Elderflower Tincture – Simple Homemade Recipe
Homemade elderflower tincture can support a healthy immune system and help to promote a stronger respiratory system. Here’s a simple recipe taking you through how to make DIY elderflower tincture.
Yield: 1 Bottle
Equipment
- An airtight container with a plastic lid
- Small amber glass bottles with dropper tops
- A fine mesh strainer, cheesecloth, or coffee filter
- A small funnel
Materials
- Bunches of fresh elderflowers – the amount depends on how large of a glass jar you are using. You want to be able to fill your jar ¾ of the way full with fresh flowers.
- 80- proof vodka or 40% grain alcohol – If you want to avoid alcohol, you can simply swap out the alcohol for store-bought apple cider vinegar.
Instructions
- If you’re foraging your elderflowers, it’s best to do so in the morning, before the direct sunlight hits the flowers. This is because the plant’s essential oils are at their most concentrated levels before receiving direct sunlight. Flowers harvested in the morning will result in a stronger tincture.
- Take your elderflowers and remove the green stems and leaves. Make sure to completely remove the green stems and leaves - you only want the flowers in your tincture. I do this by gently shaking the flowers off the stems over a plate.
- Fill a sanitised glass jar ¾ of the way full with fresh flowers.
- Cover the flowers with your alcohol until they are submerged.
- Put the lid on your jar and give it a gentle shake. It’s best to use a plastic lid, rather than metal, to avoid corrosion. If you only have a metal lid, put a piece of parchment paper between the mixture and the lid.
- Leave the jar in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight for 6-8 weeks.
- After 6-8 weeks, strain off the mixture. Use a small funnel to add the tincture into an amber glass dropper bottle and add it to a glass bottle.
- Add the date and label the tincture so you don’t forget when you made it or what it is.