Elderberry Liqueur Recipe - How to Make Elderberry Liqueur | Hank Shaw (2024)

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4.88 from 32 votes

By Hank Shaw

January 05, 2022 | Updated April 19, 2022

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This recipe produces a warm, rich elderberry liqueur that will remind you of a tawny Port wine, only stronger — and better for you.

Elderberry Liqueur Recipe - How to Make Elderberry Liqueur | Hank Shaw (2)

Elderberries are in many ways little grapes, with a similar aroma, bloom on the skin and color; they even have little seeds inside. So I treated them like wine grapes for this elderberry liqueur recipe.

Fresh elderberries are what you want for this recipe. Dried elderberries will work in a pinch, but it will take you a lot longer to make your liqueur, and they have a raisiny flavor I don’t love.

And with the fresh berries, remember to destem them all — no stems, as they are slightly toxic. OK, no stems is an overstatement, but only by a little. You want to remove as many as you can, but a couple teeny ones here and there won’t hurt.

(Looking for something with elderflowers instead? Here’s my recipe for elderflower liqueur.)

Over the years, I’ve tested two recipes for elderberry liqueur: One where you buzz the berries in a blender, another using whole berries. I vastly prefer the method using whole, fresh berries.

It takes, well… a while to make your elderberry liqueur, at least a month in the jar. And since they are soaking in alcohol, you can leave them there for years. Seriously.

I imagine at some point you will get maximum extraction, however. So I reckon two to three months is enough.

It’s up to you whether to add sugar or honey to your liqueur. I do, but only a little. You add it into the jar with the berries, or after you strain them out. It will take a few days for the sugar to completely dissolve in the alcohol. Shake the jar every day until it does.

Elderberry Liqueur Recipe - How to Make Elderberry Liqueur | Hank Shaw (3)

Elderberries are loaded with immune system boosters, and the extremely expensive elderberry tinctures you buy in the health food store, you know, the ones with the eye droppers, are really just this elderberry liqueur in a teeny bottle.

I say make your own, then, when you are feeling a bit under the weather — but not yet actually sick — treat yourself to a shot of homemade elderberry liqueur that you made, and that cost you just pennies. Am I right?

Looking for other things to make with elderberries? Try making elderberry ice cream, elderberry wine, or an old British sauce called pontack.

4.88 from 32 votes

Elderberry Liqueur

This method works with any berries. Blueberries or huckleberries are good alternatives, as are currants.

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Course: Drinks

Cuisine: American, British

Servings: 25 small drinks

Author: Hank Shaw

Prep Time: 30 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 0 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 pint fresh elderberries
  • 1 quart vodka
  • 3 one-inch pieces of lemon rind, white pith removed
  • sugar to taste

Instructions

  • Put elderberries into a quart Mason jar and pour over the vodka. Add the lemon rind (make sure the rind has no white pith, as it is bitter.) Seal and put in a dark cupboard for at least a month, or up to a year.

  • The alcohol will extract flavor from the elderberries over time, so the longer you let it sit, the inkier it will get.

  • When it is the color you want — anything from a Pinot Noir color to downright black — pour the vodka through a strainer lined with cheesecloth into another jar and add sugar.

  • How much sugar or honey? At least 2 tablespoons, but to your taste. Shake to combine and put back in the cupboard. After a few days or weeks, the sugar will completely dissolve and the elderberry liqueur is ready to drink. It keeps forever.

Notes

Any sweetener you like will work here, but white sugar has the most neutral flavor.

Nutrition

Calories: 102kcal | Carbohydrates: 4g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 53mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 114IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 8mg | Iron: 1mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Tried this recipe? Tag me today!Mention @huntgathercook or tag #hankshaw!

Categorized as:
Berries and Fruits, Foraging, How-To (DIY stuff), Recipe

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About Hank Shaw

Hey there. Welcome to Hunter Angler Gardener Cook, the internet’s largest source of recipes and know-how for wild foods. I am a chef, author, and yes, hunter, angler, gardener, forager and cook. Follow me on Instagram and on Facebook.

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Elderberry Liqueur Recipe - How to Make Elderberry Liqueur | Hank Shaw (2024)

FAQs

What is elderberry liqueur made of? ›

Made with dried elderberries, cinnamon and lemon. Well worth the wait! Minimum 1-month infusion time recommended (though can be drank after a few days).

