Shagbark Hickory Syrup Recipe

Shagbark Hickory is an amazing, beautiful hardwood tree that grows native in many parts of North America.

The bark from the tree has been used medicinally for thousands of years.

Roasted Shagbark Hickory Syrup Recipe

This is a very simple recipe with a lot of flexibility, so feel free to modify it as you see fit to make the syrup stronger or milder.

1. Break up the Shagbark Hickory bark into pieces small enough that they can fit inside the cookware and pot you will use to bake and boil the bark.
2. Place a handful of bark in an oven-safe glass pan and bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 minutes.
3. After the bark has been roasted in the oven, place it in a quart of cold water and boil it for 30 minutes.
4. Strain the hot tea, removing any pieces of bark.
5. Pour the hot tea back into a pot and add equal amounts of sugar to the tea (you’re aiming for a 1:1 ratio of sugar to liquid to make a simple syrup).
6. Continue cooking the tea on medium-low heat while stirring it thoroughly until all the sugar is dissolved.
7. Let the Shagbark Hickory Syrup cool off for a few hours before placing it in the refrigerator for long-term storage.

What does Shagbark Hickory Syrup taste like?

The syrup tastes very sweet with a hint of smoked hickory flavor. You can make your syrup stronger by roasting the bark longer, by using more bark to make the tea, and/or by brewing the tea for even longer.

How do you use Shagbark Hickory Syrup?

We use the syrup for everything you would use Maple Syrup for: on pancakes, in teas, in baking recipes as a sweetener, and on top of desserts and fruits when you want extra sweetness and flavor.

How long will Shagbark Hickory Syrup last?

The syrup should stay free of mold for up to a year in the refrigerator assuming you don’t eat it all by then.