Published on Dec 15, 2020 | Last updated on Jan 2, 2023
After sharing on Instagram about my first trials making Rose Hip Syrup, you asked me if I could share the recipe with you… well, of course I can! Rose hip syrup is super easy to make, and very nutritious too as rose hips are incredibly rich in vitamin C! Thus, I couldn’t be happier to share with you my own version of how to make this delicious and medicinal syrup.
Harvesting Rose Hips
So far, I have only worked with Dog Rose hips (Rosa canina) for syrup. As always, it is important to know how to identify wild edible plants and fruits correctly, so make sure you learn about Rosa canina before you start collecting her berry-like hips. If you are unsure about how Dog Rose looks like, this website is a good place to start.
Here in Portugal, the fruits start to be ready for harvest in late September. However, the best time to harvest them is after the first frost, which for us in Portugal usually means waiting a couple of weeks more, depending on where we live in the country.
My latest bottle of syrup was made with rose hips harvested in the beginning of December in the region of Foz Côa, and the hips were so much sweeter than in September! Their colour was not bright orange anymore, but more like a dark red, and many looked a bit wrinkled too. Some were already fermented, so I avoided those. Also ignored the super dark ones that were too burned by the cold and dry inside. To avoid harvesting unripe hips, my favourite method is to listen to Rosa by gently pulling the hip and seeing if she releases herself easily. If not, I simply move on to the next hip.
Something important to mention is that I like to spread my foraging activity over a large area to include different shrubs and I only harvest a fraction of the hips of each Rosa canina, to leave plenty behind for birds and other animals who depend on them during Winter. I also like to ask for permission – which can be as simple as taking the time to connect with Rosa and carefully observe if that particular shrub is healthy and abundant enough to be harvested from as well as if this is the only individual in the area – and in the end I like to say thank you to show my appreciation for the gift offered (we can also go a step forward and ask/check how we can help that particular shrub/community to thrive).
If you’d like to know more about ethical foraging, I found this page on responsible foraging guidelines particularly helpful and straight to the point.
Rose Hip Syrup Recipe
This recipe is based on The Spruce Eats‘ recipe, with a few adjustments. I managed to fill a big glass bottle (as seen in the last photo)!
Ingredients
- 2 cups with rose hips
- 4 cups of water
- aprox. 1,3 cup of muscovado (or brown) sugar
Method
- Wash your rose hips thoroughly;
- Remove the stems and flower remnants, and cut the rose hips in half;
- Place the rose hips in a pot and cover them with 2 cups of water;
- Bring the rose hips to a boil, then remove from heat and allow to steep for 30 minutes;
- Strain the rose hips with a piece of clean cloth or a jelly bag (I went with the clean cloth and it worked fine);
- Add the rose hip pulp back to the pot, add the other 2 cups of water and repeat the previous steps of steeping and straining the liquid;
- In a clean pot, pour your rose hip tea and add the sugar. Feel free to experiment with the sugar quantity to adapt to your personal taste. Bring it back to a boil while mixing and it’s done!
- Sterilize the glass bottle (including lids/corks) with boiling water;
- Pour your syrup into your bottle with the help of a funnel (also sterilized).
There you go! You’ve made delicious Rose Hip Syrup! Delight yourself with this drink from the gods, and in case you find it too concentrated, you can always add a little bit of water to your cup to dilute it ♥︎
I hope you enjoyed this recipe and that this syrup gives you an extra boost during the colder Winter months. If you give it a try, please share it with me in the comment section bellow or else tag me on instagram! I’d love to know how it goes and how you liked it♥︎
Last but not least, if you’ve enjoyed this, make sure to check out my other recipes, such as:
- Delicious Homemade Elderflower Cordial Recipe
- How to make White Crowberries’ Jelly (Camarinhas)
- Homemade Blackberry Jam (no sugar | no pectin)
- How to make Black Mulberry Jam
Much love and take care, Filipa 🍂
FAQs
Rosehip extract contains polyphenols and anthocyanins, which are believed to ease joint inflammation and prevent joint damage. It's also rich in vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties.
What is rosehip syrup good for? ›
Rosehip extract contains polyphenols and anthocyanins, which are believed to ease joint inflammation and prevent joint damage. It's also rich in vitamin C, which has antioxidant properties.
