Easy Recipe to Make an Elderberry Oxymel
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If you’ve been looking for an easy recipe to make an elderberry oxymel, look no further. This is such an easy way to use elderberries for immune support with three simple ingredients: elderberries, raw apple cider vinegar, and raw honey.
For me, sometimes taking an elderberry syrup makes me feel green around the gills. I don’t really care for the sweetness, especially when I’m not feeling great. When I made my first elderberry oxymel, I liked that so much better! It’s sweet but also sour with the vinegar and not overwhelmingly candy-like which my old lady taste buds can no longer tolerate.
Making oxymels with different herbs and fruits and berries is a great way to preserve the benefits that you want to keep by simply infusing in vinegar. Vinegar has a basically indefinite shelf life, even after infused. I make a gallon of elderberry oxymel after a really good year in 2022 and haven’t needed to make any sense. I’m sure the effectiveness may reduce, but so far it’s held up nicely.
What is an oxymel?
Mountain Rose Herbs has a really nice write up on herbal oxymels and their benefits, so I will link that for you to read here.
The word oxymel is from the Greek word oxymeli which means “acid and honey.” The most frequently used acid is apple cider vinegar, but as stated any acid will potentially work. Raw vinegars are easy to make myself (I frequently sub in my homemade apple scrap vinegar) and are pretty economical to buy, making them the first choice for many crafters.
Making an oxymel brings the properties of raw honey together with raw apple cider vinegar and then you can add WHATEVER herbs you want to make a pretty awesome elixir to support your body wherever it needs it. The particularly bitter or gross ones that aren’t pleasant to take as tea will usually work well in an oxymel.
Oxymels are considered herbal elixirs, but not every herbal elixir can be called an oxymel. To be a true oxymel, one has to use both an acid and honey to infuse. Cool? The terms get confused a lot and I know tons is lost on me, because I’ll call it whatever the heck I want. But sometimes people get big mad and feel the need to correct you.
Benefits of an Oxymel
I think by now we all must know that raw apple cider vinegar touts great benefits to our digestive system, for soothing dry throats, and can also be a good expectorant when mixed with the right herbs. It’s also a great boost to our immune systems and when ingested raw, with the mother, you get the protein, enzymes, and beneficial bacteria of that along with the acetic acid from vinegar. This is why when making herbal oxymels you really should be using RAW vinegar.
Honey brings antimicrobial properties, plus a pleasant flavor, to the table. Mixing just honey and raw vinegar together have a multitude of benefits, so when you add herb(s) tailored to your personal needs, you’re creating a really helpful elixir!
Add in the elderberries and we’ve got an immune boosting and supportive powerhouse in my opinion. Plus… it’s delicious :)
How to Make an Oxymel
Assembling an oxymel is quite easy. You can also adjust it to your preference and palate. I know some folks prefer things more tart and others can’t handle that, so know that you can adjust the honey to vinegar ratio up to 5 parts honey to 1 part vinegar if you’d like to.
For me, I like a 1:1 honey to vinegar ratio. I have found that’s perfect for me. If there’s too much sour from the vinegar, it makes me gag. I’m a weird one, I know.
I tend to use 1 part herbs to every 3 parts vinegar and honey. That would translate to 1 cup herbs, 3 cups vinegar, and 3 cups honey.
Assemble your oxymel using your chosen ratio into a glass canning jar. Cover with an old canning lid and secure with a ring. Shake 1-2 times every single day to 2 weeks. At this time, your oxymel is ready to strain and start using. Shelf life is years, even though online will tell you 6 months. I wouldn’t go tossing it if you have some leftover, just try and not make more than you need for a years time unlike me :D
I have also seen others do a decoction to speed up the process, especially when using hardy roots, but I prefer to use the slower method, even with hard roots like dandelion or licorice roots. One… I don’t want to boil straight vinegar.. the steam makes my eyes want to bleed.. and two… I plan ahead enough that it’s okay. And even if I didn’t, I have found that patience and slow infusion provides a much more quality product than cooking, because most herbs I use are quite delicate anyway.
If you do choose the decoction route, be sure and add the honey after the mixture has been strained and cooled as to not destroy the benefits of raw honey.
How to Use an Oxymel
Take an oxymel when needed. Specifically for this elderberry oxymel, take when you need to help boost your immune system. You can also take it while you’re sick. For any other oxymels, based on the herbs you use, take it when those herbs would provide benefit to you.
You can make homemade vinaigrettes with this, splash it into some warm tea, or even add it to home fermented “sodas” for a bubbly shrub type of situation. It doesn’t always have to be shoved down your gullet with a spoon like medicine. Sometimes medicine can be quite refreshing and enjoyable!
I also make a cranberry oxymel, find that recipe here, that is great for many things but also makes a killer vinaigrette mixed with some grainy mustard and olive oil, then drizzled over a bed of freshly grown lettuce and sliced strawberries. Oh my goodnesssssssss.
Let’s make us an elderberry oxymel!
Equipment You Might Want
Large glass canning jar
Lid & screw band
Strainer
Ingredients
1 cup fresh elderberries (or 2/3 cup dried elderberries)
3 cups raw apple cider vinegar (or apple scrap vinegar)
3 cups raw honey
Step 1: Assemble the Oxymel
Into a half gallon canning jar, measure out 3 cups of vinegar and 3 cups of honey. This works great because most jars have the measurements on the sides.
Add in the elderberries and any other herbs you would like to have.
Shake well and set aside in a dark place like a cabinet or closet. Somewhere you’ll remember it though because it should be shaken daily.
Shake the oxymel once or twice a day for 2 weeks minimum. I’ve let my sit for months forgotten and they were fine, so don’t fret.
Step 2: Strain
After 2 weeks, strain the oxymel to remove the elderberries and herbs. Store sealed in a glass jar. If using an old canning lid, add wax paper between the lid and the vinegar to protect the lid since high concentrations of vinegar can react with the enamel and cause the lid to rust.
Step 3: Store
Store in a dark location for up to 6 months, but I’ve had them last years just fine. Only make how much you need for a year or so. And if this batch is too much, downsize or share with friends!
To use:
Take 1-2 tablespoons 1-3x per day as needed. It’s quite literally food so it will be fine.
Since this has raw honey in it, remember that it is not recommended in infants 1 year or under.
And now you know how to make your own elderberry oxymel!
Equipment
- Large glass canning jar
- Lid & screw band
- Strainer
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh elderberries or 2/3 cup dried elderberries
- 3 cups raw apple cider vinegar or apple scrap vinegar
- 3 cups raw honey
Instructions
- Into a half gallon canning jar, measure out 3 cups of vinegar and 3 cups of honey. This works great because most jars have the measurements on the sides.
- Add in the elderberries and any other herbs you would like to have.
- Shake well and set aside in a dark place like a cabinet or closet. Somewhere you’ll remember it though because it should be shaken daily.
- Shake the oxymel once or twice a day for 2 weeks minimum. I’ve let my sit for months forgotten and they were fine, so don’t fret.
- After 2 weeks, strain the oxymel to remove the elderberries and herbs. Store sealed in a glass jar. If using an old canning lid, add wax paper between the lid and the vinegar to protect the lid since high concentrations of vinegar can react with the enamel and cause the lid to rust.
- Store in a dark location for up to 6 months, but I’ve had them last years just fine. Only make how much you need for a year or so. And if this batch is too much, downsize or share with friends!
- To use: Take 1-2 tablespoons 1-3x per day as needed. It's quite literally food so it will be fine.
Can one freeze the elderberry oxymel in ice cube trays for longer storage and just add them to hot tea as needed?
sure, but its basically indefinitely shelf stable as is :)