If you’re wondering how to thicken elderberry syrup, you’ve come to the right place.
It’s no secret – our family loves elderberry syrup. And this love affair goes even deeper now that we’ve perfected this thick elderberry syrup recipe that’s easy to pour. It’s the same nutritional profile and cold-fighting power in a thicker formula!
Our Family’s Elderberry Syrup Routine
This year, our family is trying a new experiment. We are taking elderberry syrup every single day to see if it makes any difference in our number of sick days.
Last year, we only took the syrup when we were feeling bad. By then, it was too late and viruses had already taken hold.
So far, we’re doing pretty well. Every day after school, I call the kids into the kitchen to take a spoonful of my homemade elderberry syrup.
The only problem is, I have to keep a towel handy. Because every single day, without fail, I get elderberry drips on my white linoleum floor.
Why, you ask?
Because the term “elderberry syrup” is a bit misleading. Sure, it’s full of healthy cold and flu fighting compounds and tastes great.
But, it’s not exactly syrup. At least, not the homemade recipes I’ve tried. More like elderberry juice.
Which is perfectly fine, if you don’t mind the inevitable spillage as you pour the elderberry concoction onto your spoon and try to transport said spoon into your child’s mouth.
Unless you have Jedi balancing skills, your floor is getting messy.
Until now!
How to Make Elderberry Syrup That’s the Consistency of Store-bought
It took some trial and error, but after experimenting in the kitchen {a lot} I’ve come up with the perfect thick elderberry syrup recipe. It was quite an interesting journey! I tried a couple of different thickening methods to created a thicker elderberry syrup.
Chia Seed Thickened Elderberry Syrup
First, I used ground up chia seeds to thicken my syrup.
While the chia did the job of thickening, they also made the texture more grainy than smooth and changed the flavor profile. My boys didn’t like it, but my husband did. Also, I don’t think the chia version would last very long in the fridge.
The verdict? Chia works okay, but it’s not quite like storebought. So it’s honestly up to you to decide if you’d like to try it. (BTW, here are 15 interesting ways to use chia seeds you may not have thought of!).
If you do, use half the amount of ground chia to substitute for arrowroot powder.
Arrowroot Powder Thickened Elderberry Syrup
Next, I tried arrowroot powder (you can read all about its health benefits in the next section). Using the arrowroot created a thicker syrup, didn’t alter the flavor profile, and kept the syrup smooth, not grainy. Win!
The first time I made this recipe, I was able to whisk the arrowroot into the elderberry liquid and end up with a smooth result, no problem. But alas, even the arrowroot powder method had to undergo some troubleshooting.
Later, a friend tried this method and said hers turned out lumpy. I also got a couple of reader comments saying their syrup was lumpy. Sad.
I was determined to fix this problem!
What may have been happening was that the elderberry liquid was the wrong temperature in some cases, making it difficult to whisk in the powder. So to remedy this, I decided to try making an arrowroot powder + water slurry to add to the elderberry liquid.
And you know what? It was a success!
A slurry is created by mixing a dry, power-like substance with water to dissolve before adding it to recipes as a thickener. For this recipe, I add arrowroot powder and water to a jar and shake vigorously (this removes ALL lumps) before adding it to the elderberry liquid.
This method works perfectly!
A few people have asked if other thickeners can be used, such as organic cornstarch. I haven’t tried it, but don’t see any reason why it won’t work. If you try something different, please leave a comment and let me know your experience.
Read Next: 20+ Best Natural Remedies for Cold & Flu Season
Thick Elderberry Syrup Recipe Ingredients
- Dried Elderberries – Immune system stimulators with vitamins A, B, and C. You can source them on Amazon, Vitacost, and other websites as well as certain health food stores. Hurry and grab some – stores usually sell out in the wintertime and hike up their prices!
- Filtered Water – This doesn’t make or break the recipe, but we love using our Berkey filter because it filters out 99% of all contaminants better than generic filters at only 2 cents per gallon.
