How to make fire cider, a fiery tonic made with fresh horseradish, ginger, garlic, onions, cayenne pepper, apple cider vinegar and honey.

Ever heard of fire cider? It’s an immune-boosting tonic that’s been used for decades to naturally protect against cold and flu and ease sinus congestion. How cool is that?! And with cold and flu season in full swing I’ll take all the immune-boosting things I can get my hands on!

The base recipe includes horseradish, ginger, garlic, onions, cayenne pepper and apple cider vinegar, but don’t let that scare you! The last step before drinking is to add honey and any other flavors to sweeten/balance to your liking.

So why would you want to choke this down down? First of all, this stuff is liquid gold and actually quite tasty! Isaac and I have grown to crave the stuff. It’s an amazing balance of spicy, sour, sweet, sharp, herbal — basically every flavor I can describe.

What is Fire Cider?

Fire cider is like a trusty old friend from the herbal world, packed with ingredients like fresh garlic, ginger and turmeric that give your immune system a good boost!

This recipe might feel like a new wave in the ocean of natural remedies, but its roots actually trace back to the old-world traditions of herbal healing. This pungent, spicy tonic is a legacy of the past, born from the hands of wise herbalists who believed in the power of nature’s pantry. Its modern journey started in the 1970s, thanks to herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, a renowned name in the herbal community. She brought fire cider into the limelight, teaching her students at the California School of Herbal Studies about its fiery benefits and immune-boosting properties.

Today, fire cider stands as a symbol of herbal tradition, a concoction that seamlessly blends the old with the new. It’s a recipe that’s been lovingly tweaked over the years but still holds the essence of its original intent – a natural, potent aid for wellness.

Why You’ll Love Fire Cider

• Immune Booster — It’s packed with ingredients known for their immune-boosting properties so it’s perfect for cold and flu season!
• Long Shelf Life — When properly stored, fire cider can last up to 12 months, making it a convenient health boost any time you need it.
• Versatile — It’s not just a health tonic, fire cider can be used in cooking or as a salad dressing.

Ingredients You’ll Need

Don’t be intimidated by the ingredient list! You probably already have a lot of these ingredients in your kitchen and the rest you can find at most any grocery store!

• Apple cider vinegar — be sure to use unrefined, unpasteurized and unfiltered apple cider vinegar “with the mother”. I always buy Bragg’s apple cider vinegar. If you’re interested check out all the health benefits of apple cider!
• Horseradish — helps alleviate sinus congestion and headaches (source). Fresh horseradish is best if you can find it! I was able to find fresh horseradish root in the produce section at my local Kroger and Whole Foods. You can also probably find it in local Asian markets. If you can’t find fresh horseradish root anywhere you can use prepared horseradish like this Gold’s prepared horseradish. Just make sure if you’re using prepared that it doesn’t have a ton of added ingredients!
• Ginger — adds a warm, spicy kick that’s also great for digestion and nausea (source). Fresh ginger root is ideal for its potent flavor and health benefits. While peeling the ginger is an option, it’s not necessary since it will be steeping in the mixture. If you choose to peel it, simply use the edge of a spoon or vegetable peeler to scrape off the skin.
• Turmeric — the golden root known for its anti-inflammatory properties (source). I recommend using fresh turmeric root for the best results, but if you can’t find any you can use 1 Tablespoon of turmeric powder instead. Similar to fresh ginger, you can peel the fresh turmeric root, but it’s not essential as it will be infused in the cider. If peeling, do so gently, as its color can stain easily and the skin is quite thin.
• Garlic — we’re using 10 garlic cloves in this recipe which adds a bold, pungent flavor and is known for its antimicrobial and antibacterial properties (source).
• Onion — you’ll need a full, chopped yellow onion for this recipe, which offers a slightly sweet and aromatic quality. I recommend using a white or yellow onion, but if you only have red onion on hand that will work.
• Jalapeño — for that extra zing and heat. Fresh jalapeños with their seeds are preferred, but you can remove the seeds if desired based on your spice tolerance.
• Lemon — brightens up the mix with its citrusy tang. We’re using both the zest and juice for maximum flavor.
• Rosemary — its earthy, piney flavor adds a nice depth to this tonic. I used dried rosemary for this recipe, but if you have fresh rosemary sprigs on hand, use that!
• Cayenne pepper — a little goes a long way to add heat and improve circulation (source). Adjust according to your spice preference.
• Raw honey — this is added at the end before drinking. It balances the spice and adds natural sweetness. Raw honey is recommended as it’s a great source of antioxidants, can help with digestion and has antibacterial and antifungal properties (source). If you need to make this tonic vegan you can use maple syrup or agave as a substitute for the honey. Just note that it won’t have the same nutritional benefits that raw honey does!

