Estimated reading time: 7 minutes
The fall and winter months can be draining from the lack of sunshine, the chill in the air, and the onslaught of germs that never seems to end! I’m trying something new to ward off those winter chills this year. I’m making fire cider. This traditional recipe uses common ingredients to create a spicy drink that warms the body and is thought to boost the immune system.
What Is Fire Cider?
Fire cider is an old-fashioned herbal remedy thought to help warm you up, boost immunity, and help with digestion. A typical fire cider recipe includes horseradish, ginger, garlic, hot peppers, and apple cider vinegar, giving it a fiery flavor.
The concoction needs to steep for at least two weeks. Then, it can be used as a daily immune booster, to ward off a cold, or just to warm up! Some people will take a small shot of the spicy drink, while others prefer to dilute it in juice or tea, mix it with oil as a salad dressing, or drizzle over roasted veggies.
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What Are the Benefits of Drinking Fire Cider?
Keep in mind that fire cider is an old-fashioned herbal remedy. There may not be any scientific evidence supporting the use of fire cider, but tradition says it supports the immune system, improves blood sugar, helps with weight loss, and helps you feel warm.
What is Fire Cider Made of?
You’ll find there are a lot of different variations of fire cider, but there are several core ingredients that give this drink its fiery taste and immune-boosting benefits.
- Apple Cider Vinegar – may have probiotic and digestive benefits
- Ginger – often used for nausea and digestive issues
- Garlic – is considered to be antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and antifungal
- Onions – may have antibiotic and antioxidantqualities
- Hot peppers – Hot peppers have vitamin C as well as Capsaicin, which is thought to have antimicrobial properties
- Horseradish – may have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial properties from lab studies.
There are plenty of optional ingredients that you can use to adjust the flavor and properties of your fire cider. You can include:
- Lemon or oranges
- Fresh herbs such as rosemary, thyme, and oregano
- Turmeric for its anti-inflammatory properties
- Honey for its antimicrobial properties and sweet flavor
Fresh ingredients are considered to be the best. However, if you don’t have access to fresh ingredients, dried herbs and powders will also work!
Here’s how to make it.
Fire Cider Ingredient List
- 24 ounces apple cider vinegar
- ¼ cup garlic, finely chopped
- ¼ cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 fresh hot peppers (I only used one)
- ¼ cup grated ginger
- 2 tablespoons grated horseradish
- 3 tablespoons turmeric
- 2 tablespoons oregano
- 2 tablespoons thyme
- ¼ cup raw honey (to be added later)
I didn’t go too crazy trying to measure out all my ingredients. I just approximated the amounts of each, although I admit that I went a little heavy with the garlic and onion and a little lighter on the hot pepper because I don’t like foods that are very spicy. You can adjust your ingredients to taste. However, it’s critical to have enough apple cider vinegar to cover all of the other ingredients in your jar. Everything must be submerged so that it doesn’t go bad.
Directions to Make Fire Cider
- Gather all your ingredients and decide what you want in your fire cider. For it to be palatable to me, I went easy on the hot peppers but made up for it with garlic and onion.
- Finely chop the garlic, onion, fresh herbs, and hot pepper. The hotter the pepper, the more careful you need to be. You may want to wear gloves and eye protection and be sure you don’t rub your eyes when you are working with hot peppers! It will burn.
- Grate your ginger, horseradish, and turmeric root. I like to use a glove made to protect your fingers so you don’t accidentally grate them, too!
- Layer your ingredients in a large mason jar.
- Pour enough apple cider vinegar into the jar to submerge all of your ingredients. Put a lid on the jar and give it a good shake.
- Allow your fire cider to steep for at least two weeks, shaking it daily. It is even better if you can let it steep for a month. The color will darken and change over time.
- Strain your fire cider with a cheesecloth laid over a strainer or colander.
- Add honey to taste to the liquid. You can throw out the leftover pieces of ginger, onion, etc.
- Store your fire cider in a cool, dark place for up to a year. I prefer to store mine in the refrigerator to be safe, although fire cider is considered shelf-stable.
- Drink as needed!
How Much Fire Cider Do I Need to Drink?
You can take one tablespoon of fire cider a day as an immune system booster. Take one tablespoon several times throughout the day to ward off a cold or illness.
Many people like to dilute the drink in a glass of juice or tea because the flavor is very spicy! You may want to be careful when you first start using the fire cider. Start with a smaller dose and make sure to take it with food until you are sure it won’t upset your stomach.
Just like any other spicy food, fire cider can cause your nose and eyes to run and reduce inflammation. Drink with caution!
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Fire Cider
Equipment
- Mason jars with lids
Ingredients
- 24 ozs. apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup garlic, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup onion, finely chopped
- 2 fresh hot peppers
- 1/4 cup grated ginger
- 2 tbsps. grated horseradish
- 3 tbsps. turmeric
- 2 tbsps. oregano
- 2 tbsps. thyme
- 1/4 cup raw honey to be added later
Instructions
- Gather all your ingredients and decide what you want in your fire cider. For it to be palatable to me, I went easy on the hot peppers but made up for it with garlic and onion.
- Finely chop the garlic, onion, fresh herbs, and hot pepper. The hotter the pepper, the more careful you need to be. You may want to wear gloves and eye protection and be sure you don’t rub your eyes when you are working with hot peppers! It will burn.
- Grate your ginger, horseradish, and turmeric root. I like to use a glove made to protect your fingers so you don’t accidentally grate them, too!
- Layer your ingredients in a large mason jar.
- Pour enough apple cider vinegar into the jar to submerge all of your ingredients. Put a lid on the jar and give it a good shake.
- Allow your fire cider to steep for at least two weeks, shaking it daily. It is even better if you can let it steep for a month. The color will darken and change over time.
- Strain your fire cider with a cheesecloth laid over a strainer or colander.
- Add honey to taste to the liquid. You can throw out the leftover pieces of ginger, onion, etc.
- Store your fire cider in a cool, dark place for up to a year. I prefer to store mine in the refrigerator to be safe, although fire cider is considered shelf-stable.
How Much Fire Cider Do I Need to Drink?
- You can take one tablespoon of fire cider a day as an immune system booster. Take one tablespoon several times throughout the day to ward off a cold or illness. Many people like to dilute the drink in a glass of juice or tea because the flavor is very spicy! You may want to be careful when you first start using the fire cider. Start with a smaller dose and make sure to take it with food until you are sure it won’t upset your stomach. Just like any other spicy food, fire cider can cause your nose and eyes to run and reduce inflammation. Drink with caution!
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