- Local or Manuka Honey – Honey sweetens this syrup and contains enzymes, antioxidants, and antibacterial properties to help your body fight illness. I like using a mix of raw local (Alabama) honey and manuka (New Zealand) honey. Raw honey is best because it retains more beneficial properties than heated honey.
- Arrowroot Powder – this serves as a thickener for this recipe. Entirely gluten free, arrowroot is a starchy tuber from Central America. Apparently, arrowroot powder is also an immune system booster, making this cold and flu fighter even more potent! It also contains B vitamins, iron, and potassium according to Downshiftology. You can find it here.
More Elderberry Recipes to Try:
- Easy Elderberry Gummies
- Instant Pot Elderberry Syrup
- Apple Cinnamon Elderberry Syrup
- How to Make Elderberry Tea
Thick Elderberry Syrup Notes & Tips:
- For in-depth information on the benefits of elderberry syrup and the price of homemade vs. store bought, read this post.
- Dosage: For prevention, 1 teaspoon 1-2 times daily. For illness, 1-3 teaspoons up to 4 times daily. Use the smaller dose for children and a bigger dose for adults.
- Although the arrowroot powder creates a smooth thick syrup, it does settle after sitting in the fridge since it doesn’t include any artificial ingredients as a binder. Simply give your syrup a good shake before using.
- If you want to add a little something ‘extra’ to your syrup, try adding a cinnamon stick, fresh ginger, and a couple of cloves to your berries while they simmer.
- I like to store the finished syrup in the 4 ounce small mason jars. They freeze really well and are great to give as gifts or even sell during cold/flu season!
- You can even use this as an elderberry pancake syrup recipe! Such a delicious, unique flavor to top pancakes with. This syrup is only meant to be taken 1 TBSP daily for adults though, so mix it with pure maple syrup if using for pancakes.
Thick Elderberry Syrup Recipe {easy pour}
A thick elderberry syrup recipe for easy pouring, with all the same immune boosting properties you need! Thickened naturally with arrowroot powder means no more spills.
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried elderberries
- 4 cups filtered water, divided
- 1 cup raw honey
- ¼ cup arrowroot powder
Instructions
- Combine elderberries and 3 cups of the water in a large pot (save the extra cup of water for later). Bring to a boil and stir; reduce heat and allow to simmer, uncovered, for 30 minutes.
- Allow mixture to cool. Strain through a mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl, making sure to mash or squeeze all the elderberry juice out.
- Return elderberry liquid to a pot on the stove. Heat on medium heat until simmering. In a separate jar, add the additional one cup of water and 1/4 cup arrowroot powder. Shake vigorously until arrowroot is dissolved to make a "slurry."
- Add arrowroot slurry to simmering elderberry liquid. Heat for several minutes and whisk until mixture begins to thicken. You can adjust the amount of arrowroot to your desired thickness, or add a bit more water if it's too thick.
- Once elderberry liquid is cool, add honey and mix well. Transfer to small jars for storage.
- Syrup keeps in the freezer for 6 months and the fridge for 3 weeks.
- Dosage: For prevention, 1 teaspoon 1-2 times daily. For illness, 1-3 teaspoons up to 4 times daily. Use the smaller dose for children and a bigger dose for adults.
Notes
Shake syrup well before using, as natural ingredients will settle.
Recommended Products
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
48Serving Size:
4 cupsAmount Per Serving: Calories: 22Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 1mgCarbohydrates: 6gFiber: 0gSugar: 6gProtein: 0g
If you enjoy this recipe, would you mind leaving a recipe rating in the comments section? I’d really appreciate it!
You may also like: Basic Simple Elderberry Syrup (Original Recipe)
Not keen on making your own? I recommend Gaia Herbs Black Elderberry Syrup for superior quality.
Have you ever tried elderberry syrup? What did you think?
With Joy,
PIN IT!
Hi there,
Thank you for your recipe! Do you think that one could also use tapioca starch as a thickener with the same success?