How long does rose hip syrup last? ›
Use within 4 months and refrigerate once opened.
What happened to Delrosa rosehip syrup? ›
For many years after the war, Delrosa brand Rose Hip Syrup was supplied along with Delrosa Orange for babies, through baby clinics throughout the UK. Although Delrosa rosehip syrup is no longer available in the UK it is still going strong in the US and Australia.
What does rosehip pair well with? ›
The fruity, tangy and toffee notes of rose hips complement orange, lemon, lime, rhubarb, apple, pear, mint, cardamom, ginger, vanilla, brown sugar and honey.
Who should avoid rose hips? ›
You may not be able to safely take rosehip if you have:
- Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency.
- Hemochromatosis.
- Sickle cell disease.
- Sideroblastic anemia.
- Thalassemia.
Side effects of rose hip
The most common side effects are digestive upset, including nausea, stomach cramps or pain, and diarrhea. Theoretically, the high vitamin C content in rose hips could lead to kidney stones. Your body converts vitamin C to oxalate, and high doses can cause calcium oxalate stones.
What are the disadvantages of rose syrup? ›
It has some side effects such as Allergic rejection,Abdominal cramps,Bitter taste in the mouth,Black stools.
Do you refrigerate rose syrup? ›
Do you need to refrigerate the syrup once it's opened? Yes! It's okay to leave on the kitchen counter during a party. Just stick the bottle in the refrigerator overnight.
Is rosehip syrup good for arthritis? ›
In addition to offering benefits for patients with osteoarthritis, rosehip may offer benefits in other conditions such as back pain and rheumatoid arthritis. A 1 year surveillance of 152 patients found that rosehip provided significant pain relief for patients with acute exacerbations of chronic back pain.
The history of rosehip syrup
During the war, government scientists realised that, weight for weight, rosehips have over 20 times the vitamin C of oranges. So the Ministry of Food recommended rosehip syrup and a generation of children began receiving a daily dose.
Why is my rosehip syrup cloudy? ›
Don't be tempted to squeeze the liquid out of the fruit as this will cause the syrup to become cloudy. When all the liquid has passed through the bag, put it into a clean pan, bring to the boil and reduce it to about 2½ pints (1.5l).
What are the benefits of drinking rose syrup? ›
Rose syrup makes for an ultra-refreshing drink in summer. Have with cool water for an instant pick me up, or try rose syrup milkshake to ease acidity and relax your mind. Toss in some almonds for extra richness and nutrition. Rose syrup detoxifies the blood and helps regulate bowel movements.
What Cannot be mixed with rosehip oil? ›
However, be cautious when using products containing retinol or other strong actives, as combining them with rosehip oil without proper knowledge can cause irritation. It's often advisable to do a patch test or consult with a dermatologist when introducing new products into your skincare routine.
When should you pick rosehips? ›
After the first frost of the year, the rose hips will ripen. Once the petals have dropped off, the hip is ready for picking. They should be red in colour and soft to the touch. Don't pick the shrivelled ones.
Can you eat rose hips raw? ›
Rose hips are used in bread and pies, jam, jelly, marmalade, syrup, soup, tea, wine, and other beverages. Rose hips can be eaten raw, like berries, if care is taken to avoid the hairs inside the fruit.
Does rosehip help with weight loss? ›
The scientists found that the rosehip group demonstrated significant weight loss when compared to the control group. Furthermore, the evidence suggests that much of this weight loss was as a result of fat burning. Overall body fat fell during the trial, but was particularly pronounced in the abdominal region.
Can I use rosehip daily? ›
To sum it up, rosehip oil has many benefits for your skin, hair, and health in general. Its rich mix of essential fatty acids and vitamins makes it great for hydration, anti-ageing, and skin treatment. By using rosehip oil daily, you may keep your hair and skin healthy while enjoying its many benefits.
When should I use rosehip on my face? ›
Rosehip oil can be applied both in the morning and at night, depending on your skin's needs and your skincare routine. For daytime use, because rosehip oil is lightweight and absorbs quickly, it can be a good hydrating step before applying sunscreen and makeup.
