Susun Weeds Wise Woman Forum

My husband and I both love marshmallow syrup for stomach problems, and I've made some other syrups that I really like as well, but I find they don't last as long as I expect. I make a decoction of the herb and add half as much honey, which is how I learned to do it, and keep them in the fridge, but they go bad before we use them up.

First, how long should I be expecting them to last?

And I've heard that adding alcohol, i.e. 80 proof vodka, helps preserve syrups - how much would be good to add?

Thanks!

Alcohol does help! I add about a quarter the amount of alcohol to syrup. Refrigeration helps too. I usually do both.

Thanks Gwen!

I did hear from a friend around here that she uses a tablespoon or two of 80 proof alcohol per quart - interesting. I'll try something in between. I don't want them to be noticeably alcoholic.

Yeah sure! To be honest with you, I tend to eyeball as opposed to measure, but 4:1 seems about right. I don't like a strong alcohol taste either, and I forgot to mention that a taste test is implemented throughout the pouring and mixing. It could very well be a little less. But I just opened a bottle of elderberry syrup from last year that was hiding in my fridge, and it tasted good. We just finished it up. So yeah, play around with it. You'll figure out what works!