Best, Cara
Hi there,
Thank you for your recipe! Do you think that one could also use tapioca starch as a thickener with the same success?
Hi Cara! I’ve never used tapioca starch before, so I’m not sure if it would work. If you try it, please do tell me how it goes! I’d love to add your experience to the post! In the future I may also try an organic cornstarch to give people options.
Hi,
Just looking at the recipe & comparing it to the pictures, 3/4c of arrowroot sounds like a lot & the picture doesn’t show that much. Did you mean 3/4 Tbsp or tsp?
No, it’s 3/4 cup. This is needed if you want a truly thick syrup like what you’d get in a store. You could start out with 1/2 cup and see how that does if you feel it’s too much. Hope it works for you TJ!
I used what it said and I had to add a little more water to it
thanks..
I had to chuckle when you said, remember this is only 1 T per adult, so mix with maple syrup.
My mom was making elderberry Jam & elderberry syrup in the 50’s.
You can’t overload on it . LOL
even tho we consider it a ‘medicine’ today , it is just a local , ditch bush /fruit locals have used for generations.
This thickened up perfectly like home made pudding. Thanks for the tip.
Is there anything that can be used to make this syrup last longer in the refrigerator?
Not that I know of. But, you can freeze the syrup until needed and it thaws fairly quickly.
I have been making elderberry syrup, using dried berries, for 5 years. My recipe is just a little different. I use some cinnamon and clove powder. I typically make a double batch as I share with family and friends. We like it thin. Take a tbsp. Every day. I use about 1/4 cup of arrow root per batch. I also add 1 cup of raw local honey per batch. I always have kept it in the refrigerator for about 3 months!! Have never had it go bad. Thinking, maybe because it has less flour and more honey and clove Not sure. I swear that the elderberry syrup really works well against colds and flu. Stay well!
It is a wonderful thing! Thank you for sharing.
I really need to make some elderberry syrup. A friend of mine in another state makes it and all her neighbors swear by it!
Definitely, Natasha! It is SO easy.
Hi, Do you know I I can substitute corn starch for the thickener? I’m trying to avoid a trip to the market, lol, lol.
Hi Sharisse, I really think it will work great! I haven’t tried it personally, but arrowroot and cornstarch are often interchangeable in recipes. Let me know if you try it and add your experience in the comments!
I tried with 1/4 cup arrowroot and it turned out perfect! Thank you!
I tried this with corn starch last night. I made a slurry. I started with about 1/4 cup and then added a couple tablespoons more. It thickened very nicely, but it did change the flavor some. There is sort of a bitter aftertaste that isn’t great. That being said, my kids still loved it and did not seem to notice it!
Thanks for the feedback with the cornstarch! Good to know that it works.
Hi, just made this recipe. My only question is the amount of arrowroot powder …I think 3/4 cup is to much I put 1/2 cup and it was almost solid and I had to add a little more water to thin it down. That being said the syrup taste amazing thank you for the recipe.
Thank you for the tip, Katrina! I will double check the recipe.
I’ve been searching for a “thicker” consistency and was excited to see your recipe! I just tried the recipe and I had issues with the arrowroot powder clumping. It never fully disolvrd so I ended up straining it. The consistency wasn’t as thick as I had hoped for. Is a better way to add the powder?
Hi Julia! Hmmm, I’m not sure what went wrong. It works great for us! Was your arrowroot powder fresh? Did you simmer the liquid and whisk continuously while adding the arrowroot? Also, did you whisk over the heat for several minutes while the syrup was thickening? That should have gotten rid of all the clumps. Sorry it didn’t work for you! If you try again with success, I’d really appreciate you updating the recipe rating <3 God bless!
Julia, after reading your experience I made the syrup again. The same thing happened to me with the mixture being lumpy! I don’t know why this didn’t happen to me the first time; perhaps I added it more slowly? Anyway, I’ve changed the recipe to make an arrowroot “slurry” with water, which is then added to the elderberry liquid. It should help ensure the syrup stays smooth. Thank you so much for your feedback and helping me improve this recipe!
