If you are using fresh berries, rinse them and separate them from the stems. Get as many stems out as possible. It can be easier to remove the berries if you first freeze them. (see blog post for details)

Add elderberries, cinnamon sticks, and water to a medium pot and bring to a boil over medium-high heat. Once it is boiling, reduce it to a simmer. 

Simmer for 45 minutes to an hour with no lid, reducing it in half. Keep an eye on it and adjust the temperature if needed to ensure it is reducing properly and not too fast. 

After it has reduced by half, remove it from the heat and let it sit for 30 minutes.

After 30 minutes, strain the berries through a fine mesh sieve or strainer to separate the elderberry juice. Discard the solids. 

Add the juice to a bowl and then add one cup of honey. Stir or whisk until it is fully dissolved. You do not want to add in the honey too early because the heat can kill the beneficial properties of the raw honey. 

If you are storing it in the fridge, add to an airtight container or 8 oz jars. 

If you are freezing the syrup, let the finished syrup cool to room temperature and then add it to an ice cube tray. After the cubes are frozen you can then take them out and store them in a large freezer bag or container. If you prefer, you can also freeze it in 8 oz mason jars and let it thaw when you want to use it. Just be sure to leave enough headspace to allow for expansion when it freezes.