Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (3 ingredients!) (2024)

Elderberry Tea is a warm drink you can make at home in just minutes! It’s a faster than making elderberry syrup, when your immune system needs a little boost.

Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (3 ingredients!) (1)

Why You’ll Love It

Elderberries have been long used in folk medicine to potentially help with inflammation, headaches, and cold symptoms, but these immune-boosting berriesmust be cookedbefore they are consumed.

Boiling the elderberries to make an herbal tea is a great way to do that!

PotentialHealth Benefits of Elderberries

  • Black elderberries have been shown to reduce the symptoms and length of influenza when taken at the first sign of illness.
  • In one study of patients with influenza, taking elderberry syrup 4 times a day was shown to reduce influenza-like symptoms 4 days earlier than those who didn’t take it.
  • Elderberries are rich in antioxidants, including anthocyanins, which may have anti-inflammatory and anti-carinogenic properties.
  • The flavonoids found in elderberries may help to lower the risk of heart disease.
  • Black elderberries (also known as Sambucus nigra) may help with blood sugar control.

As an added bonus, this elderberry tea is a comforting cold-weather drink, and tastes amazing with a touch of honey and spices.

Safety Tip:When storing dried elderberries, be sure to keep them away from kids and pets.Dried elderberries may be toxic when eaten straight from the bag, and my kids think the dried berries look like mini chocolate chips– so keep them stored up high, safely out of reach.

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How To Make Elderberry Tea

1. Combine the ingredients.

In a small pot, combine the elderberries, water, and spices. I like to use a whole cinnamon stick and a few whole cloves, but you can also add in any other herbs or spices that you enjoy.

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2. Simmer.

Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat slightly. Simmer the elderberries for at least 15 minutes. The water will turn dark purple, and your kitchen will start to smell like elderberry juice!

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3. Strain.

Pour the hot liquid through a fine mesh strainer and into your mug. You can discard the elderberry pulp, or save it to boil a second batch later.

Add in any extras you love, such as raw honey or lemon juice, and then enjoy!

Simmer the elderberries in water for 15 minutes. The liquid should be dark purple, and your kitchen will start to smell like elderberry juice!

Pour the liquid through a strainer into your mug to serve, since you won’t want to consume the elderberry pulp.

Variations

The best thing about making elderberry tea at home is that you get to control the flavor. Here are some other add-ins you might want to consider.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Where Can You Find Elderberries?

Some health food stores sell dried elderberries, otherwise you can buy them online. Brand availability will vary, but I feel comfortable buying most brands that are certified organic.

What does elderberry tea taste like?

Elderberry tea tastes slightly tart and spicy (depending on which spices you add), with a fragrant smell of berries. Add your favorite sweetener to make it taste more palatable.

Can You Boil Elderberries Twice?

Yes! You can get more “bang for your buck” by reserving the boiled elderberries from your first cup of tea. Just add more water and boil again, for a second,slightly less-strong cup of elderberry tea. If you’re going to boil a second batch, I recommend you do it on the same day, so you don’t have to save the soggy elderberries in the fridge for later.

Can I use raw elderberries?

Dried elderberries will be more concentrated in flavor, so when using fresh elderberries you’ll need to use more. Also, keep in mind that elderberries must always be cooked before you consume them. The berries, leaves, stems, and seeds all contain a toxic substance that is removed by cooking, so don’t be tempted to skip that important step.

What are the side effects of elderberries?

Consuming uncooked elderberries, stems, seeds, or leaves may result in vomiting, nausea, or diarrhea.

Looking for more warm drink ideas? Try Ginger Tea, Cinnamon Tea, homemade chai latte, or healthy hot chocolate.

Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (3 ingredients!) (6)

Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (3 ingredients!) (7)

Elderberry Tea (3 ingredients!)

5 from 3 votes

Here's how to make Elderberry Tea at home, using just 3 simple ingredients! Elderberries may help to boost immunity and shorten cold & flu symptoms, so this tea is an easy alternative to elderberry syrup.

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Prep Time: 5 minutes mins

Cook Time: 15 minutes mins

Total Time: 20 minutes mins

Servings: 1

Ingredients

  • 2 cups water
  • 2 tablespoons dried elderberries
  • 1 cinnamon stick (or 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon)

Instructions

  • Combine the water, elderberries and cinnamon stick in a small saucepan. Bring the mixture to a boil, then lower the heat and let it gently simmer for 15 minutes.

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  • Pour the tea through a fine mesh strainer to remove the elderberries and cinnamon stick.

    Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (3 ingredients!) (9)

  • Serve warm with any add-ins you like. I sometimes like to add a squeeze of lemon or orange juice, along with a drizzle of honey. Leftover tea can be stored in the fridge and enjoyed warm or cold, if you want to make a larger batch.

    Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (3 ingredients!) (10)

Video

Notes

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, and does not take into account that the elderberries and cinnamon stick are strained out of the final tea. This is just an estimate, and not a guarantee.

Safety Tip: Do not consume uncooked elderberries, or their stems, leaves or seeds. They contain a toxic substance that is removed with cooking.