I made rhis tonight and had the same issue when I used the arrowroot. I bought Bob’s Red Mill Arrowroot powder and when I added it, the mixture became like a thick jelly. When I added the honey (and maple syrup…1/2 cup each for my recipe), it was clumpy so I tried heating it and then remembered I shouldn’t heat the honey so I just strained it before it boiled. I think I will try starting with 1/4 c powder next time and adding more if needed.
Did you try making a slurry with the arrowroot before adding it to the mixture? That really helped me. I hope it works next time. Let me know how t works with the 1/4 cup.
I followed recipe with exception of adding some ginger & Vitamin C powder. It came out like Elderberry pudding, lol. I had put some of the thin syrup aside to cool, I make sure is fully cool so that the honey doesn’t lose enzymes in it with the heat. That made it a little less thick but I realized is like corn starch. The longer you heat and stir the thicker it gets. I could always let come to room temp and make into gummies but it’s fine. Now I know.
I have an Autistic child who won’t touch in any form.
Would love to know if anything strong enough to cover the taste. She’s very sensitive to texture so even gummies get rejected.
Would like to know if oil would extract more from the berries. I have picked and dehydrated in past and it’s a lot of work, want to pull out as much as I can. Was thinking coconut oil and made into gummies if anyone has tried
I know extracting with alcohol and using raw isn’t safe.
I tried using raw lactofermented whey and made into gummies, tasted horrible.
I know that different bases can change how our body absorbs it. Fat, gelatin, alcohol, ect.
Also, any other additions or variations to add nutrients?
I appreciate any feedback.
Thank you all and God bless
Thanks for your comments Kim. Maybe the vitC powder made it thicker? You can always add more hot water to thin if it’s too thick. I don’t think I would mess with trying to extract more from the berries- this process does a good job. But I have and elderberry tea recipe on the blog that uses the leftover berries so you don’t waste any. That might help! Good luck!
Can we can the syrup instead of freeze???
I’m pretty sure you could! I still haven’t learned how to can, so if you try it is love to hear your results!
You wait until the elderberries are cooked & strained to add the raw honey. If you were to pressure or water bath can the syrup, it would defeat the benefit of the raw honey. Just sayin’.
What would you do if you had powdered elderberry instead of the berries?
Hmmm, I’ve never used powdered elderberry before so I’m not sure how to advise you. Maybe just sub it for the dried elderberries and see what happens? Is there a conversion chart on the label that says how much powdered can sub for dried?
Do you think this could be made in an instantpot?
I haven’t tried it yet, but that’s a great idea! You could definitely do the initial boiling in the IP, and then maybe pressure release and use sauté setting to add the arrowroot mixture? I’ll have to try it sometime!
How many cups did this recipe make
I think it’s around 5 cups, but I didn’t measure it exactly. Hope you enjoy Sharon!
Have you/anyone tried slippery elm as a thickener?
No, I haven’t! If you decide to try it, please report back here and tell us how it works. Best wishes.
Made this today. I loved that you came up with a way to thicken it! However, I made my slurry with 3/4 c. Arrowroot and 1c. Water and when I started adding it to the elderberry liquid I got about half of it in and could tell it was already thickening too much! Like much too much. I didn’t add anymore and actually had to add prolly 6oz of water and it was still pretty thick. I had hopes that when it cooled and I added the honey, Mayb the honey would loosed it back up a bit…. it did but I don’t know if it will stay that look in the fridge or if it will thicken back up. Either way. Great recipe and I thank you! Next time I’ll just do less arrowroot for sure! Prolly 1/4 c. Thanks again! God Bless.
Thanks so much for your feedback! The method worked for me but I’ve gotten this feedback before, and I’m wondering if maybe it has to do with a factor I’m not realizing? Gonna test this again soon and try to perfect the ratios. Really appreciate your comments! Thanks for reading!
