Instant Pot elderberry syrup is a soothing drink for cold and flu season that's so easy to make! Whip up a batch now, so you'll have it when you need it.
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Making elderberry syrup on the stovetop takes a really long time, but you can make a batch in a fraction of that time by using your Instant Pot to make elderberry syrup instead!
My family has been using this elderberry syrup to ease cold and flu symptoms for years. And there's even science behind it!
This is actually a shrub syrup, meaning that it uses vinegar to give it a sweet-and-sour flavor. So not only can it help you feel better faster, but it tastes delicious!
✓ Ingredients and substitutions
- dried elderberries - You can find these online and at some health food stores. There is no substitute here.
- apple cider vinegar - This gives the syrup its tangy flavor. If you prefer a more traditional elderberry shrub, just use extra water instead.
- sugar - We are making a syrup, which uses sugar. It's going to feel like a lot of sugar, but remember that this recipe yields 80 servings!
- fresh oregano - Oregano also has immune-boosting properties, which is why I add it to my syrup. You can omit, if you want.
🥣 How to make Instant Pot elderberry syrup
Combine all of your ingredients in your Instant Pot (or pressure cooker). Bring to high pressure for 20 minutes, then do a natural release.
Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the elderberry syrup into clean glass canning jars. It's important to use canning jars, because they are heat-safe, and this syrup is still going to be pretty hot as you strain it. No shattered jars, please!
Let the jars sit, loosely covered, on the counter until they are cool enough to handle, then screw on the lids, and refrigerate.
To serve, mix one to two tablespoons of elderberry shrub with water or seltzer to taste, and sip. When I feel run down, I add two tablespoons to my 20 ounce water bottle and fill it up a couple of times per day.
💡 Helpful tip
Please make sure that your storage jars are heat proof! The syrup will still be quite hot when you're straining it, and I don't want your jars to shatter.
🫙 Storage directions
This recipe makes about 2 ½ pints of elderberry syrup. It will keep for a few months in the refrigerator.
💬 Frequently asked questions
There is evidence that elderberry can help ease flu symptoms!
According to Mount Sinai hospital, "Because elderberry may stimulate the immune system, it could interfere with medications taken to suppress the immune system. These medications include corticosteroids (prednisone) and medications used to treat autoimmune diseases. People with organ transplants should also avoid elderberry."
Uncooked elderberries can upset your stomach, so do recommend straining them out.
More soothing drinks
📖 Recipe
Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
Equipment
- Pint Jars - or quart jars. Just make sure they're heat safe.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 2 cups apple cider vinegar or 2 cups additional water, if you don't want it tangy
- 2 cups water
- 2 cups organic sugar
- ½ cup fresh oregano optional
Instructions
- Combine all of your ingredients in your Instant Pot (or pressure cooker). Bring to high pressure for 20 minutes, then do a natural release.
- Use a fine mesh strainer to strain the elderberry syrup into clean glass canning jars. It's important to use canning jars, because they are heat-safe, and this syrup is still going to be pretty hot as you strain it. No shattered jars, please!
- Let the jars sit, loosely covered, on the counter until they are cool enough to handle, then screw on the lids, and refrigerate.
- To serve, mix 1 to 2 tablespoons of elderberry shrub with water or seltzer to taste, and sip. When I feel run down, I add 2 tablespoons to my 20 ounce water bottle and fill it up a couple of times per day.
Senia
I love all the benefits of using raw ACV with the mother, but doesn’t putting it through the pressure cooker negate these? Could you just wait to incorporate the ACV until the end after the berries/sugar/water have been pressure cooked?
Becky Striepe
That's a great idea! Let me know how it works, if you try it. My only worry is that you might not have enough liquid that way, so you may need to play with the water to vinegar ratio.
Robyn Power
Making my first batch to get ready for the season!! I added cinnamon sticks, orange peel and subbed the sugar for coconut sugar/brown sugar (that was all I had).
Becky Striepe
Oh, that sounds delicious!
Cadry
This recipe came at just the right time! I'm in the middle of a cold, and I'd love this right now. I've never had a shrub, but I'm all about vinegar. So I'm sure I'd be all over it. I wonder if they have dried elderberries at my local co-op. I'll have to look for them!
Becky Striepe
I hope it helps! Lingering colds are the pits.
Sarah De la Cruz
Oh yum! I love elderberry flavor—the cough drops I get are elderberry! I made a shrub once and it was much more complicated. I like your version so much more!!!
Becky Striepe
I’m so intrigued by this shrub you made! I need to get those deets and try it out.
Leeanne
My Little’s Have been so sick this year hoping this may help , safe for kids right ?
Also We don’t do sugar ,Can honey be used instead of sugar if so how much ?
Thank you
Becky Striepe
My 4yo drinks it! I do not use honey, so I’m not sure about the sub.
Dianne
I've never used elderberries for colds before, but I'm definitely up for trying it. I tend to get really nasty colds, and they linger forever.
Becky Striepe
Sine D started preschool, it’s been the same for me!
Nikki
This recipe sounds delicious! Question though, do I have to use sugar?
Becky Striepe
A shrub is a vinegar-based simple syrup, so you do need sugar. You can try reducing the amount of sugar, but I can't guarantee the results if you do that.
Amy Katz from Veggies Save The Day
I definitely need to make this. Cold season is kicking my butt this year! It looks really delicious, too, and I love the photos.
Becky Striepe
Oof, I'm sorry to hear that! I'm fighting something, too, and of course I'm out of town with no elderberry shrub on hand!