Homemade Fire Cider Recipe - Good Food Baddie (2024)

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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 ourHomemade Elderberry Syrup,Cold-Fighting Apple Ginger Tea,Homemade Sea Moss Gel, orElderberry Sea Moss Gummiesnext!

Homemade Fire Cider Recipe - Good Food Baddie (1)

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 vinegarANDa ton of health-enhancing ingredients.

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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 byherbalist Rosemary Gladstarand 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.
  • Gingercontainsgingerol, 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.
  • Cinnamonhas 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.
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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.
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How To Make Fire Cider

  1. 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.
  2. 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).
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. 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.
  6. Stir in the honey until it is incorporated. Taste and add more honey to reach your desired sweetness.
  7. Store sealed in an airtight jar. Keep in the refrigerator or in a dry, cool place for up to 6 months.
  8. Enjoy 1-2 tablespoons daily or use the fire tonic when cooking!
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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!
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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.

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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 onInstagram,Facebook, andPinterest! I love seeing my recipes come to life in your kitchen.

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Best Homemade Fire Cider Recipe

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 popular in the herbal community, and especially popular during flu season. Learn more about this magical tonic and how easy it is to make!

4.83 from 175 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Tonic

Cuisine: Healthy Options

Prep Time: 20 minutes minutes

28 days days

Total Time: 28 days days 20 minutes minutes

Servings: 1.5 quart

Calories: 18kcal

Author: Capri Lilly

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!

Notes

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.

  • Enjoy a tablespoon or two a day, or when you feel you are coming down with a cold.

Recipe inspired and adapted from Rosemary Gladstar Fire Cider Cookbook.

goodfoodbaddie.com offers nutritional information for recipes contained on this site. This information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. To obtain the most accurate representation of the nutritional information in any given recipe, you should calculate the nutritional information with the actual ingredients you used to make the recipe. For more information read our Nutritional Disclaimer.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 18kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Sodium: 10mg | Potassium: 31mg | Sugar: 3g | Calcium: 8mg

Homemade Fire Cider Recipe - Good Food Baddie (2024)

FAQs

Does homemade fire cider go bad? ›

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.

Why did fire cider go out of business? ›

Two years ago, the co-op discontinued Fire Cider made by Shire City Herbals because of the legal action they had taken against community herbalists for using a traditional remedy and term.

Is fire cider good for weight loss? ›

But these days, many people turn to fire cider because they believe it will help them lose weight — mostly because of the belief that apple cider vinegar can curb your appetite and help your body burn fat. But there's just not enough evidence to show that it can do that.

Can fire cider upset your stomach? ›

There is no information to suggest that drinking fire cider has any health advantages, and there are no known concerns either. However, some of its ingredients may have negative side effects. Because ACV is so acidic, it could irritate the stomach or exacerbate acid reflux.

Can you drink too much fire cider? ›

BUT, be careful. "The spices and herbs are fine, but the apple cider vinegar can cause problems if too much is consumed. Apple cider vinegar is very acidic, which can be bad for your teeth, your GI tract, and your throat if you have too much of it," Dr. Ian warns.

Do you have to shake fire cider every day? ›

Place in a warm spot and let sit for 3 to 4 weeks, shaking every day to help in the maceration process. Strain out the solids, reserving the liquid. Warm the honey enough to mix well with the vinegar and add to taste. The fire cider should be hot, spicy and sweet.

How do you know if fire cider is bad? ›

Identifying Spoiled Ciders
  1. Changes in color.
  2. Off smells.
  3. Unusual flavors.
  4. Excessive fizziness or lack thereof.

Who sued over fire cider? ›

The next year, Shire City fired back with a trademark infringement lawsuit against Blue, Langlier, and Wildflower School of Botanical Medicine director Nicole Telkes and sought a declaratory judgment to validate its ownership of the Fire Cider name.

Why did my fire cider turn green? ›

It may feel alarming if you notice your fire cider turning rainbow colors like green and blue. Rest assured, this is totally normal! What you are noticing is an enzymatic reaction between compounds in the garlic and acid in the vinegar.

Should fire cider be refrigerated? ›

Does Fire Cider Have to be Refrigerated? Fire cider contains vinegar and honey, two ingredients often used to preserve other foods. It's safe to keep in the pantry for several months (in a tightly sealed jar), but it will last even longer if stored in the fridge.

How long does homemade fire cider last? ›

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.

How long does homemade fire cider keep? ›

Well, if you can keep from drinking it all right away, fire cider can last for up to 18 months in a cool, dark cupboard, but may darken over time. I like to use mine within 12 months, and create a fresh batch in the late summer/fall.

Is fire cider bad for your teeth? ›

Another potential concern is how acidic fire cider is. Acidic drinks may damage tooth enamel and should be consumed in moderation. Talk to your healthcare provider to see if you have any conditions or take medications that could be affected by fire cider's ingredients.

Is fire cider anti inflammatory? ›

Fire Cider is anti-viral, anti-bacterial, and anti-fungal, and it's a great decongestant. Fire Cider also supports digestion and is anti-inflammatory.

How much fire cider can I take a day? ›

Fire Cider Dosage

Take a shot of fire cider or 1-2 tablespoons daily for a potent punch of immune system support and increase that dosage to 3 times a day to use it as a natural remedy to help fight off common cold symptoms.

How long does homemade cider last? ›

While hard cider can be aged for years, it becomes drier as time passes, and the general shelf-life of cider is considered to be a year or two.

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