Elderberry Oxymel

5-minute, no-cook recipe

Looking for elderberry syrup? Go here. 

An oxymel is a mixture of herbs soaked in a combination of honey and vinegar. This is a great alternative for adults or children who want to avoid alcohol and use less honey or sweetener than a traditional syrup. The added benefit of preparing an oxymel is it makes for a great method of delivery for those who find teas too much of a hassle - just pour the oxymel all over everything you eat! It's delicious, easy to assemble, and relatively inexpensive to make. I use this as a base for my salad dressings in the wintertime. My family loves it!

I love Oxymel's because they are so quick to make. The vinegar and honey act as solvents, extracting important vitamins, minerals and plant compounds. Both apple cider vinegar and honey are medicinal on their own. Apple cider vinegar is a naturally fermented product. The good bacteria found in the vinegar works its magic on the elderberries.

5-minute recipe

Ingredients:

1 cup of fresh or dried purple or black elderberries
1 cup of Honey (or more to taste)
1 cup of organic apple cider vinegar

Supplies
1 litre or 1 pint canning jar with a lid
measuring cup
spoon
label
wax paper to line the lid of the jar

Instructions:

Place one cup of elderberries into a wide-mouthed jar.

Warm (but don't cook) the vinegar and honey together until well combined.

Pour over the elderberries.

Mix, and taste.

Adjust the ratio to your personal preference. If it tastes too sour for your liking then add more honey by the half cup. If you want more vinegar, add some to taste. The key to this recipe is to make sure the berries are well submerged by the honey and vinegar.

Line the lid of the canning jar with wax paper, or use a plastic canning jar lid to fasten the jar.  Vinegar corrodes metal.

Shake vigorously. Label. Let it sit in a dark cupboard or tucked on the kitchen counter away from sunlight for a minimum of 10 days. Shake occasionally.

The oxymel is ready to use within 10 days however some herbalists like to let it macerate for a full month. When it is finished, strain, bottle, label, and enjoy.

Shelf-life
Oxymels do not need to be refrigerated, in which case they last one year. Storing it in the fridge extends the shelf-life to 2 years.

Dosage

Use your Elderberry oxymel daily by the Tablespoon for a wellness shot, in a base of salad dressings or added to water (it's great in soda water!)

For prevention and health maintenance adults take 2-4 TBSP daily and children take 2-4 tsp daily.  At the onset of illness, or during illness, adults can take 2TBSP every two hours for 4 doses and children over 4 years of age, take 2tsp every two hours for a max of 4 doses.  Always consider consulting with a qualified practitioner if you are unsure of safety or dosage.  Children under 2 years old are encouraged to avoid honey. If in doubt, reach out to a qualified health practitioner.

Safety

Use properly cleaned equipment and sanitize jars if storing for more than a few days.
If you have allergies to elderberries, consult a healthcare professional before consuming. Do not give to infants under 1 year. If you’re pregnant or nursing, consult a healthcare provider.

Elderberries should be cooked before consumption; raw elderberries (and other parts of the plant) can be mildly toxic.

Questions? Ask below! I'd love to hear how your recipe turns out!

With love,
Seraphina