Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (+ Health Benefits)
on Jan 18, 2023, Updated Nov 21, 2023
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Elderberry Tea is a delicious and immune boosting tea that’s made with dried elderberries, cinnamon, ginger, and honey. This healthy tea can strengthen the immune system and fight off a cold or flu. Here is a simple and easy recipe that shows how you can make this natural remedy tea at home!
Health benefits of elderberry tea
Elderberry (also called Sambucus nigra) is the dark purple berry from the European elder tree. It’s packed with antioxidants and vitamins, and therefore is one of the most commonly used medicinal plants in the world. To add this immune boosting plant to my diet, I have made many elderberry recipes such as Elderberry Syrup, Elderberry Gummies (great for kids), and this warm and comforting elderberry tea.
Below are a few important health benefits of elderberries that are supported by studies:
- Boost immunity: This is the most important benefit of elderberries and elderberry tea. It helps to increase antioxidant levels in the body and helps fight flu. Elderberries also offer protection against viruses that might damage cell walls, and decrease mucus production during cold and flu.
- Enhance heart health: Elderberries are rich in potassium, which can help regulate blood pressure and reduce the strain on the heart.
- Improve digestive health: The fiber in elderberries helps to enhance digestion and treat digestive issues like constipation, gas, and bloating.
- Other benefits include strengthening bones, improving hair and skin health, and fight inflammation.
You can also add other immune supportive herbs such as ginger and cloves to your elderberry tea for an even better result.
How to make elderberry tea
This elderberry tea recipe uses dried black elderberries. They are available at local herb shops or online from Amazon. You can use organic ingredients to make organic elderberry tea.
Just add water, dried elderberries, cinnamon stick, and ginger slices in a pot, and bring the mixture to a boil. Then reduce the heat and cover the pot, simmering for 20 minutes.
Strain out the elderberries and ginger. Remember NOT to add raw honey with the other ingredients at the beginning, as the high temperature will destroy many great nutrients of the raw honey.
After straining, it’s important to press the elderberries to release more juices. You’ll be surprised to see how much more liquid you can get by doing so. Once your tea is not too hot, add raw honey and sweeten it to taste.
What does elderberry tea taste like?
Homemade elderberry tea is earthy, sweet, and tart with a lingering berry flavor.
Elderberry recipes for kids
My kids always like to add more honey or sugar to the tea. You can also add other flavors such as lemon or orange juice. If you make extra elderberry tea, you can let them cool down, and store in mason jars in the refrigerator. Serve them with ice for elderberry ice tea.
More Elderberries Recipes You’ll Love:
Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (+ Health Benefits)
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons dried elderberries
- 2 cups water
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 slices fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon raw honey
Instructions
- In a small saucepan, add water, dried elderberries, cinnamon stick and fresh ginger slices.
- Bring the water to a boil and reduce heat. Simmer for 20 minutes.
- Remove from heat and strain out elderberries, cinnamon stick, and ginger.
- Remove cinnamon stick and ginger. Then using the back of a spoon, press elderberries lightly to release as much juice as possible.
- Once the tea is not too hot, add honey. Stir to incorporate. Test and add more honey if needed. (It’s important to add raw honey when the tea is not too hot, as the high temperature will destroy some of its nutrients.)
- Pour into individual tea cups and enjoy!
Notes
- If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or have other health conditions, you need to consult your doctor first.
- Add raw honey only right before serving.
- Leftover tea can be cooled and stored in an airtight mason jar in the fridge for up to 5 days. Add ice to make it into elderberry ice tea.
Nutrition information provided is an estimate only and will vary based on ingredient brands and cooking methods used.
I don’t usually have fresh ginger, can I use dried ginger instead?
Hi Charlotte, you can use dried ginger for this recipe. Hope you like your Elderberry tea!
How much? You recommended 1/2 tap for cinnamon, would I use the same amount for ginger?
Hi Charlotte, the rule of thumb is to 1/4 teaspoon of ground ginger for every 1 tablespoon of fresh ginger. So for this recipe can use about 1/2 teaspoon of ground ginger. Hope this helps. Izzy
Thank you!!
Can I use ginger essential oil instead of ground or dried ginger ?
Hi Christy, you can substitute ginger essential oil in place of the spice. Use it very sparingly because it could overwhelm your tea if you use too much.
Interesting article!
Mention should be made of the dangers of raw berries. The only way to get cyanide poisoning from elderberries or elderflowers is not to boil them. Also, stems have more cyanide (we’re talking exponential amounts more) than berries or flowers, so naturally, you NEVER process branches. Remove those suckers from the stems before boiling!
I’m making elderberry syrup with elderberry and sugar. I boil it well and get a tremendous thick dark syrup that will keep in the fridge for a year or more. Additionally, I make elderberry jelly. No hint of cyanide