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 a 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.
4 Ingredients You’ll Need
- Dried elderberries: these are sold in packages at specialty grocers and health food stores.
- Cinnamon stick: these are whole sticks of cinnamon available in the spice aisle. Don’t use powdered cinnamon.
- Fresh ginger: this is fresh ginger root, washed and peeled.
- Honey: Raw, unpasteurized honey is the most natural option for this recipe, but you can use refined honey if you prefer.
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.
Step 1: 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.
Step 2: 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.
Step 3: 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.
Where to Buy Elderberry?
You can buy dried elderberries at most health food stores as well as some supermarkets like Whole Foods. Occasionally, specialty grocers will carry fresh elderberries.
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.
FAQ
Can I Use Raw Elderberries?
You can use raw elderberries to make tea; however, uncooked elderberries contain a toxic substance that can make you sick. Therefore, always cook raw elderberries before consuming.
What are Some Side Effects of Elderberries?
Consuming too much elderberry can lead to an upset stomach, the same as with many fruits, and raw elderberries should never be consumed uncooked. Fortunately elderberry has no known interactions with other medicines.
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Can I Boil Elderberries Twice?
Yes, you can boil elderberries twice. Just note that it will be less flavorful and less potent the second time around.
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.
Beth says
What a tasty and beneficial drink! So helpful during this cold and flu season!
Brandi says
Everyone around us is getting sick this year. I’m looking for something that will keep me ahead of it! This was perfect.
Tina says
So wild to read a post from January of this year “everyone around us us getting sick..”
Mariruth Kim says
I don’t have cinnamon sticks. How much ground cinnamon should I use instead?
izzycooking says
Hi Mariruth, you can use about 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon instead. Izzy
Kandle says
Can I eat the berries after I made the tea?
Kandle says
Can I eat the berries after I boiled?
izzycooking says
Yes, they’re edible, but they don’t taste good on their own. You’ll need to add them to some recipes such as muffins or pancakes for a berry flavor.
Vangie says
So glad I found this recipe! Thank you
izzycooking says
Hi Vangie, great to hear you like this recipe. Thanks for letting me know!
Lise Tillman says
How long will the refrigerated tea be good to drink, before it needs to be disposed of?
izzycooking says
Hi Lise, this elderberry tea is best within one day, but good for 3 or 4 days if you store it in the refrigerator. Hope it helps.
Elina says
I had read the craze over elderberry and had to try it and I love I found this recipe as I am a complete herbal tea person. It is soothing with an incredible taste. Thank you! Can a few drops of peppermint, lemon, or sweet orange oil be added? Or any recommendation?
izzycooking says
Hi Elina, thanks for letting me know. You can definitely add peppermint, lemon or orange oil. Other choices I like include orange peel (my favorite), thyme, and mint. You can also mix it with chamomile tea.
CARINA A MEDEIROS says
Such a yummy tea! Thsnk you for this recipe!
izzycooking says
Hi Carnia, Glad you like this recipe. Thanks for letting me know!
CARINA A MEDEIROS says
Typo*
Such a yummy tea! Thank you for this recipe!
Charlotte says
I don’t usually have fresh ginger, can I use dried ginger instead?
izzycooking says
Hi Charlotte, you can use dried ginger for this recipe. Hope you like your Elderberry tea!
Charlotte says
How much? You recommended 1/2 tap for cinnamon, would I use the same amount for ginger?
izzycooking says
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
Charlotte says
Thank you!!
Christy says
Can I use ginger essential oil instead of ground or dried ginger ?
izzycooking says
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.