Hawthorn Syrup
A delicious home remedy for heart health, hawthorn syrup is also tasty in the kitchen. It makes wonderful drinks, and it's perfect for pouring over pancakes or desserts.
Servings: 24 servings (about 1 1/2 cups)
Ingredients
- 4 cups Fresh Hawthorn Berries 500 g fresh, or 250 grams dried hawthorn berries
- 1 1/4 cups Sugar or an equal amount of honey
- 3 cups Water
Instructions
- Wash the fresh berries and remove any stems or leaves. If you’re using dried berries, you can skip this step.
- Place the prepared berries in a large pot with 750 ml of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer for 20 minutes, or until the berries are soft and the liquid is reduced by half.
- Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth, removing all the seeds and pulp. Strain twice for a smooth syrup.
- Add 250 grams of sugar or honey. Heat gently over medium heat until the sugar dissolves, then bring the mixture to a boil for 3 minutes.
- Pour the hot syrup into sterilized bottles or jars. Seal and store in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. Once opened, refrigerate for up to a few weeks.
Notes
Fresh hawthorn berries will give the syrup a bright, fresh flavor, while dried hawthorn berries will result in a more concentrated and slightly deeper taste. Both work well, so choose based on the flavor profile you prefer.
Hawthorn syrup may thicken over time, especially if stored in the refrigerator. If it becomes too thick, simply warm it up to return it to a pourable syrup consistency.
You can substitute honey for the sugar in the recipe if you prefer a more floral and complex sweetness. Honey also has its own medicinal properties and can enhance the syrup’s heart-healthy benefits. If using honey, simply stir it into the warm, strained hawthorn liquid — do not bring it to a boil to preserve its beneficial properties.
To add a touch of tang and balance out the sweetness, consider replacing up to 1/4 to 1/2 cup of the water with apple cider vinegar. This addition is optional but can give the syrup a more complex flavor, helping to balance the sweetness.
For extra depth of flavor, you can infuse the syrup with herbs or spices such as cinnamon sticks, star anise, or fresh ginger during the simmering process. These can add a warming, spicy note to the syrup, making it perfect for fall and winter drinks.
This recipe can easily be scaled up or down depending on how many hawthorn berries you have. Keep the 3:2:1 ratio (3 parts water, 2 parts hawthorn berries, and 1 part sugar) to maintain the right balance of flavor and sweetness.
Medicinal Use
Hawthorn syrup is often used for its potential heart-health benefits. For a daily dose, take 1–2 tablespoons per day, especially during colder months when supporting circulation is important.
Culinary Use
Besides medicinal use, hawthorn syrup can be drizzled over pancakes, mixed into cocktails, added to hot beverages, or used as a dessert topping. Experiment with it in your favorite recipes!
Nutrition
Serving: 1Tbsp | Calories: 74kcal | Carbohydrates: 18g | Protein: 0.3g | Fat: 0.1g | Sodium: 2mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 11g | Vitamin A: 920IU | Vitamin C: 90mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 0.2mg