Fire Cider Recipe

Have you ever heard of Fire Cider? The name sounds ominous, but it’s a tonic that uses simple ingredients that are known to support health.

Fire Cider was commonly used in folk medicine as an immune-supporting elixir, but in the late 70’s and early 80’s, famed herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar brought the remedy out of folk culture to modern consciousness as a simple recipe to help boost immune systems fight cold and flus.

Like many recipes Fire Cider can be modified to fit your tastes or your health needs, echinacea, cinnamon and turmeric are all great additions to your Fire Cider. To get started you will need the basic ingredients; apple cider vinegar (organic and 5%) , horseradish, ginger, garlic, honey onion and lastly something spicy. I’ve used habanero peppers in our recipe but cayenne pepper or jalapeños work fine.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup peeled and diced Garlic -has broad-spectrum antimicrobial and antibacterial properties and is an excellent aid for fighting infection and combat the common cold... Garlic great for warding off vampires
• ½ cup peeled and diced Horseradish -has many health uses but for the purpose of this recipe it’s included as it’s great at alleviating respiratory conditions (clearing your sinuses) which is perfect for cold and flu season.
• 1 small onion diced or about ½ cup of red or yellow Onion - are in the garlic family and have many similar properties to garlic.
• 1/2 cup peeled and diced Ginger - is high in antioxidants and increasing blood circulation. Ginger aids digestion and upset stomach as well as fighting infection. It’s a very potent herb.
• 1-2 Habanero Chile (depending on your comfort with spice) - Nothing like something a little spicy to get the blood flowing. Habanero peppers contain a high concentration of vitamins, minerals and help your immune system. If you’re not into habanero peppers,jalapeños and green peppers are in the same family with the same benefits and are less spicy.
• 1 Orange, quartered and thinly sliced crosswise - yay for vitamin C!
• 1 Lemon (I love lemons, so I added a whole one but ½ a lemon would work great) - did you know lemons actually contains much more vitamin C than an orange?
• 1/2 cup chopped Parsley
• 3 sprigs of Rosemary (chopped or whole)
• 2 tablespoons chopped Thyme (chopped or whole)
• 1/2 teaspoon Black Peppercorns
• 2 to 3 cups raw unfiltered Apple Cider Vinegar (5% acidity) - is a great digestive aid and often called a home remedy miracle. We love apple cider vinegar for it’s many uses as well as it’s many benefits for your hair.
• ⅓ of a cup of raw Honey (to be added after fermentation) -is very soothing not just to taste but used to help inflamed tissues and organs. Did you know honey is also antibacterial ingredient! Honey also makes the Fire Cider easier to drink … a spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down!

Directions:

1. Peel and chop ingredients above and add them to a mason jar, remember, some of these ingredients can be very potent... we’re looking at you horseradish...so be prepared for the smells. Once you’ve added all the herbs and vegetables add your apple cider vinegar, then place a piece of parchment paper over the glass jar and add your lid. Let sit in your fridge for at least 3-4 weeks shaking daily (if you remember), for a more potent Fire Cider you can leave in the fridge for months.

2. Once your brew has finished fermenting, strain the liquid into another clean bottle. We suggest using a cheesecloth over a colander as there will be many small pieces of onion and garlic that might try to sneak into your Fire Cider. When it’s strained add your warmed raw honey and stir thoroughly.

Using the Fire Cider:

Fire Cider is surprisingly versatile! Here are our favourite ways to use it...

• Straight up! This isn’t for everyone, but add a little into a shot glass or on a tablespoon and down the hatch it goes.
• Adding it to your soups or stews
• Add some Fire Cider to some olive oil for a salad dressing
• Mixing some with some honey for a quick cough medicine (really soothing)
• If you’re feeling under the weather, add a small bit to hot water, lemon and honey drink.

Have you made Fire Cider before? What have you added to it?