Homemade Fire Cider Recipe: A spicy, pungent, herbal tonic with a sweet glow. Drink it each morning to enjoy its health-boosting effects or get creative and explore the many ways to use fire cider shared in the post! Fire Cider Tonic is an age-old remedy that is popular in the herbal community, especially popular during flu season. Learn more about this magical tonic and how easy it is to make!
We are obsessed with immune-boosting remedies! If you are too, you’ll definitely want to check out our Homemade Elderberry Syrup, Cold-Fighting Apple Ginger Tea, Homemade Sea Moss Gel, or Elderberry Sea Moss Gummies next! For a citrusy sweet fire tonic, try our Hibiscus Citrus Fire Cider Recipe.
Best Fire Cider Recipe!
There is an age-old saying, “An apple a day keeps the doctor away.” I think the phrase should be: “A shot of fire cider tonic a day keeps the doctor AND sickness away!”. I’ve gotten used to taking a shot of fire cider daily over the years and love how it tastes and makes my body feel! Some people like to take a shot of apple cider vinegar or eat ACV gummies each day, but I prefer fire tonic because it’s made with apple cider vinegar AND a ton of health-enhancing ingredients.
What Is Fire Cider?
Fire Cider is a herbal health tonic and folk remedy that helps boost your immune system, improve digestion, and prevent a cold or flu. It is a mixture of horseradish, turmeric, garlic, oranges, ginger, herbs, and peppers all fermented in apple cider vinegar. It was first popularized in the 1970s by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar and since has become a popular remedy used for generations!
Health Benefits of Fire Cider
- Apple Cider Vinegar contains antimicrobial properties, which help kill bacteria and help lower blood sugar.
- Horseradish is naturally rich in antioxidants and helps reduce inflammation and improve respiratory health (especially when fighting a sinus infection).
- Hot peppers contain capsicum which is high in vitamin C and iron and works to reduce inflammation, aid in weight loss, improve blood circulation, and improve bone health.
- Ginger contains gingerol, which has powerful medicinal properties. It’s packed with anti-bacterial properties that kill germs, and antioxidants that help alleviate nausea, reduce stomach pain, and reduce inflammation.
- Cinnamon has an array of benefits and is commonly used in Traditional Chinese Medicine. It contains anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal properties that help fight illness and disease.
- Honey has high anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antioxidant properties. It is great for improving digestive issues, soothing sore throats, and killing bacteria in the body.
Ingredients You Will Need:
- Apple Cider Vinegar: This is the base for the tonic. Make sure to use enough to cover all the ingredients, otherwise, the mixture will spoil.
- Fresh Horseradish: Use freshly grated and peeled horseradish. I like to slice a few pieces into dials to line the outside of the jar for a cool aesthetic look. (Keep in mind, that horseradish has a sharp, pungent smell that can potentially make your eyes water, especially when grated.)
- Ginger and Turmeric: Grate or slice it into dials. There is no need to peel the skin.
- Onion and Garlic: One onion is needed and about 1 whole garlic bulb.
- Orange and Lemon: Leave on the skin and slice.
- Hot Peppers: Any hot papers will work. Jalapeños work great. You can also use cayenne pepper.
- Fresh Herbs: Use fresh rosemary and thyme or a mixture of any of your favorite herbs.
- Cinnamon Sticks and Whole Black Peppercorns: Do not grind the spices. Add them to the mixture whole.
- Raw Honey: Once the mixture has fermented for about 3-4 weeks, strain it and sweeten it with honey to your liking.
How To Make Fire Cider
- Grate the horseradish. Add it to a 1.5-2 qt sized jar along with the sliced ginger, turmeric, jalapenos, onion, orange, lemon, and garlic. Then, add the fresh herbs, cinnamon sticks, and peppercorns.
- Pour the apple cider vinegar into the jar, making sure all the ingredients are fully covered. Add more ACV as needed to cover the ingredients (this prevents the ingredients from spoiling).
- Seal the jar. Use a piece of parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid if you have one.
- Shake the jar to combine the ingredients and store the jar in a dark, cool place for up to 4 weeks. Remember to shake the jar once daily to mix the ingredients.
- After a month, use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain out the pulp and solid ingredients. Squeeze as much liquid out of the ingredients as you can.
- Stir in the honey until it is incorporated. Taste and add more honey to reach your desired sweetness.
- Store sealed in an airtight jar. Keep in the refrigerator or in a dry, cool place for up to 6 months.
- Enjoy 1-2 tablespoons daily or use the fire tonic when cooking!
Ways To Use Fire Cider?
The most common way to use fire cider tonic is to drink 1-2 tablespoons each morning. You can sweeten it with a bit of honey before drinking it (which makes it super tasty!) or dilute it with water or juice. There are many other ways you can enjoy fire cider! Try to:
- Cook With Fire Cider: Add it to your sauteed vegetables, fried rice, or cauliflower rice
- Make Salad Dressing: When a salad dressing calls for vinegar, like this orange vinaigrette, use your fire tonic instead. Or make a simple vinaigrette by mixing fire tonic, olive oil, dijon mustard, and a bit of honey!
- Use it as a marinade: It is perfect for marinating meat, fish, tofu, or whatever you like.
- Add it to your soup or chili for a little extra zest. This White Bean Quinoa Chili would be great!
- Serve with crispy baked potatoes like these sweet potato fries or accordion potatoes.
- Use it when creating sauces: This fire cider recipe would work fantastic in my homemade barbecue sauce recipe!
- Use the leftover veggies and herbs as a marinade, like in this Fire Cider Marinated Chicken Recipe –it is perfect for the grill or stovetop!
