12/06/2025
I was planning to make an elderberry syrup BUT after my recent cranberry Oxymel creation, I thought why not make an Elderberry Oxymel?
If you have done both or either or, the benefits to the Oxymel would definitely be longer shelf life (no refrigeration necessary) and an Oxymel will not only preserve more nutrients (since it isn't heated) but it will also be more potent.
The benefit of doing a syrup is that it is ready faster- same day, you don't wait weeks for infusion plus it tends to be a little sweeter which may be nice for kids or finicky husbands 😛
The Oxymel was definitely quicker to prep. I put the kids to bed and in less than 10 minutes, this beautiful Oxymel was ready for the shelf.
I decided to go crazy with my spices so I ended up adding rosehips .Ginger root. A cinnamon stick, whole cloves, and hibiscus flowers. I also used a darker, fall honey, still raw and local.
Recipe in comments!