What is the difference between elderberry and elderflower liqueur? ›

Flavor Profiles

Elderflower has a woodsy and floral taste, and their sweetness comes out when elderflower is cooked. Photo courtesy of Shadi via Unsplash. Compared to elderflower, elderberry has a more intense taste: woodsy and floral, with a dark flavor that can be bitter and earthy when the fruit is consumed raw.

What is the difference between elderberry syrup and elderberry juice? ›

Elderberry Syrup

The elderberry juice needs more sugar to preserve it as a syrup. Do take a look at our ideas for enjoying elderberry syrup in ice cream, chutney and jam, and (needless to say) co*cktails!

How long does homemade elderberry tincture last? ›

Elderberry tincture is made with raw berries that have been infused in 80 percent alcohol over 6 weeks. It's a more time-consuming process, due to the time needed to infuse into the alcohol. One of the main benefits is that an elderberry tincture can last up to five years when stored properly.

What is elderberry liqueur called? ›

St‑Germain ELDERFLOWER LIQUEUR.

What alcohol is made from elderberries? ›

Elderberries grow wild here. They produce a cluster of small purplish fruit that ripen starting mid-August through the beginning of October.

Can I drink elderflower liqueur straight? ›

per bottle! This quarantees the easy mixability with sparkling wine/Champagne, or enjoyed chilled by itself!

Is elderflower liqueur the same as St. Germain? ›

With its sophisticated and subtle flavor profile, elderflower also is increasingly used as a flavoring in craft sodas and nonalcoholic co*cktails. Cooper supposedly based the recipe for what he branded St. Germain on elderflower liqueurs he sampled at bars in London, though St. Germain's version is produced in France.

What form of elderberry is most effective? ›

The most effective form of elderberry supplement depends on personal preference and the reason for taking the supplement. However, studies have shown that elderberry syrup is the most effective form of elderberry supplement for immune support.

Who should not drink elderberry juice? ›

Elderberry appears to have few side effects when used properly for short periods of time (up to 5 days). Pregnant and breastfeeding women should not take elderberry. If you have an autoimmune disease, such as rheumatoid arthritis or lupus, ask your doctor before taking elderberry, as it may stimulate the immune system.

Why is elderberry syrup not FDA approved? ›

Elderberry is not FDA-approved because it's regulated as a supplement, not a drug. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) isn't required to approve a supplement prior to sale and companies manufacturing them are responsible for their safety and labeling them properly.

Is elderberry good for kidneys? ›

Administration of Elderberry is standard folk medicine for difficulties relating to kidney and urine, in addition to cold and cough symptoms caused by inflammation. It also suggested that about 500 milligrams per day of elderberry extract for about 12 weeks is safe and can help with kidney and urinary problems.

What alcohol is best for elderberry tincture? ›

100-proof vodka.

100-proof vodka is typically used in tincture-making because it is 50 percent water and 50 percent alcohol, comprising a standard solution.

Can you take too much elderberry tincture? ›

Elderberry extract is possibly safe when taken for up to 12 weeks. There isn't enough reliable information to know if it is safe to use for longer than 12 weeks. It is possibly unsafe to consume elder leaves or stems, or unripe or uncooked elderberries.

Which is better elderberry tincture or elderberry syrup? ›

Elderberry extract, because it contains no fillers, is much more concentrated than regular syrups. That means you only need ½ tsp for each dose -- 6x more concentrated than regular syrups.

What is the active ingredient in elderberry? ›

Anthocyanins are the major phenolic compounds in the mature fruits of elderberry (560–1347 mg/100 g FW), present mostly as cyanidin derivatives [34,35,36,37,38].

What kind of alcohol is elderflower liqueur? ›

Elderflower liqueur is made from white elderflowers, and it brings a floral, fruity taste to drinks (via Alcohol Professor). The ingredient's popularity helped pave the way for world-recognized labels and craft brands to do business.

What are the benefits of elderberry liqueur? ›

Also, it may support heart health, improve antioxidant status, and have a variety of anti-cancer, anti-diabetes, and anti-inflammatory effects. Moreover, elderberry is a flavorful addition to a healthy diet and a good source of vitamin C, fiber, and antioxidants.

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