Elderberry Shrub Recipes

ELDERBERRY SYRUP

Steps:

• Place elderberries, water, cinnamon stick, cloves, and ginger in a saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to low, and simmer for 30 minutes. Use a potato masher to mash berries to release juice; strain the mixture through a fine sieve, retaining juice and discarding the pulp. Let juice cool.
• Stir in honey until thoroughly combined and transfer to a lidded jar. Keeps in refrigerator 2 to 3 months.

ELDERBERRY SHRUB

Steps:

• Wash and dry the elderberries, place them in a pint-size jar or non-reactive bowl, and lightly crush using a fork or potato masher.
• Add vinegar and stir to combine.
• Cover and refrigerate for at least 24 hours, occasionally shaking the jar or stirring the contents of the bowl.
• Give the mixture a good shake or stir and then strain using a fine-mesh strainer and/or cheesecloth.
• Discard the solids.
• Measure the liquid.
• For every cup of liquid, use 1 cup of sugar.
• Combine liquid and sugar in a saucepan.
• Bring to a boil over medium-low heat, stirring to dissolve the sugar.
• Boil for 5 minutes and remove from heat.
• Let cool; bottle, and refrigerate for up to 2 weeks (the longer it steeps, the more mellow the flavor).
• To serve, mix with sparking water. Start with 1 part shrub to 6 parts sparkling water and adjust to taste. The syrup may also be mixed with plain water or used in cocktails.