richly aromatic, this elderberry tonic syrup is the kind of thing you'll want to keep stocked in the fridge all season long. Warm spices like Ceylon cinnamon, cloves, fresh ginger, and turmeric give it a complex, almost mulled quality that makes every spoonful feel genuinely nourishing. Many store-bought wellness syrups sneak in citrus juice or citric acid as a preservative, so making your own is the cleanest way to know exactly what's going in the bottle. The process is straightforward ā a long, slow simmer to coax every bit of color and flavor out of the dried berries, followed by a good press through a fine-mesh strainer to get a smooth, concentrated liquid. Raw honey is stirred in off the heat to preserve its natural qualities and bring a gentle sweetness that balances the earthiness of the turmeric and the warmth of the cloves. Once chilled, the syrup thickens beautifully into a glossy, spoonable consistency that's just as good stirred into warm water or tea as it is taken straight. A single jar goes a long way, and knowing it's free from citrus makes it a genuinely accessible option for anyone navigating that sensitivity.
About FigFig is a food discovery app that helps you find foods and recipes that fit your dietary needs. Whether you have food allergies, intolerances, or follow a specific diet, Fig makes it easy to eat with confidence.
Learn more āIngredients
24 servings
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 3 cups water
- 1 tbsp fresh ginger, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 ceylon cinnamon stick
- 4 whole cloves
- 1 cup raw honey
Instructions
- 1
Combine the dried elderberries, water, ginger, turmeric, Ceylon cinnamon stick, and cloves in a medium saucepan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce the heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, for 40ā45 minutes, until the liquid has reduced by roughly half and the berries are very soft and have released their deep purple color.
- 2
Remove the saucepan from the heat. Use a potato masher or the back of a wooden spoon to press the berries firmly against the side of the pan, extracting as much juice as possible.
Want the full recipe?
Create a Fig account for step-by-step instructions, access to our full recipe library, and more!