How to Make Bilberry & Hawthorn Berry Syrup with jim mcdonald

Adding herbs, berries, and other healthful ingredients to apple cider is a delicious way to bring botanical support to your diet, so we’re excited to share this easy recipe by our friend jim mcdonald!
Make this syrup with hawthorn berries and bilberries as jim does, or substitute blueberries or any other dark-colored berry that contains anthocyanin and antioxidants to help support the cardiovascular system. Who doesn't love a functional herbal preparation that is also delicious?
🌱 Find the full recipe and read the blog here: mrh.life/HawthornSyrup
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[@carajohnson9238]

I cannot thank you enough. I was sitting at my dining table an hour ago trying to figure out how to make a child friendly "anti inflammatory brew", without using refined sugar. The base is what I needed and now I have it. Thank you.

[@ryanlauraboldman3187]

This is my favorite video on this channel. I saw a video of Jim’s years ago where he had done an herb walk and spoke about treating various fevers and it was revelatory to me at the time and I haven’t forgotten it. I appreciate his presentation style and this recipe seems approachable and delicious. I hope to see more of Jim in the future!

[@mountainroseherbs]

Glad you enjoyed it! jim has a great way of making things fun and approachable!

[@herbcraft]

that’s incredibly nice to hear; thank you!

[@spoolsandbobbins]

Awesome. We have many hawthorn and elderberry trees here so looks like that’s our thing!! Thanks.

[@youngspiritsinging]

Jim McDonald I am so happy to see you doing this class for Mountain Rose Herbs!

[@mountainroseherbs]

We love jim! And his syrup was delicious :)

[@StevieWonders2020]

If you're like me, you'll "think of" Elderberries with the hawthorns, bilberries, etc. I use them in my vinegars and Fire Ciders. WOW

[@EarthseedDetroit]

Ooooo!!!! I forgot you told us how to do this!!! I WILL be making an apple cider reduction syrup!!!

[@mountainroseherbs]

It's so good!! Apple cider everything season 🥰

[@ASK-yogi]

We just made this, and think it could be a very good alternative to other homemade Hawthorn syrup recipes. Thank you.

[@mountainroseherbs]

Thank you so much!

[@embodyingpt]

I am so excited about the apple juice method of making syrup. And I have a similar friendship with Lynne Rosetto Kaspar ;)

[@herbcraft]

Lynne is the best!

[@Idavilah]

Excellent! I'm ready to prepare this healthy syrup!! Thanks for the receipt!!

[@ChumuHandmadeSoap]

Thank you for sharing 👍

[@Sara-gl8ue]

Hi Jim! You make such lovely and informative videos. I take hawthorn berries because they're good for the heart.
I have a question. I'm looking at herbalist schools right now and was wondering if you had a school recommendation? Thanks!

[@mountainroseherbs]

Hi Sara! Herbal schools are such a personal choice based on what you are hoping to get out of the school. If you're wanting to look through a list of highly regarded herb schools, you can check out the list we have compiled here: mountainroseherbs.com/herbal-education. Throughout this list, there are both online schools and in-person schools based on region! If you like jim's teaching style, he offers both in-person and online classes :) You can find more information about his classes here: www.herbcraft.org/classes.html. I hope that helps to get you on your way! ~ Gracie

[@Knards]

I kept thinking why not add honey as a preservative, but then again that would supercharge the sugars! I do however make a great Elderberry mixed with bilberry tincture that sets a year before I start using it

[@herbcraft]

syrups made with only honey are similarly susceptible to spoilage over time. The ways to make “shelf stable” syrups involve adding alcohol or using a much large percentage of refined white sugar.

[@1331RECIPROCITY]

Cool

[@Kadeeae]

Great video 😁 Three quick questions though - 1) if using frozen blueberries (or any berry), do they have to thaw first? 2) Is apple juice the same as cider? I only have apple juice. 3) If the frozen syrup is thawed to dispense, can it be re-frozen or should it be decanted into smaller jars before freezing? Thanks so much!

[@herbcraft]

1.) I haven't thawed frozen berries first
2.) cider vs juice: this is a bit tricky, and depends on where you live. In some places the word cider implies hard/fermented/alcoholic cider. In others, cider refers to fresh pressed or milled and unfiltered apple juice, which may or may not be pasteurized. Filters, pasteurized juice is just apple juice. I would call fresh, from the orchard/mill apple juice "cider", and generally store bought apple juice, even if unfiltered, just isn't in the same league.
3.) I totally thaw out what I need and refreeze whatever remains, over and over.

[@Kadeeae]

Just saw your reply, thank you!

[@wellspring2life-]

Does anyone know if digesting the hawthorn berry seeds ground up is safe?

[@chelinfusco6403]

Thank you so much. I was wondering, would a slow cooker be practical for the first reduction? Just wondering. Also, you mentioned canning, so I thinking water-bath canning? If so, that would be awesome!

[@myufostory689]

I use my slow cooker often for medicine and I've never had a problem. With a slow cooker, you learn patience.

[@herbcraft]

a slow cooker would be wonderful ; remember to leave it uncovered to allow the syrup to reduce.
I expect water bath canning should work great.

[@rexg2985]

Could you use Elderberrys?

[@mountainroseherbs]

Hi Rex! You certainly could use elderberries in this recipe! The key to elderberries is they need to be simmered for a while (I've heard a range of at least 20 minutes to 45 minutes). Then discard the pulp and use the juice. So jim's recipe is great because the elderberries are going to boil down significantly longer than that and then will be strained out. Let us know if you try it with elderberries, sounds delicious! - Gracie

[@herbcraft]

for sure!

[@nyccoffeegirl55]

Can we do anything with the berries when done?

[@herbcraft]

I never have… they seem spent to me, though glazed in cider the bilberries probably taste good. Hawthorne can be seedy.

[@sandrapowell286]

Compost or chickens!

[@blancaaviles5957]

where to buy the hawthorne berries and the bilberries? thank you.

[@herbcraft]

While many can forage their own hawthorne and bil(or blue)berries, if that's not practical, Mountain Rose is certainly a great resource.

[@mountainroseherbs]

Thanks jim!! - Gracie

[@honeyvitagliano3227]

💚🙏

[@annw.2161]

Or, over ice cream!

[@katrussell6819]

Consider slowing down a bit on those longish, complicated words.

[@mountainroseherbs]

Hi there! If you'd like to follow along with this recipe, you can find the full written blog and recipe here: blog.mountainroseherbs.com/bilberry-and-hawthorn-berry-syrup