Hi Mary,
I made your recipe and it calls for 3/4 cup of arrow root powder and when I made it it turned into a very very thick jello. I looked at other recipes and it called for 1/4 cup of arrow root. So I’m assuming it’s just a typo. When I went to rinse the mixture out water was bouncing off the elderberry syrup mixture lol. Just thought I would let you know ?
Thanks for letting me know Abby. I’ve actually made it with 3/4 cup and it worked for me, but I wanted it really thick (like storebought). Might also have to do with the way it’s heated. Since I’ve gotten this feedback before, I’m gonna do some more testing and change the recipe. Thanks so much for responding!
So glad I found your site, having been picking and making elderberry syrup for years and as you say it is always more like cordial! I too love the healthy berries (rose hips also) that God provides for us, and as pensioners I do feel it’s benefits are well worth all the trouble ?. From now on I shall make some natural real syrup, thanks a lot.
Susan xx
Thanks for the lovely comments Susan. I see that you live in the UK – we used to live there and I sure miss it! Enjoy your syrup and have a blessed day.
Hi Mary!
Looking forward to making this today and wondering what adjustments should be made when using fresh frozen berries?
I’ve never used fresh or frozen, but I’m thinking you could use about the same amount of berries. Let me know how it turns out!
I added cinnamon, lemongrass, and close food grade essential oil….so tasty. Next time I may make it with a portion of the honey being one infused with cayenne pepper and lemon.
Wow, I love the creativity Paulette! Yum.
Hi! I was wondering, if I am making elderberry gummies, should I thicken it with arrowroot powder or keep it more liquidy since I’ll be adding gelatin?
I recommend omitting the arrowroot and using plain syrup to make gummies. I have a gummy recipe on the blog, linked in the post above. Enjoy!
Why not just use more honey and less water? That’s how I get mine thicker. It’s merely slightly diluted honey.
You could definitely do that, some people just don’t want their syrup overly sweet and it’s also a bit more pricey to use lots of honey. It is a great natural preservative for the elderberry though.
I made a. Batch of Elderberry syrup in my instant pot. After 8 min, I let it simmer a few minuites and strained and pressed liquid out real good. My syrup this time is much thicker when refrigerated anyone know why? Thanks!
I’m not sure Lynn – maybe more of the liquid evaporated than usual? Thanks for reading.
How long will this recipe last in the refrigerator after it’s made?
Usually around 4 weeks – but it can be frozen for up to 6 months.
Thank you! One more question for you! How well does it preserve in a sealed can?
I think it would work well! I haven’t tried it yet, so if you do, let me know how it goes 🙂
Will do! : )
I use an oral syringe. No mess at all. Keep mine in a wide mouth jar in fridge.
That’s a fantastic idea Toni!!
do you think Astragalus root would work as a thickener? I have that on hand, so I wondered if it would.
I haven’t tried that, so I’m not sure. Good luck!
Hi, so I made this recipe only leaving out the 1 cup honey and substituted 1/4 pure maple sryup. My turned into a jelly consistancy. Is there a way to fix this? It’s still “usuable” if I use a medical syringe but I’d like to make it not as thick. Not sure what I did wrong?
Can you leave the arrowroot powder out all together? Thanks!
The cup of honey definitely thins it out, so maybe that’s why. You can definitely leave the arrowroot out if you prefer, but it won’t be thick. Hope this helps.
We purchased Elderberry Syrup at a Farmers Market. It came in a pint jar. I dip a clean tablespoon in the syrup and put into a medicine cup. I wasn’t about to try to pour it and it hard to drink it out of the tablespoon! Lol
I’ve made this several times and before I add the honey (and I use only about 1/2 Cup) it’s nice a thick but once it’s chilled, it loses it’s syrupiness. Like I might as well not have even used the arrowroot starch to thicken in the first place. Advice?