How to Make Fire Cider

Step 1: Add ginger, horseradish, onion, garlic, jalapeño peppers, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, turmeric and cayenne powder to a quart-sized mason jar or similar size jar. Pour apple cider vinegar in the jar until all the ingredients are fully covered and the vinegar reaches the top of the jar. Cover and and shake the jar to combine all the ingredients. Store in a dark, cool place for 4-6 weeks, remembering to shake the jar a few seconds every day.

Step 2: After one month, use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to strain out the solids, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can. This stuff is liquid gold! Add honey to the liquid and stir until incorporated. Taste your fire cider and add more honey if needed until you reach your desired sweetness.

Fire Cider Health Benefits

Beyond the flavor, it’s packed with numerous health benefits (hence why it’s called a folk remedy). I swear by it as an immune booster and drink extra when I’m starting to feel like I’m coming down with something. Here are some of the many health benefits of fire cider:

• Immune-boosting: Ingredients like garlic, onion and ginger have natural antibacterial and antiviral properties, making fire cider a popular choice for boosting the immune system, especially during cold and flu season. (Source)
• Aiding digestion: The apple cider vinegar and ginger in fire cider can help improve digestion and settle an upset stomach. (Source)
• Improving circulation: Spices like cayenne pepper are known to stimulate blood flow, potentially enhancing circulation and contributing to overall cardiovascular health. (Source)
• Anti-inflammatory: Ingredients like turmeric, ginger, garlic and cayenne all possess anti-inflammatory properties, which can help reduce inflammation in the body. (Source)
• Congestion relief: Horseradish, garlic, cayenne, ginger and turmeric are all said to help clear sinus congestion. (Source)

How to Use Fire Cider

There are soooo many ways to enjoy this immune-boosting elixir. I’m excited to make my way through this list!

• Take a shot (about 1-2 Tablespoons) straight up.
• If it’s too potent for you or you’re worried about your tooth enamel you can dilute it with warm water, juice or apple cider.
• Use the fire cider to make a delicious homemade salad dressing  — I need to try this asap!
• Add to fried rice or cauliflower fried rice.
• Use in Bloody Marys — alcoholic or not!
• Drizzle over steamed or roasted veggies like roasted cauliflower or roasted carrots.
• Use as a marinade for any protein like tofu, fish or chicken.
• Add to a soup or chili. It would be the perfect addition to this detox soup!

Recipe Variations

While the main ingredients we’re using all possess plenty of health benefits, that doesn’t mean you can’t switch the ingredients up for something else that suits your taste buds. Here are some ideas:

• Citrus: Besides lemon, try adding orange or grapefruit zest and juice for a different citrus twist and additional vitamin C.
• Spicier: This fire cider already packs in a spicy punch, but if you want even more you can add crushed red pepper, more cayenne pepper or use hotter peppers like habanero.
• Additional ingredients: Add other immune-boosting ingredients like cinnamon, echinacea, astragalus or elderberry for extra benefits.

How to Store Fire Cider

Once you’ve made your batch of fire cider, storing it properly is key to preserving its potency and flavor. After straining, transfer it to a clean, airtight glass container. Mason jars or glass bottles with secure lids work perfectly.

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. This helps redistribute all the flavors and ingredients that may have settled at the bottom.

Tip! I recommend labeling your fire cider with the date you made it to keep track of how old it is.

Recipe FAQs

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