Elderberry Tincture

So you made the syrup…now what? SAVE the “discard” from your syrup production and make an Elderberry Tincture.

Full of immune-boosting benefits, elderberry tincture is a powerful medicine to have on hand during cold and flu season. Make your own tincture at home using fresh or dried elderberries with minimal equipment.

MATERIALS

• Elderberry Syrup “discard”

• Vodka or other high-proof alcohol (or vegetable glycerin* if making an alcohol-free tincture)

TOOLS

• Pint mason jar (or other jar with tight lid)

• Funnel

• Cheesecloth

• Dark amber dropper bottles

• Adhesive label or tape and marker (to label the finished tincture)

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Fill a clean, empty mason jar 1/3 to 1/2 full with syrup discard.

2. Cover with alcohol.

3. Screw the lid on tightly and shake the contents of the jar. Place in a cool location away from light.

4. Let rest for 6-8 weeks. Give alcohol-based tinctures a gentle shake every couple of days; glycerite tinctures should be agitated every day. If liquid levels appear low at any point, add more to cover the elderberries.

5. Once the tincture is ready to be decanted, line a funnel with cheesecloth and place the tip of the funnel into the neck of a dark amber glass bottle. Pour the elderberry mixture into the cheesecloth-lined funnel, pressing to make sure all of the liquid makes into the bottle.

6. Label the tincture. Store in a cool, dry area away from light.