Homemade Elderberry Gummies (2024)

Elderberry gummies are a tasty way to boost your immune system, and a fun way to get children to take their medicine. Elderberry syrup is well known in natural health circles as an immune-stimulating tonic, but why get out the medicine spoon when it’s a lot more fun to pop a few elderberry gummies in your mouth!

My kids love homemade gummy bears, ever since we made our first batch of dandelion honey gummies this spring. My daughter will pull out the silicone gummy bear molds and beg for gummy bear time.

Why not? They’re quick and easy to make. About 20 minutes start to finish, and two pre-schoolers do most of the work themselves!

For the most part, our homemade gummy bears are just fun treats. Sure, we’re using grass-fed gelatin which provides plenty of nutrients and protein, but I’ve yet to try to incorporate herbal medicines into my homemade gummies. Given that the base recipe starts with either herbal tea or fruit juice, using medicinal herbs (or berries in this case) is a logical next step.

I started by making a batch of homemade elderberry syrup. Recipes vary, but the basic process is to take dried elderberries and simmer them in water for about 30 minutes until they make a strong elderberry tea. I started with 1 cup of elderberries in 2 cups water and simmered it until the liquid had reduced by half to yield 1 cup (about 25-30 min).

Allow the mixture to cool to lukewarm and add in 1/2 cup of raw honey.

At this point, you have homemade elderberry syrup!

Of course, you can always start with store-bought elderberry syrup instead if that’s what you have on hand. Keep in mind though, storebought elderberry syrup often has other ingredients, including alcohol and cider vinegar for preservation. If you’re opposed to that, be sure to make your own simple elderberry syrup using dried elderberries and raw honey.

From elderberry syrup, there’s only one more ingredient to add to transform your syrup into convenient (and fun) elderberry gummies.

Elderberry syrup is the main ingredient in this homemade elderberry gummies recipe.

Elderberry Gummy Variations

Given that these simple elderberry gummies can be made with a strong elderberry tea and honey, it’s easy to incorporate other herbs into the mix. Consider adding other immune-boosting herbs, or other targeted herbs based on your goals. Cinnamon and ginger are warming and comforting, and are good choices to complement elderberry gummies.

Consider adding any of the following:

Ingredients

1 1/2 cups Elderberry Syrup (see note)
3 Tbsp. Gelatin Powder

Instructions

Gently warm the elderberry syrup on the stove until it's lukewarm (90 to 100 degrees).
Add the gelatin powder and whisk until fully dissolved about 1-2 minutes.
Pour the mixture into silicone gummy molds, using a dropper for easier pouring (or simply carefully spooning the mixture).
Allow the elderberry gummies to set for about 20 minutes until firm.
Remove the gummies from their molds.
Store in a tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. Consume within 2-3 weeks.

Notes

To make homemade elderberry syrup, simmer 1 cup dried elderberries in 2 cups water for about 20-30 minutes. The liquid should reduce to about a cup once strained. Allow this strong elderberry tea to cool, and then add 1/2 raw honey for every cup of elderberry tea.

These elderberry gummies can be made with other herbs as well, simply add your choice of ingredients to the simmering pot along with the dried elderberries.

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