Elderberry Downes Recipe

Elderberry Vinegar

A bold, tangy elderberry vinegar made with elderberry juice, vinegar, and a touch of sweetness. Use it in salad dressings, marinades, glazes, shrubs, sauces, and everyday kitchen experiments.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Rest Time 24 hours

Makes About 3 cups

A Quick Note Before You Start

This recipe starts with prepared elderberry juice, so the elderberries have already been cooked or processed. The vinegar gives the finished recipe a bright, tangy flavour that works well in both sweet and savoury dishes.

Ingredients

2 cups prepared elderberry juice
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1/4 to 1/2 cup honey or sugar, to taste
1 tablespoon lemon juice
Optional: 1 cinnamon stick
Optional: 2 whole cloves
Optional: small slice of fresh ginger

Helpful Equipment

Small saucepan
Fine mesh strainer
Clean glass bottle or jar
Funnel

Instructions

Add the elderberry juice, apple cider vinegar, lemon juice, and optional spices to a small saucepan.
Warm gently over medium-low heat. Do not boil hard.
Stir in the honey or sugar until dissolved.
Simmer gently for 5 to 10 minutes to help the flavours blend.
Remove from heat and allow the mixture to cool.
Strain out the cinnamon stick, cloves, or ginger if used.
Pour into a clean glass bottle or jar.
Refrigerate for at least 24 hours before using for best flavour.

Storage

Store elderberry vinegar in a clean bottle or jar in the refrigerator. Use within 3 to 4 weeks. Shake before using.

How to Use It

Whisk into salad dressings
Use as a marinade base
Add to sparkling water as a shrub
Brush onto roasted vegetables
Use in glazes for pork, chicken, or roasted squash

Recipe Notes

For a sharper vinegar, use less honey or sugar. For a sweeter shrub-style vinegar, increase the honey slightly and serve diluted with sparkling water.