How long does homemade fire cider last?
Because fire cider is essentially infused vinegar, once strained, it can last in the refrigerator or dry cool place for up to six months.
How often should you take fire cider?
The daily recommendation is 1/2 tablespoons to 2 tablespoons per day to reap the benefits. It is best to take fire cider on its own, but you can also add honey or dilute it with water to make it more palatable.
Should fire cider be refrigerated?
You can store your fire cire tonic in the fridge for several months. However, because fire cider is preserved in apple cider vinegar it is completely shelf-stable and can be stored in a cool, dark pantry.
How to sterilize glass jars before making your tonic
If you would like to take the extra step and sterilize, you can wash them thoroughly with soap and water. Allow them to dry on a clean towel. Then place on an oven-safe tray at 275°F for ten minutes. You can sterilize the metal lids by placing them in boiling water for 10 minutes. Then, place them on a clean towel to dry.
I hope you enjoy this Homemade Fire Cider Recipe!
If you try the recipe, don’t forget to rate the recipe and let me know what you think in the comments. Leave a quick review & star rating ★ below! Take pictures, tag #goodfoodbaddie, and share them with me on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.
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Best Homemade Fire Cider Recipe
Equipment
- 2 quart-sized Mason Jar with lid or canning jar
Ingredients
- 3 cups Organic Raw Unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar plus more as needed to cover the ingredients
- 7 oz Fresh Horseradish, grated or roughly chopped approximately 1 cup
- 7 oz Fresh Ginger, grated or roughly chopped approximately 1 cup
- 2 oz Fresh Turmeric, grated or roughly chopped approximately 1/4 cup (can sub 1 tbsp turmeric powder)
- 1 Medium Onion, chopped
- 10 Garlic Cloves, crushed or chopped
- 1 Lemon, sliced
- 1 Orange, sliced
- 2-3 Jalapeño Peppers, sliced or 1/4 – 1/2 tsp organic cayenne powder
- 3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 3 Sprigs of Fresh Rosemary approximately 0.1oz
- 6 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme approximately 0.1oz
- 1 tsp Peppercorn optional
Sweeten Once Fire Cider Has Fermented And Is Ready To Use
- 1/2 cup honey, plus more as desired
Instructions
- Peel and grate the horseradish. Add it to a 1.5-2 qt sized jar along with the sliced ginger, turmeric, jalapenos, onion, orange, lemon, and garlic. Then, add the fresh herbs, cinnamon sticks, and peppercorns.
- Pour the apple cider vinegar into the jar, making sure all the ingredients are fully covered. Add as much ACV as needed to cover the ingredients (this prevents the ingredients from spoiling).
- Seal the jar. Use a piece of parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid if you have one.
- Shake the jar to combine the ingredients and store the jar in a dark, cool place for up to 4 weeks. Remember to shake the jar once daily to mix the ingredients. (I like to store the jar in the pantry where I can see it daily and remember to shake it)
- After three to four weeks, use a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain out the pulp and solid ingredients. Squeeze as much liquid out of the ingredients as you can.
- Stir in the honey until it is incorporated. Taste and add more honey to reach your desired sweetness. Your fire cider should taste hot, spicy, and sweet.
- Store sealed in an airtight jar. Keep in the refrigerator or in a dry, cool place for up to 6 months. Enjoy 1-2 tablespoons daily or use the fire tonic when cooking!
Video
Notes
- Enjoy a tablespoon or two a day, or when you feel you are coming down with a cold.
I made fire cider for the first time! After 4 week around this super blue full moon, I bottled it up in 2 medium sized Mason jars! I tried some just some to see if it was OK and ohhhh man. I wanna drink the whole thing now!!! It’s amazing! Only thing I did different was sub orange for grapefruit as that’s what I had on hand and the first day made it with powdered turmeric but next day added fresh… so versatile!
I’m very sensitive to spicy. Would it be okay to leave out the peppers and horseradish?
You can certainly leave out the jalapenos. I am not sure you would get the same benefits without the horseradish as it is one of the most vital components. But of course you can customize the recipe to suit your taste.
Love it! I didn’t follow the measurement but it came out great anyway 😊
I am so glad you like! Thanks for leaving a comment?
Hey there, I’m wondering if it would be ok to store in fridge and leave the ingredients in the bottle/jar (not strain) until we’ve drunk all the fire tonic?
Hi Jules! I would recommend straining it before storing it in the fridge. It should last up to six months
made this last month and just got to taste it now. im so surprised just how good this tastes! not super spicy at all and quite a nice flavor. ill definitely be making more when i need a new jar full!
That’s great! I an glad you enjoy the recipe! 🙂
Hi there, should I peel the orange and lemon?
Hi, leave on the peel.
I’d love to try this. When the process is finished and the liquid squeezed out, how much does it make?
Hi Helen, it makes about 4 to 5+ cups of fire cider, depending on how much apple cider vinegar you add.
I put the honey with everything instead of waiting 4 weeks will it go bad?
HI Colette, it should be just fine. You will have a bit of fermented honey, which offers its own benefits.
I made this on Sunday. Today is Thursday, four days brewing, and the garlic is turning green. Is it molding? It is chopped, not minced. It is brewing in nothing but Braggs apple cider vinegar as the recipe calls for. I’m just concerned as well as confused. When I make pickles I use apple cider vinegar with garlic and it has never done this. Any suggestions??
Hi Sherry, it is perfectly safe and normal. It is a natural reaction. You can search for ‘garlic in vinegar turns green’ to learn more about it.
Can you reuse the ingredients, after you strain the juice out, to make another batch?
Hi Edith, it is best to use fresh ingredients to make another batch.