Elderberries and honey are two simple ingredients that pair beautifully together.
Elderberries have a tart, fruity flavor, while honey adds sweetness and creates an easy way to use the berries in teas, drinks and recipes.
If you've been wondering how to make elderberry infused honey at home, there's one important thing to know first: elderberries should be properly cooked before eating.
Here's a simple way to make it.
Can You Put Dried Elderberries Directly Into Honey?
We don't recommend simply adding dried elderberries to a jar of honey and eating the berries without cooking them first.
Raw or improperly prepared elderberries can contain naturally occurring compounds that may cause nausea, vomiting and diarrhea. Cooking reduces this risk, and dried elderberries should still be heat-treated before consumption.
Instead, we're going to cook the elderberries first and then combine the prepared elderberry mixture with honey.
Easy Elderberry Honey Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cup dried elderberries
- 1 cup water
- Honey, to taste
Directions:
- Add the dried elderberries and water to a small saucepan.
- Bring to a boil.
- Boil the elderberries for at least 10 minutes.
- Reduce the liquid as desired, then remove from the heat.
- Strain the elderberries from the liquid.
- Allow the elderberry liquid to cool before mixing in honey to taste.
- Transfer to a clean container and refrigerate.
Because this is a homemade preparation rather than a shelf-stable canned product, keep it refrigerated rather than storing it at room temperature.
What Does Elderberry Honey Taste Like?
Elderberries have a tart, fruity and slightly earthy flavor.
Honey balances that tartness with sweetness, creating a flavorful combination that's easy to add to other foods and drinks.
The exact flavor will also depend on the variety of honey you use.
Ways to Use Elderberry Honey
Try it:
- Stirred into herbal tea
- Added to warm water
- Drizzled over oatmeal
- Mixed into yogurt
- Added to smoothies
- Drizzled over toast
- Used anywhere you'd normally enjoy flavored honey
Just remember that honey should not be given to children under 12 months old.
Make It With Ingredients From the Refillery
One of our favorite things about simple recipes is that you don't need a cabinet full of ingredients.
For this one, you can pick up dried elderberries and honey from Life Essentials Refillery.
If you're shopping with us in South Tampa, you can also buy the amount of dried elderberries you actually need instead of purchasing a large package for one recipe.
Where to Buy Dried Elderberries in Tampa
Life Essentials Refillery carries dried elderberries along with a large selection of loose herbs, teas and spices.
Visit us at:
Life Essentials Refillery
4317 W El Prado Blvd
Tampa, FL 33629
You can also shop online.
A Quick Elderberry Safety Reminder
Elderberries aren't an ingredient where we'd recommend skipping the preparation instructions.
Raw or unripe elderberries and other parts of the elder plant can contain cyanide-producing compounds. Cooking the berries is important, including when starting with dried elderberries.
If you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medications or considering elderberry for a health-related purpose, speak with a qualified healthcare professional. Research on elderberry's safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding is limited.