elderberry juice concentrate

 It's elderberry season!  I collected a couple of tubs worth, cleaning some right away and washing others and freezing them to clean.  I was told it was easier to process the berries if they were frozen but honestly I found it more difficult to pick the stems clean.  If I can process fresh, it's easiest for me.  

As I processed them, I frozen them.  Today I took out a gallon bag and a quart bag or two.  Put into a big pot on low heat to thaw the berries; then I turned up the heat and brought it to boil, reduced heat to a simmer for at least 10 minutes.  

While this was happening, I prepared jars and lids.  

I strained the juice through a sieve and then put into jars.  I added about 1 tsp. of lemon jice to each 8 oz jar.  Then I water bathed the jars for 10 minutes.  From this batch I got two 8 oz jars and four 4 oz jars.  

I'll use this juice concentrate when I or friends are ill; I will add it to an oxymel or add 1 tsp to tea or water to drink as juice. 

elderberry liqueur

Recipe for elderberry liqueur from here. 

In a quart jar:

- 2 cups fresh cleaned elderberries (no stems, etc.)

- 3 one-inch pieces of lemon rind (no white pith)

- fill up the jar with vodka

Leave it in a dark cupboard for a few months.  Gently shake it occasionally.

When it's dark enough, strain out the berries.  

Add 1/4-1/3 cup sugar (to taste) and let it sit a few more days for sugar to fully dissolve.

*I think that I'll add honey instead of sugar, and next time I'll try it with bourbon.