Check out my new cookbook! →
Home Recipe Index Meal Type Drinks Homemade Fire Cider Chromium Picolinate
This post may include affiliate links. Thank you for your support.
How to make fire cider, a fiery tonic made with fresh horseradish, ginger, garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar and honey.
Ever heard of fire cider? It’s an immune-boosting tonic that’s been used for decades to naturally protect against cold and flu and ease sinus congestion. How cool is that?! And with cold and flu season in full swing I’ll take all the immune-boosting things I can get my hands on!
“This is so delicious I want to chug the whole jar! I have tried fire cider once in the past and wanted to try and make it myself. I will be making this again for sure.” – Andrea
The base recipe includes horseradish, ginger, garlic, onions, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar, but don’t let that scare you! The last step before drinking is to add honey and any other flavors to sweeten/balance to your liking.
So why would you want to choke this down down? First of all, this stuff is liquid gold and actually quite tasty! Isaac and I have grown to crave the stuff. It’s an amazing balance of spicy, sour, sweet, sharp, herbal — basically every flavor I can describe.
Fire cider is like a trusty old friend from the herbal world, packed with ingredients like fresh garlic, ginger and turmeric that give your immune system a good boost!
This recipe might feel like a new wave in the ocean of natural remedies, but its roots actually trace back to the old-world traditions of herbal healing. This pungent, spicy tonic is a legacy of the past, born from the hands of wise herbalists who believed in the power of nature’s pantry. Its modern journey started in the 1970s, thanks to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, a renowned name in the herbal community. She brought fire cider into the limelight, teaching her students at the California School of Herbal Studies about its fiery benefits and immune-boosting properties.
Today, fire cider stands as a symbol of herbal tradition, a concoction that seamlessly blends the old with the new. It’s a recipe that’s been lovingly tweaked over the years but still holds the essence of its original intent – a natural, potent aid for wellness.
Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list! You probably already have a lot of these ingredients in your kitchen and the rest you can find at most any grocery store!
Step 1: Add ginger, horseradish, onion, garlic, jalapeño peppers, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, turmeric and cayenne powder to a quart-sized mason jar or similar size jar. Pour apple cider vinegar in the jar until all the ingredients are fully covered and the vinegar reaches the top of the jar. Cover and and shake the jar to combine all the ingredients. Store in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks, remembering to shake the jar a few seconds every day.
Step 2: After one month, use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain out the solids, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can. This stuff is liquid gold! Add honey to the liquid and stir until incorporated. Taste your fire cider and add more honey if needed until you reach your desired sweetness.
Beyond the flavor, it’s packed with numerous health benefits (hence why it’s called a folk remedy). I swear by it as an immune booster and drink extra when I’m starting to feel like I’m coming down with something. Here are some of the many health benefits of fire cider:
There are soooo many ways to enjoy this immune-boosting elixir. I’m excited to make my way through this list!
While the main ingredients we’re using all possess plenty of health benefits, that doesn’t mean you can’t switch the ingredients up for something else that suits your taste buds. Here are some ideas:
Once you’ve made your batch of fire cider, storing it properly is key to preserving its potency and flavor. After straining, transfer it to a clean, airtight glass container. Mason jars or glass bottles with secure lids work perfectly.
It can be stored either at room temperature (just make sure it’s in a cool, dark place away from the sun) or in the refrigerator. Fire cider should last about 6 months at room temperature and up to 1 year in the fridge. Before each use, give the fire cider a good shake. This helps redistribute all the flavors and ingredients that may have settled at the bottom.
Tip! I recommend labeling your fire cider with the date you made it to keep track of how old it is.
Typically, fire cider should infuse for 4-6 weeks. The longer it sits, the more potent the flavors become.
Yes, you can use the strained solids in cooking. They’re great added to stir-fries, soups or even as a spicy condiment.
Fire cider is generally safe, but those with certain health conditions, pregnant women, or individuals on specific medications should consult a healthcare provider before use (source).
Many people take a small amount daily as a preventative tonic, but it’s always best to listen to your body and adjust as needed.
There’s no specific best time of the day to take fire cider. Some prefer it in the morning for an energizing start, while others take it with meals for digestive benefits.
It’s not recommended to drink fire cider on an empty stomach due to its high acidity and spice level.
It should be just fine! It might just be messy/sticky to strain.
It’s recommended, but not required to shake it daily. I’d just make sure to shake it up every few days or at least once a week to ensure that the ingredients get distributed evenly throughout the tonic.
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Dairy Free Diet Preference Drinks Fall Recipes Gluten-Free How To Recipes Meal Type Recipe Vegan Vegetarian Winter Recipes
Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!
Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *
I plan to make this for the cold and flu season but have just come down with a bug already and wondered if you could share any clean or organic brand I can purchase since currently I need to start it today! Thanks
Hi JoAnn – Sorry to hear that you’re under the weather, check out all of my favorites for cold and flu season HERE.
Where do you get the Horseradish? I live in Richmond, so you could recommend a local store! Thanks for all of your great recipes!
Hi Kim – You can get fresh horseradish as most any grocery store, Whole Foods always has a great selection. It’ll be in the produce section. Hope that helps!
Do you need to use organic for the veggies?
I would recommend it, but you don’t have to. Fresh is best for optimal results though. Hope you enjoy!
Hey there, I’m Brittany, the creator of Eating Bird Food, cookbook author, health coach and mama of two littles. Here you’ll find quick and easy recipes that make healthy fun and enjoyable for you and your family!
Over 100 plant-focused recipes that prioritize fruits & veggies, whole grains and plant-based proteins, stunning photos, lots of gluten-free and egg-free options, and easy meal prep instructions!
©2023 Eating Bird Food. All rights reserved. Privacy Policy • Powered by CultivateWP.
Terabutylammomium Iodide Sign up to get 5 days of easy and healthy treat recipes to enjoy during the holiday season.