How to make a medicinal sugar free Elderberry Syrup

Sambucus Nigra. The plant that lovingly gives twice. There is nothing more exciting than seeing these magenta jewels in the hedgerow come late summer. It churns my belly with excitement. It’s such a precious time of year for me. Scroll down for a great sugar free recipe that you can freeze and use all year round:

Equipment:

2 large pans

1 wooden spoon

1 seive

1 pouring vessel (ideally glass to prevent staining)

Silicone ice cube moulds

Ingredients:

20 Heads of elderberries

Thumb-ful of ginger

1 whole turmeric (or 1tsb of powdered)

5 Cardamon pods

10 Cloves

1/2 cinnamon stick

Any extra spices of your choice (get creative)

Method:

• Pick and wash about 20 heads of elderberry

• Separate the fruit from the stalks (I do it by hand but you can use a fork)

• Decant the fruit into a pan, cover with cold water and bring to the boil.

• Let the fruit simmer for about 15 minutes

• Strain the fruit into another pan using a sieve

• Add the ginger, cardamon, cloves and cinnamon into the strained liquid.

• Bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes

• Take off the heat and let cool

• Once cool, place in silicone moulds to freeze