How to Make Sauerkraut at Home | Simple Fermentation Recipe
Few traditional tonics have a story as rich as Fire Cider. This zesty blend of apple cider vinegar, herbs, and spices has been appreciated for generations as a comforting part of seasonal routines. Many people enjoy keeping a jar on hand to incorporate into their daily wellness rituals, especially in winter. It's a timeless recipe that celebrates the connection between kitchen and home apothecary. Similar to my Kombucha that's been going strong for over a year now.
It's hard to believe I hadn't shared this sooner, but this year I'm finally bottling up one of my favorite traditional tonics, Fire Cider. After years of exploring folk remedies and seasonal herbal blends, this fiery infusion feels right at home alongside the herbal vinegars and kitchen tonics I've shared here.
Here are a few of my favorites:
My Secret Sauce of Vitamins & Supplements for Wellness All Winter
This website has always been where I pour my heart into sharing time-tested, from-scratch recipes and traditional home remedies, and your encouragement keeps me inspired.
This winter, I'm excited to add Fire Cider to the mix. It's a longtime favorite in the world of herbal tonics, known for its bold flavor and versatility. Even after years of making vinegars and tonics, this one feels special, another way to bring old-fashioned seasonal traditions into our modern kitchen.
Jump to:
The Story of Fire Cider
Fire Cider's roots reach back centuries, woven through folk traditions around the world. Its most familiar form, however, took shape in New England, where early herbalists crafted it during the colder months as a warming tonic made from vinegar, herbs, and spices. This blend of bold ingredients was designed to bring heat and vitality when winter set in.
Interest in Fire Cider grew alongside the natural living movement of the late 20th century, as more people began exploring traditional herbal recipes and homemade tonics. With the rise of the internet, its revival blossomed. Blogs, books, and herbal communities shared countless variations, celebrating its flavor and heritage.
More recently, Fire Cider even became the focus of a trademark dispute that united herbalists across the country to preserve its traditional name and legacy. From its humble beginnings to its modern-day revival, Fire Cider continues to represent the heart of folk craft and seasonal kitchen wisdom, reminding us how powerful and enduring simple, homemade traditions can be.
Why Fire Cider: What Makes It Special
Flavor with Purpose: Fire Cider brings together bold, aromatic ingredients like garlic, ginger, and onion - a combination long used in traditional kitchens for its depth of flavor and seasonal comfort.
A Kitchen Staple: Made with raw apple cider vinegar and a medley of herbs, it's a tangy infusion that adds brightness to marinades, salad dressings, and even warm drinks.
Naturally Warming: Fresh horseradish, turmeric, and peppers give Fire Cider its signature kick - a cozy, invigorating blend that's especially welcome during the colder months.
Nourishing Tradition: This tonic-style recipe draws on time-honored methods of using whole, natural ingredients to create something both delicious and deeply rooted in heritage.
Crafting Your Own Fire Cider: A Step-by-Step Guide
What you'll need:
- Half gallon jars (the best prices I found for these are at Walmart)
- Plastic lids (Metal will rust because of the vinegar)
- Cheesecloth for straining
- Amber bottles
- Label maker
Ingredients:
- Organic apple cider vinegar
- Organic garlic cloves
- Organic onions
- Organic Cinnamon stick
- Organic ginger root
- Organic horseradish root
- Organic turmeric root
- Organic lemon
- Organic jalapeño peppers
- Organic cranberries, fresh or dried
- Organic peppercorns
- Organic rosemary, fresh or dried
- Raw organic honey
- Star anise
The Importance of Using Organic Ingredients: Using organic ingredients in this recipe ensures that you're getting the purest, most nutrient-dense elements in your fire cider tonic. Organic farming practices prohibit the use of harmful chemicals and pesticides, preserving the integrity of the ingredients.
Method:
Taste Test: After a few weeks, start tasting your Fire Cider. When it reaches the desired potency, you can move on to the next step.
Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and chop all the solid ingredients (garlic, onions, ginger, horseradish, turmeric, lemon, spicy peppers) into small pieces. Wear gloves while handling hot peppers to protect your skin.
Combine Ingredients: Place the chopped ingredients in a clean half-gallon glass jar. I made a double batch, so I used 2 half-gallon jars. Cover the ingredients with organic apple cider vinegar, ensuring they are completely submerged. Each half-gallon used a whole 32oz container of vinegar.
Infuse: Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks.
Shake it Daily: Give your jar a gentle shake every day. This helps distribute the flavors and medicinal properties evenly.
Check for Mold: Occasionally inspect the top surface. If you notice any mold, remove it immediately. Usually, the acidic nature of the vinegar prevents this, but it's good to be cautious.
Transferring and sweetening
Strain and Sweeten: Strain out all the solid ingredients using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth. Squeeze out all the liquid. Then, add your raw organic honey to taste. The amount of honey you use can vary based on personal preference. Generally, start with about ¼ to ½ cup of honey per quart of strained Fire Cider. You can adjust the sweetness to your liking by adding more or less honey. Remember, aside from adding sweetness, honey also contributes all the goodies to your Fire Cider.
Bottle in Amber Glass: Transfer your strained and sweetened Fire Cider into amber glass bottles. Do this because amber glass protects the mixture from light, ensuring it stays potent for longer.
Label and Date: Don't forget to label your bottle with the ingredients and the date it was made. This helps you keep track of its freshness. These bottles can last for up to a year in a cool, dark place. You can also store them in the fridge.
Fire Cider
Ingredients
- 2 - 3 lemons
- 1 - 2 limes
- 1 medium sized ginger root
- 1 - 2 Jalapeños
- 1 - 2 Cayenne peppers
- Horseradish root medium sized
- 1 cup fresh Cranberries or a handful dried
- 1 - 2 oranges
- 5 - 7 garlic cloves
- 2 tablespoon of Rosemary fresh or dried
- 2 teaspoon of turmeric
- 2 tablespoon Black peppercorn
Instructions
- Note on this recipe: You can put a bit more or less of each ingredient as you see fit. It's really hard to do fire cider wrong! There are many different ingredients you can put it, and play with the amounts. Just make sure that at the end it's completly submerged within the vinegar.
- Clean and prepare 2, half gallon glass jars.
- Gather ingredients and slice fruits and veggies thinly to fill bottles. Evenly distrubute ingredients between both jars.
Fill with organic Apple Cider Vinegar: Cover ingredients completely. - Lids: it's best to use non-metallic lids or coverings to prevent the vinegar from corroding the metal. You can use plastic lids or parchment paper between the jar and the metal lid.
- Infuse for 4-6 Weeks: Store in a cool, dark place and shake daily.
- Strain and Sweeten: Start with about ¼ to ½ cup of honey per quart of strained Fire Cider. You can adjust the sweetness as needed.
- Store in Amber Bottles: Store in a cool dark place for up to 6 months to a year. Do a smell and taste test before using.
Notes
- Many people enjoy 1-2 tablespoons occasionally or daily as part of their seasonal routine.
- It is especially popular in the colder months as a bracing, warming sip.
- Straight: Take a small splash in a shot glass if you enjoy a strong, tangy kick.
- Diluted: Mix with water, sparkling water, or herbal tea.
- In Food: Whisk into salad dressings, drizzle into marinades, or add to sauces for brightness.
- Sipping: Start with a small amount, see how you feel, and adjust to your taste and comfort.
Nutrition
Whether you're a seasoned herbalist or a curious beginner, Fire Cider is a fantastic addition to your home arsenal. Its properties, versatility, and rich history make it a remedy worth incorporating into your daily routine. Plus, the process of making your own batch is rewarding and allows you to customize it to your preferences.
As the winter season approaches, having a bottle of Fire Cider on hand can be a comforting way to support yourself naturally. Give it a try, and experience the benefits of this time-honored herbal tonic for yourself!
You may also enjoy:
