RECIPE: Rose Hip Manuka Syrup

Gather rose hips along the hedgerow away from busy roads.  It is fine to forage along a designated footpath.  Or ask the landowner’s permission.

Remember to take some garden snips with you and then trim the hips when you get back to the kitchen.

Or scroll down for elderberry method.

Total 20 minutes

You will also need: 

• Fine sieve lined with damp muslin
• Preserving jar with new lid.  See preserving notes here:

Method:

Gather the rose hips, wash well, but do not leave soaking in cold water.  Remove the stalks and discard.

Measure apple juice into a heavy based lidded pan and add rose hips

Bring to a rapid boil for no more than a minute

Then reduce heat, adjust pan lid at an angle and simmer the hips for 10 – 20 minutes until soft and the skins have split

Add a little more juice if necessary to keep the hips immersed in liquid

Warm a sterilised jar to store syrup

Strain the liquid through a fine muslin lined sieve into the sterilised jar and whilst still warm add the Manuka honey

Screw lid tight and shake the contents well

The honey will dissolve into the warm liquid

Once the jar is cold, label and store in the fridge

To make approximately 500 ml 

Notes for Cooks

The fruit juice needs to be warm to dissolve the honey.  Warm the jar very gently if then honey is not fully dissolved.

Will keep 3- 4 weeks stored in the fridge.  A slight froth will form after shaking the jar.  This will settle as the syrup cools.

Elderberry Syrup 

This recipe also works really well with elderberries.  Use 250 g elderberries removed from the stalks and cook with 250 ml apple juice.  Combine with 250 g Manuka honey.

Recipe ingredient: Rose Hips

During the Second World War, it was discovered that the fruit of the wild rose contained a high percentage of Vitamin C (ascorbic acid).  Take care not to over cook the fruit as continued boiling will reduce the vitamin content.

Learn more about Manuka Direct – Genuine Monoflora, Manuka Honey here:

Or try some for yourself

More recipes from All Hallows AGA Approved Cookery School