HIBISCUS FIRE CIDER TONIC. There are many different ways to make fire cider! This recipe contains dried hibiscus flowers, lots of citrus, and peppers to make a powerful citrusy tonic with a beautiful purple hue, jam-packed with vitamin C! It’s tasty, tangy, sweet, with a bit of heat!
There are many different ways to make fire cider. While the base of the simplest recipe is apple cider vinegar, horseradish, garlic, onion, and herbs, there are tons of variations and ingredients you can add to make a super unique and delicious combination! I am a huge fan of hibiscus, so I decided to take my Hibiscus Citrus Ginger Tea and Homemade Fire Cider Recipe to create this Hibiscus Citrus Fire Cider Tonic.
Hibiscus sabdariffa (HS) is high in antioxidants such as beta-carotene, vitamin C and anthocyanin, and also has numerous properties that help reduce inflammation, lower blood sugar, promote weight loss, and support liver health. Coupled with apple cider vinegar, horseradish, lemon, citrus, and herbs, the hibiscus fire cider is powerfully nutritious!
Watch How Easy It Is To Make Fire Cider Tonic!
Fire Cider packs a ton of benefits and can be taken daily to boost your immune system and prevent the onset of a cold or flu. It has antiviral, antibacterial, and antifungal properties. If you do happen to get sick, fire cider is a great natural remedy to help flush toxins out of the body, break up phlegm, and alleviate congestion. Check out my homemade fire cider post to learn more about the benefits each ingredient offers!
Ingredients You Will Need
- CITRUS: Orange, Grapefruit, Lemon
- ROOT VEGETABLES: Horseradish, Ginger, Turmeric
- GARLIC, ONION, PEPPERS: I like to use jalapenos and habanero peppers. You can sub with ground cayenne or dried chiles
- HERBS: Rosemary and Thyme
- APPLE CIDER VINEGAR: Make sure to use raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (at least 5% acidity) enough to cover all the ingredients
Recipe Variations
There are so many different ingredients you can add to your fire cider to experiment and make it your own! Here are a few ideas:
- Fresh or Dried Herbs
- Star Anise Pods, Allspice, Cloves, Cinnamon Sticks, Black Peppercorns
- Dried Citrus Peels (like dried orange or lemon peel)
- Fresh Hot Peppers (like cayenne, habanero, or serrano)
- Dried Peppers (like dried black chile peppers, ancho, pasillo, guajillo)
- Pomegranates, cranberries, elderberries, black currants
How To Make Fire Cider
Fill a mason jar with dried hibiscus, sliced citrus, grated root vegetables, chopped garlic, onions, peppers, and herbs. Cover it all with apple cider vinegar. Seal your cap tightly, placing a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap to cover the metal of the lid. Shake the jar to combine the ingredients and store the jar in a dark, cool place for up to 4 weeks. Shake daily. After three to four weeks, strain the liquid into a clean jar. Stir in honey if desired. Enjoy 1-2 tablespoons daily!
How much fire cider to take daily?
Take 1/2 tablespoon to 2 tablespoons daily. You can take a shot or mix it into a glass or warm water. Some people enjoy mixing it into tomato or vegetable juice. Take 1 tablespoon, three to four times a day for cold or flu relief.
How long does homemade fire cider keep?
Stored in a cool, dark place, fire cider can last from 6 months up to 18 months. It is generally best to consume within 12 months.
Unique ways to use fire cider
- USE TO MAKE SALAD DRESSING. If a recipe calls for vinegar, use your fire cider instead.
- USE AS A SEASONING FOR VEGGIES. Add a couple tablespoons of fire cider when sauteing or roasting your vegetables to zest them up.
- ADD TO YOUR FAVORITE TEA. This is especially helpful when you have a cold or are feeling under the weather.
- USE TO PICKLE VEGETABLES. Instead of using plain vinegar, use your fire tonic to make tasty pickled onions, veggies, peppers, and pickles.
- ADD TO CHILI, SOUPS, BONE BROTHS AND STEWS. Drizzle a tablespoon into your favorite soups, stews, and chili.
What to do with leftover herbs and vegetables after making fire cider?
Once you strain the liquid into a clean jar, you can use the remaining spent herbs and vegetables in a variety of ways. Instead of discarding or composting, try repurposing them! Here are a few ideas:
- MAKE A SAUCE. Puree into a sauce and enjoy a zesty dip or sauce. Enjoy the sauce on your favorite veggies or cooked fish/meat.
- MAKE A MARINADE. Blend the remains and use it to marinate chicken, steak, or fish.
- MAKE A SPICY MUSTARD. Blend the ingredients, then add honey to make a spicy mustard.
- MAKE A CHUTNEY. Blend the ingredients into a chunky mixture, and add a splash of fire tonic if the mixture is too dry. Leave as is or incorporate your favorite dried fruits and nuts to make a tasty chutney.
What are some ways you use your fire cider? Let us know in the comments below!
If you try this Hibiscus Fire Cider Tonic, 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.
Hibiscus Fire Cider Tonic
Equipment
- 1 quart-sized Mason Jar with lid or canning jar
Ingredients
- 1 Organic Orange, thinly sliced
- 1 Organic Grapefruit, thinly sliced
- 1 Organic Lemon, thinly sliced
- 1 Onion, chopped
- 1/2 cup Dried Hibiscus Roselles
- 2 tbsp Turmeric Powder (or 1/4 cup grated turmeric)
- 10 Garlic Cloves, chopped
- 3/4 cup Grated Horseradish
- 3/4 cup Grated Ginger
- 2 Sprigs Rosemary
- 5 Sprigs Thyme
- 2 Jalapenos, sliced
- 1 Habanero Pepper, sliced optional
- 2-3 cups Raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar (at least 5% acidity) enough to cover all the ingredients
To Sweeten
- 1 cup Honey or Maple Syrup (for vegan-friendly option) optional
Instructions
- Place the vegetables, fruits, herbs, peppers, and spices in a clean one-quart jar. Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar. The apple cider vinegar should cover the herbs by an inch or two. Seal your cap tightly. If you cap your jar with a lid containing metal parts, screw the lid on over a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap to keep the lid from corroding.
- 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 and transfer into a clean jar.
- 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 6 to 12 months. Enjoy 1-2 tablespoons daily or use the fire tonic when cooking!
