Homemade Elderberry Syrup

Ingredients:

• 3 1/2 cups water
• 2/3 cup dried elderberries (1 1/3 cups if fresh or frozen)
• 1/2 cup dried rose hips
• 2 TBSP fresh grated ginger or 1/2 tsp dried ginger
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground cloves
• 1 cup raw honey*

1. Pour water into a medium saucepan and add elderberries, rose hips, ginger, cinnamon and cloves.
2. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until liquid is reduced by almost half.
3. Remove from heat and let cool until cool enough to be handled.
4. Mash the berries carefully using a potato masher or spoon.
5. Pour through a strainer into a glass jar or bowl.
6. Discard elderberries and let liquid cool to lukewarm.
7. When no longer hot, add the honey and stir well.
8. Pour into mason jar in refrigerator or freeze into cubes for later use.

*For infants under 1 year old, use agave nectar in place of honey.