How to Make a Refreshing Elderberry Shrub

Making a shrub is a beautiful way to celebrate the harvest, whether it’s a few fresh berries from your garden or our Ozarks-grown American elderberries. It’s simple, natural, and full of the flavor and goodness you can trust.

This is a great way to utilize elderberries in a no-heat method, no juicing equipment necessary!

What is Elderberry Shrub?

Elderberry shrubs, a centuries-old treat, blend berries, vinegar, and sweetener into a tangy, sweet syrup. Named after an old preservation method, vinegar both preserves and adds zing, balancing honey's sweetness.

This nutrient-rich elixir brightens drinks, dishes, and desserts, letting you savor elderberries’ flavor and benefits anytime.

How to Make Elderberry Shrub

Watch the videos below for step by step instruction from Morgan in her own kitchen as she makes her favorite elderberry refresher!

What You’ll Need

This recipe will use a 1/2 gallon jar to start, scale ingredients or up or down accordingly.

• 1/2 gallon mason jar for initial infusion (smaller or larger adjust quantities)

• 1-1.5 lbs American Elderberries

• 1-1.5 quarts Organic Apple Cider Vinegar

• 1 Quart Raw Honey

• Glass storage jars (recommend 16 or 32 oz)

Instructions

1. Fill a clean half-gallon glass jar about halfway with fresh or frozen American elderberries.

   IMPORTANT: You must be using American elderberry varieties for this method as it does not include heat. All Soil & Stick elderberries are American Elderberry.

2. Pour in organic apple cider vinegar to cover the berries and fill to the brim and put the lid on.

3. Gently turn the jar a few times to combine the berries and vinegar.

4. Set the jar on your counter and let it infuse for 4–8 weeks, checking occasionally and giving it a gentle turn every so often.

5. After the infusion period, strain the mixture through a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth, pressing the berries to extract as much liquid as possible.

6. Divide the strained elderberry vinegar into clean jars (for this recipe, likely need 3-4 quart jars or 6-8 pint jars)

7. Sweeten with honey. Pour local raw honey into the jars with the elderberry vinegar infusion.

   Common ratios are to use 1 part honey to 1 part elderberry vinegar mixture, or for a slightly less sweet shrub, 2 parts honey to 3 parts elderberry vinegar (my personal favorite).

8. Store in the refrigerator. Your shrub is now ready to use!

Serving Ideas

• Take 1-2 tablespoons daily for a powerhouse health elixir

• Mix 1–2 tablespoons with sparkling water and a squeeze of citrus for a refreshing elderberry soda.

• Add to mocktails or cocktails for a tart, fruity twist.

• Drizzle over icecream for a surprisingly elevated treat!

• Combine with balsamic vinegar for a bright and beautiful elderberry balsamic reduction sauce.

• Use as a salad dressing

Watch

Watch Morgan elderberry shrub in her kitchen in a two part series.