Hmmm that’s interesting… I’ve had noticed it’s a bit less thick after refrigeration but nothing too major. I always shake it thoroughly since the arrowroot tends to settle.
yup I do that too. I wonder if arrowroot starch is less stable than others?
Thank you for the recipe. I added some ginger and cinnamon sticks. I also used 1/4 cup of the arrowroot powder slurry and it thickened up nicely. When it cooled I added the honey and it thinned out and wasn’t thick at all even after refrigeration. How did you get your’s thick after adding the honey?
Be sure to shake thoroughly before using each time. Also, you may have to adjust the amount of arrowroot to your liking. I got some complaints about it being too thick so I reduced the amount in the recipe.
Can you add the arrowroot slurry after the mixture is cooled?
I haven’t tried it, but you might be able to. Good luck!
I just made my batch today and it filled the house with a beautiful winter time smell. Final product taste amazing but for me I’d use maybe 1/2 C honey a full cup was too sweet for my taste
Glad you enjoyed, yes you can definitely adjust the amount of honey to your taste
Using raw honey adds important bacteria fighting agents, so I wouldn’t recommend reducing the amount unless you only have access to pasteurized, filtered honey.
Can someone help with measurements, I’m trying to get 16oz of syrup out of 1 batch.
The ingredients I have:
-1 lb of dried elderberries
-1 lb of dried cloves
-6 cinnamon sticks
-32oz of raw honey
You have more than enough ingredients to make 16 Oz of syrup. Simply follow the recipe above, all you need is one cup of elderberries.
I’ve been making elderberry “juice” for a couple of years now but I wanted it to be a more of a syrup consistency. Your recipe worked perfect to make it syrup-y….until I added the honey, and now it’s back to the same juice-like consistency it was before I added the aarowroot. Any suggestions ?
Hmmm, that’s strange! It does need to be stirred/shaken before each use to redistribute the arrowroot.
I followed directions to a T & the syrup came out perfectly thick! Until, I put it in the fridge and the next morning, the honey settled to the bottom. I shook jar for a long time & but its now back to juice :/
Hello. I’ve just extracted juice from 10 lbs of Elderberries. I’m making a batch of jelly but would like to try an make batch of syrup. It is very concentrate so should I add more water and if so, what ratio.
This is my favorite recipe! So good and so easy to make!
I used an amber bottle (12 oz) to store your elderberry. It tastes awesome just a little bit thicker. Thank you for the tip! Also, do you know if I can freeze the amber bottle?
You should be able to! Glad you enjoyed it!
Excellent info thank you. I have used organic Clear Jel in the instant form. It’s been cleared for use in canning as well. Although if you can it you lose the health benefits of the honey, but its a great syrup.
Hi thanks for the recipe! a friend I gave this to said that when she opened the bottle it made a loud hissing sound and and was afraid there was bacteria fermenting. Has this ever happened to you?
I have canned, and it makes it REALLY thick. Would definitely alter the Pre-canning thickness to only a quarter cup of thickening agent. Probably kills the effectiveness of the honey but it is a way to store large amounts of fresh “free” ditch fruit.
This is our family favorite elderberry syrup recipe! I love that it’s thickened because it makes it much easier to “drink” without spilling.
I always add 2 coarsely chopped apples to the simmering elderberries for a little extra boost of vitamins. Try it next time and see how you like it!
Thanks for sharing Kristine!
Can the Arrow Root be substituted with Xanthan Gum?
if yes do you think the Xanthan Gum will alter the taste of the syrup?
I’ve never tried xanthan gum! Let me know if you try it.
CAN I STILL THICKEN MY SYRUP AFTER IVE ALREADY MADE IT? I MADE SOME YESTERDAY BUT DIDNT KNOW IT WAS GOING TO BE LIKE WATER LOL. PLEASE HELP.
I don’t think you can, but try this recipe next time!
THANK YOU
Can you can the elderberry syrup? Or does the honey lose its health advantages?