Description

A balanced, immune-boosting fire cider made with raw apple cider vinegar, fresh garlic, ginger, turmeric, horseradish, and honey. This easy homemade tonic is perfect for fall wellness and forgiving of ingredient swaps.

Ingredients

Scale

2 cups raw apple cider vinegar (with the mother)
10–12 fresh garlic cloves, crushed
3-inch piece fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
2-inch piece fresh turmeric root, thinly sliced
2-inch piece horseradish root, peeled and grated
1 medium onion (red or yellow), roughly chopped
1 fresh jalapeño, sliced in half lengthwise (seeds in for extra heat, removed for milder)
1 fresh lemon, sliced into thin rounds
2–3 tablespoons raw honey (or to taste)
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 fresh rosemary sprig (optional)
2–3 fresh thyme sprigs (optional)

Instructions

Wash all produce well. Slice ginger and turmeric into thin rounds (about 1/8 inch thick). Crush garlic cloves with the flat side of a knife. Rough chop the onion. Slice jalapeño in half lengthwise. Cut lemon into thin rounds.
Layer ingredients in a clean 32-ounce wide-mouth glass jar. Start with harder ingredients like ginger and turmeric at the bottom. Add garlic, onion, jalapeño, and lemon slices. Tuck rosemary and thyme sprigs down the sides. Pack snugly but not too tight.
Sprinkle black pepper over the top of the produce. Drizzle in raw honey. Do not stir yet.
Slowly pour raw apple cider vinegar over everything until produce is completely submerged (at least 1 inch above solids). Add more vinegar if needed.
Screw lid on tight. Shake jar well to distribute honey and pepper.
Store jar in a cool, dark place (like a pantry or cabinet). Shake once daily for the first week, then every few days after that. Steep for at least 2 weeks, preferably 4 weeks.
After steeping, set a fine-mesh strainer or cheesecloth over a large bowl or measuring cup. Pour contents through. Let drip for a few minutes, then gently press on solids to extract remaining liquid. Discard solids.
Taste the strained fire cider. If too sharp, stir in more raw honey to balance. Use a funnel to pour into clean glass bottles.
Label bottles with the date. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.

Notes

Don’t rush the steeping; flavor develops in weeks 3-4. Keep jar out of direct sunlight and away from heat. Crush garlic cloves rather than mincing to avoid harshness. Use raw apple cider vinegar with the mother for best results. Shake daily for the first week. Start with the listed amount of horseradish; you can always add more heat later. Fire cider can be taken straight (1 tablespoon per day) or diluted in warm water. It also works as a salad dressing base or marinade. Do not heat directly to preserve beneficial compounds.

Prep Time: 20 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Category: Tonic / Wellness
Cuisine: American

Nutrition

Serving Size: 1 tablespoon
Calories: 1520
Sugar: 3
Sodium: 5
Carbohydrates: 4

Keywords: fire cider, immunity shots, fall wellness, homemade tonic, apple cider vinegar, immune booster, natural remedy, cold season, garlic, ginger, turmeric, horseradish