Making Elderberry Ginger Tincture

Why Elderberry and Ginger?

Elderberry has a long history in traditional herbal practice, especially for colds and flu. Modern research has explored elderberry extracts and syrups for their potential to help reduce the severity and length of certain respiratory illnesses when taken at the first sign of symptoms. Results are mixed, but several small studies suggest elderberry may support the body when you’re under the weather rather than doing nothing at all.

Ginger is another familiar ally. Many people reach for ginger when they’re queasy, dealing with motion sickness, or feeling off from a bug. It’s known for its anti-nausea properties, and it shows up in everything from teas to lozenges to travel remedies. When you pair ginger’s warming, soothing character with elderberry’s rich, tart depth, you get something that feels well-suited to cold months.

Again, this isn’t about magic. It’s about bringing together plants that people have leaned on for generations and turning them into something easy to keep on the shelf and add to your winter routine.

The Elderberry Ginger Tincture Recipe

This is the process I followed from October 9 to November 23.

Ingredients

• 1 cup fresh elderberries, destemmed and rinsed
  (or about ½ cup dried elderberries if fresh aren’t available)

• ½ cup fresh ginger root, scrubbed and sliced into thin coins

• 80-proof vodka (enough to fully cover berries and ginger in the jar)

• 1 clean glass jar with a tight-fitting lid (pint or quart size)

• Dark glass dropper bottles or small jars for bottling

You can scale the amounts up or down as long as you keep the basic proportions: roughly 2 parts elderberries to 1 part ginger by volume, then cover everything fully with vodka.

Step 1: Prep the Elderberries and Ginger

1. Remove the elderberries from their stems. Discard any unripe, shriveled, or damaged berries.
2. Rinse the berries and drain them well.
3. Scrub the ginger root under running water. Slice it into thin rounds (you can leave the skin on if it’s clean and fresh).

Step 2: Fill the Jar

1. Add the elderberries to your clean glass jar, filling it about one-third to halfway.
2. Add the sliced ginger on top of the berries, tucking pieces down into the fruit.
3. Pour vodka over the mixture slowly. Make sure the berries and ginger are completely submerged, with at least a half inch of alcohol covering the top. Anything sticking above the liquid can mold.
4. Seal the jar tightly.

Label the jar with the contents and start date:

Elderberry + Ginger Tincture
Started: October 9, 2025

Step 3: Let It Steep

1. Place the jar in a cool, dark spot like a cupboard or pantry.
2. Once a day (or as often as you remember), take it out and give it a good shake. This helps keep everything moving and improves extraction.
3. Let it steep for at least 4 weeks; I let mine go about 6 weeks, from October 9 to November 23.

You’ll notice the liquid darken over time into a deep purple, and the scent will become richer and more ginger-forward as the weeks go by.

Step 4: Strain and Bottle

On November 23, 2025, I bottled the batch. Here’s how:

1. Place a fine strainer lined with cheesecloth over a clean bowl or large measuring cup.
2. Pour the contents of the jar through the cloth and strainer.
3. Gather up the cheesecloth and gently squeeze to press out as much liquid as you can from the berries and ginger.
4. Discard the spent plant material (or compost it if appropriate).
5. Use a small funnel to pour the finished tincture into dark glass bottles. Dark glass helps protect it from light and extend its shelf life.

Label the bottles:

Elderberry + Ginger Tincture
Bottled: November 23, 2025

Stored in a cool, dark place, an alcohol-based tincture like this can keep for as long as 5 years. I keep mine in the refrigerator.

How You Might Use It

Because it’s strong and alcohol-based, a little goes a long way. Here are a few simple ways to incorporate a tincture like this into your routine:

• Add a small splash to a mug of hot water or herbal tea for a berry-and-ginger kick.

• Stir a teaspoon into honey and then add that honey to tea.

• Mix a small amount into sparkling water for a lightly spiced, tart drink.

Everyone has their own comfort level with flavor and strength, so start with just a few drops or a small teaspoon and adjust from there.

A Note of Caution

This recipe is shared as a personal project and a way to connect more deeply with what’s growing around us. It’s not medical advice, and this tincture is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

If you’re interested in making or using herbal preparations like this:

• Do your own research from trusted sources.

• Talk with your doctor or another qualified health professional, especially if you:

  • take prescription medications,

  • are pregnant or breastfeeding,

  • have chronic health conditions, or

Think of this tincture as one small tool in a much larger toolkit that includes rest, good food, medical care when you need it, and a strong connection to the land around you. If you decide to make a batch of your own, label it well, go slowly, and let it become part of your story too.

CONTAINS ALCOHOL: KEEP OUT OF REACH OF CHILDREN