Nutrition

Calories: 30kcal, Carbohydrates: 8g, Protein: 1g, Fat: 1g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 26mg, Potassium: 83mg, Fiber: 4g, Sugar: 1g, Vitamin A: 177IU, Vitamin C: 11mg, Calcium: 61mg, Iron: 1mg

Author: Megan Gilmore

Course: Drinks

Cuisine: vegan

Keyword: elderberry tea

If you try this easy elderberry tea recipe, please leave a comment and star rating below letting me know how you like it.

Easy Elderberry Tea Recipe (3 ingredients!) (2024)

FAQs

What not to mix with elderberry? ›

Because elderberry may stimulate the immune system, it could interfere with medications taken to suppress the immune system. These medications include corticosteroids (prednisone) and medications used to treat autoimmune diseases. People with organ transplants should also avoid elderberry.

Is it safe to make tea from dried elderberries? ›

As a result, in spite of the toxicity of raw, unripe elderberries, properly prepared elderberry tea is not thought to have any significant health risks.

Is it OK to drink elderberry tea everyday? ›

Given its potential to strengthen your body's immune system and promote overall wellness, it should be. * Elderberry tea is a satisfyingly tart and tangy drink you can enjoy daily, hot or cold. Elderberries aren't one of the berries you'll find year-round in your grocery store. But they aren't uncommon.

Does boiling elderberries remove toxins? ›

To neutralize toxins, specifically cyanide-inducing glycosides, heat treatment is a must. Boiling elderberries for at least 30 minutes is the go-to method. This ensures the destruction of harmful compounds. Steaming or baking can also do the trick, as long as the berries reach a high enough temperature.

Who should not drink elderberry tea? ›

"Autoimmune diseases" such as multiple sclerosis (MS), lupus (systemic lupus erythematosus, SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), or other conditions: Elderberry might cause the immune system to become more active. This could increase the symptoms of autoimmune diseases.

Is elderberry safe for kidneys? ›

Cardiovascular disease risk biomarkers and liver and kidney function are not altered in postmenopausal women after ingesting an elderberry extract rich in anthocyanins for 12 weeks.

Can elderberry raise blood pressure? ›

Elderberry can lower blood pressure.

The antioxidants, such as polyphenols found in elderberry, lower blood pressure by reducing oxidative stress. Elderberry also lowers uric acid in the bloodstream. Both oxidative stress and uric acid have been found to be a main cause of high blood pressure.

Does boiling elderberries destroy vitamin C? ›

Elderberries contain vitamin C, but much of it is destroyed by heat. Adding lemon juice provides an additional vitamin C boost to the syrup.

Is elderberry tea a laxative? ›

While elderberry syrup is praised for its potential to help you get back on track after the flu, research suggests elderberry tea may offer a different set of perks. Notably, elderberry tea may help reduce chronic constipation.

Does elderberry help with hair growth? ›

The antioxidants in the berry can fight the herpes virus and give relief. In addition, the berries/flowers also work great for your hair. They encourage hair growth and impart nutrients to your hair, and help you have a shining head of hair.

Is elderberry tea good for high blood pressure? ›

One Elderberry Tea benefits is it contains flavonoids which are known to be beneficial in lowering blood pressure by relaxing the walls of the arteries and reducing stiffness in vessels. Elderberry tea also contains Vitamins B6 and C which have both been linked with helping reduce hypertension symptoms.

Does elderberry tea detox your body? ›

The humble elderberry is considered to be quite the superfood. It was first used by early indigenous people of the Americas to brew up heady concoctions to boost the immune system, detox and cleanse the body, reduce inflammation, and to treat fevers, cold, and flu too.

How long to cook elderberries to remove cyanide? ›

Pick though the dried berries to remove any sticks or unripe berries before you cook them. Then follow the recipe instructions. The berries have to be cooked for at least 45 minutes (without a cover) to ensure the deactivation of the toxin that can result in adverse gastrointestinal symptoms.

How long do elderberries need to be boiled? ›

Simmer. Bring the liquid to a boil over high heat, then lower the heat slightly. Simmer the elderberries for at least 15 minutes. The water will turn dark purple, and your kitchen will start to smell like elderberry juice!

How do you get cyanide out of elderberries? ›

Elderberry toxicity

Heating black elderberries while processing them into final food products such as juice, jelly, liqueur, or tea, has been shown to reduce the levels of sambunigrin by 44% to 96%, depending on the amount of heating.

Does elderberry interact with anything? ›

Elderberry has no known severe, serious, or moderate interactions with other drugs. Elderberry has mild interactions with at least 28 different drugs.

Can you mix elderberry with anything? ›

If desired, you may mix elderberry liquid with water, fruit juice, yogurt, or a smoothie. Call your doctor if the condition you are treating with elderberry does not improve, or if you have a fever for more than 3 days or cold symptoms for more than 7 days.

Does elderberry interact with any supplements? ›

Interactions. If you take any drugs or supplements regularly, talk to your doctor before you start using elderberry supplements. They could interact with chemotherapy for cancer, immunosuppressant drugs, diuretics, and laxatives.

Can you take elderberry with vitamins? ›

Although elderberry has a history of being used for a wide variety of health reasons, when the goal is to supplement your diet to help support your immune system with Vitamin C and Zinc, the combination of elderberry with Vitamin C and Zinc provides the antioxidant and immune system support that is more helpful than ...

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