ELDERBERRY SYRUP WITH MAYA HONEY

4 cups filtered water
3/4 cup dried elderberries
2 tbsp sliced ginger
1/2 cup RAW Maya Honey

Extras:

1 cinnamon stick (optional)
5-6 whole cloves (optional)
3-4 cardamom pods (optional)
1-2 star anise (optional)
1 tbsp lemon zest (optional)

1. Place water in a saucepan. Add elderberries, ginger and the add-ins of your choice (cinnamon, cloves, cardamom, star anise, lemon zest, etc.). Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 1 hour, until the syrup has reduced by about half.
2. Remove from heat and using a fine mesh sieve placed over a large bowl, strain out mixture, pressing to extract as much liquid as possible. Discard solids and let the syrup cool slightly.
3. Once the liquid has cooled down, stir RAW Maya honey (adding honey when the liquid is too hot can destroy some of its beneficial antioxidant/antibacterial properties). Taste and add more honey if needed.
4. Transfer the syrup to a glass jar and store in the fridge.