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Homemade Fire Cider: Immune Boosting Tonic Recipe

homemade fire cider - featured image

A potent, immune-boosting tonic made with raw apple cider vinegar, horseradish, ginger, turmeric, garlic, and honey. This recipe recreates a beloved herbalist’s version with the perfect balance of spicy, sour, and sweet.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium organic onion, chopped
  • 1 head of organic garlic, cloves peeled and crushed
  • 1 (3-inch) piece of fresh horseradish root, peeled and grated
  • 1 (2-inch) piece of fresh ginger root, peeled and grated
  • 1 (2-inch) piece of fresh turmeric root, peeled and grated
  • 1 jalapeño pepper, sliced (seeds included for extra heat)
  • 1 lemon, sliced
  • 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
  • 1 tablespoon black peppercorns
  • 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper flakes
  • Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (enough to cover all ingredients)
  • 23 tablespoons raw honey, or to taste

Instructions

  1. Wash all produce thoroughly. Roughly chop the onion. Peel and crush the garlic cloves. Slice the lemon into thin rounds. Grate the horseradish, ginger, and turmeric roots. Slice the jalapeño.
  2. Layer everything in a clean 1-quart glass jar. Start with the chopped onion at the bottom. Add the crushed garlic, then the grated horseradish, ginger, and turmeric. Tuck in the lemon slices, jalapeño slices, and rosemary sprigs. Sprinkle in the black peppercorns and cayenne flakes. Do not pack too tightly.
  3. Using a funnel, pour the raw apple cider vinegar over the ingredients until they are completely submerged, covering by at least an inch.
  4. Screw the lid on tightly. Give the jar a good, vigorous shake to mix everything together and release air bubbles.
  5. Label the jar with the date. Store in a cool, dark place (like a pantry) for 4 to 6 weeks. Give it a gentle shake every few days.
  6. After 4 weeks, start tasting it. Once the flavor is to your liking, strain the mixture through a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth into a large bowl or pitcher. Press down on the solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
  7. Pour the strained liquid back into a clean jar or bottle. Add the raw honey, starting with 2 tablespoons. Stir or shake well to dissolve. Taste and add more honey if desired.
  8. Seal the bottle and store in the refrigerator. It will keep for at least 6 months.

Notes

Use raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar with the ‘mother’ for best flavor and probiotic benefits. Grate the roots (horseradish, ginger, turmeric) rather than chopping for a more potent infusion. Turmeric will stain surfaces and hands; wear an apron and use a baking soda paste to remove stains. Be patient with the steep time—4-6 weeks is ideal for full flavor development. The strained solids can be used to make a spicy relish or added to salad dressings.

Nutrition

Keywords: fire cider, immune booster, wellness tonic, apple cider vinegar, homemade, natural remedy, cold and flu, herbal tonic