Elderberry Syrup Gummies Recipe

Learn how to make your very own elderberry gummies! This easy recipe is made with homemade elderberry syrup, raw honey, and gelatin, and is added to cute gummy bear molds for a kid-friendly approach.

Even if you've never made your own syrup before, OR don't have any special gummy molds on hand - stay tuned! This recipe is beginner-friendly and can be made without special equipment.

One of my favorite things to keep on hand during cold and flu season (along with fire cider and honey onion cough syrup) is homemade elderberry syrup. It has traditionally been used to relieve cold and flu symptoms and offers immune support (source). It also happens to be a delicious way to get a boost of antioxidants!

Even with its yummy flavor, elderberry syrup can be difficult for kids to take if they haven't had a positive first experience. So I've started to make my own homemade elderberry gummies to have for the rare occasions when the original is refused.

These simple elderberry gummies are an easy way to serve up all of the goodness of elderberry syrup in a kid-friendly manner.

But best of all? They are made with simple ingredients like raw honey, gelatin and ginger - AND are super easy to make.

You Will Need:

• Elderberry syrup: This recipe is easy to make at home, and we love to keep it on hand during the Winter months and flu season. All you need to make it is dried elderberries (or fresh), honey, ground cloves, ginger, cinnamon, and raw honey. If you don't have a batch on hand - no worries, there are instructions included in the recipe card so you can make your own.
• Honey: This helps provide additional thickness and sweetness. I recommend using raw honey, but it's not required.
• Gelatin powder (or agar agar): This helps everything set up into that gummy-like texture. I use beef gelatin, but regular grocery store pork gelatin will work fine too. For a vegan option, you can use agar agar powder instead, and swap the honey for agave.

Equipment

• Gummy molds: There is a good variety of these available on Amazon, and you can find pretty much any shape or size you like! I used standard gummy bears because that's what I use to make tart cherry gummies.

How to Make Elderberry Gummies

Step one: Prepare the elderberry syrup and add 1 cup of it to a medium-sized saucepan. Bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.

Step two: Combine ¼ cup of the hot syrup and gelatin powder in a small bowl.

Step three: Whisk the gelatin and hot syrup together until smooth and well combined.

Step four: Add the gelatin mixture to the saucepan with the remaining elderberry syrup and whisk it in until completely smooth. Heat for roughly 1 minute.

Adding to Molds

Step five: Working quickly, use a dropper (or a well controlled spoon) to fill your silicone molds with the elderberry mixture.

Place each filled silicone mold on a rimmed baking sheet, and continue until all of the syrup has been distributed.

Without gummy molds: If you don't have any special molds, you can instead pour the mixture into a glass dish (lined with parchment or brushed with a little coconut oil) or a silicone baking pan.

Once set, slice into cubes.

The content provided on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be medical advice or to substitute medical care. Seek the advice of a healthcare professional.

Sources and Further Reading:

Here are some studies to reference as you do your own research:

• Physicochemical and Antioxidant Properties of Sambucus nigra (NIH)
• Black elderberry (Sambucus nigra) supplementation effectively treats upper respiratory symptoms (NIH)
• Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L.) extracts promote anti-inflammatory and cellular antioxidant activity (NIH)
• Elderberry for prevention and treatment of viral respiratory illnesses (NIH)

More Herbal Remedies

If you loved this elderberry gummies recipe, let me know by leaving a 5-star review in the recipe card or comment below! You can also tag me on Instagram @littlehomeinthemaking.

📖 Recipe

Elderberry Syrup Gummies

Learn how to make your very own elderberry gummies! This easy recipe is beginner-friendly and can be made without special equipment.

5 from 1 vote

Print Pin Rate

Servings: 170 gummies

Calories: 5kcal

Author: Dorothy Bigelow

Equipment

• Small saucepan
• Gummy molds

Ingredients

• ▢ 1 cup elderberry syrup *see notes
• ▢ 2 ½ tablespoons gelatin (beef gelatin or Knox)

US Customary - Metric

Instructions

• If you haven’t already, prepare the elderberry syrup and set 1 cup aside for the purposes of making these gummies.
• Line a sheet pan or platter with your gummy molds (*see notes for making without molds).
• Add the elderberry syrup to a medium-sized saucepan and bring to a simmer over medium-low heat.
  
• Add the beef gelatin to a small bowl, and ladle in ¼ cup of the hot syrup. Whisk well until the gelatin dissolves.
  
• Add the gelatin mixture into the saucepan and whisk until completely combined.
  
• Heat for about 1 minute, stirring often.
• Working quickly, remove from the heat and use a dropper to fill each gummy mold with the syrup mixture.
  
• Once the molds are filled and the elderberry syrup is used up, place the tray of molds into the fridge to chill for 1-2 hours.
• After 1-2 hours, check to see if the gummies have set up.
• Carefully remove each gummy and place it in a glass jar or airtight container.
  
• Store your gummies in a container or jar for up to 2 weeks in the fridge. Freeze for up to 6 months.

Notes

Gelatin: Be sure to use gelatin and not collagen hydrolysate. Beef gelatin or common Knox gelatin will work for this recipe.

With agar-agar (vegan): If you want to make this recipe without gelatin, you can use 1 teaspoon of agar agar. Bring the syrup to a boil, add the powder, and boil while whisking constantly for 1-2 minutes. Cool 4-5 minutes before pouring into molds. Use agave instead of honey if you want to make a vegan version. 

*Without gummy molds: Pour the liquid into a parchment-lined or silicone baking dish and allow to set for 2-3 hours. Slice into cubes, then store as directed.

Elderberry syrup: I have recipes for making both stovetop elderberry syrup and Instant Pot elderberry syrup, and that’s what I used for this recipe, although you can use any elderberry syrup you have on hand.

To make your own elderberry syrup:

1. Add 1 cup of dried elderberries, 2 cups of water, ½ teaspoon grated ginger, ⅛ teaspoon ground cloves, and 1 cinnamon stick to a small saucepan with a lid.
2. Bring to a simmer, then reduce to low heat and place the lid on so it covers about ¾ of the pot.
3. Simmer for 20-35 minutes, or until the liquid is reduced by half.
4. Strain off the solids and measure the elderberry juice.
5. Add an equal measure of raw honey to juice, and stir until dissolved.
6. You have now made elderberry syrup!

 

Elderberry variety: There are many varieties of elderberries, with black elderberries being the ones that are used for herbal remedies. The cultivar with the best medicinal properties is Sambucus nigra.

Nutrition

Calories: 5kcal | Carbohydrates: 1g | Protein: 0.1g | Fat: 0.03g | Saturated Fat: 0.002g | Sodium: 0.4mg | Potassium: 2mg | Fiber: 0.05g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 0.2mg | Calcium: 1mg | Iron: 0.02mg

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