Oregon grape syrup

Name: Oregon grape syrup
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: ± 400 ml
Ingredients: 500 g ripe Oregon grape berries (blue-black with a bloom); 250 ml water; 60 g sugar per 100 ml juice (± 210 g); juice of 1 lemon

Updated on 9 October 2026

Makes: ± 400 ml
Time: 30 min + 2 hrs draining
From: Oregon grape

Ingredients

500 g ripe Oregon grape berries (blue-black with a bloom)
250 ml water
60 g sugar per 100 ml juice (± 210 g)
juice of 1 lemon

Method

Pick the berries off the clusters and remove stalks and unripe red berries. Rinse them.
Put the berries and water in a pan, crush them with a masher and bring to the boil. Simmer for 10–15 minutes until they burst.
Pour everything into a fine sieve or cloth set over a bowl and leave to drain for 2 hours. Press the berries lightly and discard the seeds and skins.
Measure the juice and put it in a clean pan. Add 60 g sugar per 100 ml juice and the lemon juice.
Bring to the boil and boil for 5 minutes. Skim off the foam.
Pour boiling hot into clean, sterilised bottles and seal at once.

Storing: Unopened, 6 months in a cool, dark place; once opened, in the fridge and used within 4 weeks. Dilute 1 part syrup with 5 parts water. The syrup is tart and fresh-tasting: enjoy in moderation.