Fire Cider is a popular (and tasty!) herbal folk remedy popularized by esteemed herbalist, Rosemary Gladstar (who inspired the recipe below). This tasty vinegar infusion powered by warming and wellness-supporting ingredients is an especially pleasant and easy way to boost natural health processes, stimulate digestion, and raise your internal thermostat on cold days. Mmm...mmm!...how we love this hot and sweet, zesty, vinegary recipe!

Because this is a folk preparation, the ingredients can change from year to year depending on when you make it and what's growing around you. The standard base ingredients are apple cider vinegar, garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers, but there are plenty of other herbs that can be thrown in for added kick. This year there were lots of spicy jalapenos and vibrant rosemary in the garden, so we used those along with some organic turmeric powder and fresh lemon peel. Some people like to bury their fire cider jar in the ground for a month and then dig it up during a great feast to celebrate the changing of the seasons. We like to take a tablespoon each morning to help warm up or triple that if we feel the sniffles coming on.

Fire cider can be taken straight by the spoonful, added to organic veggie juice (throw in some olives and pickles for a non-alcoholic, healthy bloody mary!), splashed in fried rice, or drizzled on a salad with good olive oil. You can also save the strained pulp and mix it with shredded veggies like carrots, cabbage, broccoli, and fresh herbs to make delicious and aromatic stir-fries and spring rolls. 

Classic Mountain Rose Herbs Fire Cider Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 medium organic onion, chopped
• 10 cloves of organic garlic, crushed or chopped
• 2 organic jalapeno peppers, chopped
• Zest and juice from 1 organic lemon
• 1/2 cup fresh grated organic ginger root (or organic ginger root powder)
• 1/2 cup fresh grated organic horseradish root (or organic horseradish powder)
• 1 Tbsp. organic turmeric powder
• 1/4 tsp. organic cayenne powder
• 2 Tbsp. of dried rosemary leaves
• organic apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup of raw, local honey, or to taste

Directions

1. Prepare your roots, fruits, and herbs and place them in a quart-sized glass jar. If you've never grated fresh horseradish, be prepared for a powerful sinus-opening experience!
2. Pour the apple cider vinegar in the jar until all of the ingredients are covered and the vinegar reaches the jar's top.
3. Use a piece of natural parchment paper under the lid to keep the vinegar from touching the metal, or a plastic lid if you have one. Shake well.
4. Store in a dark, cool place for a month and remember to shake daily.
5. After one month, use cheesecloth to strain out the pulp, pouring the vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze as much of the liquidy goodness as you can from the pulp while straining.
6. Next comes the honey. Add and stir until incorporated.
7. Taste your cider and add more honey until you reach the desired sweetness.

Fire Cider Variations

Want to stoke your inner fire with other flavor combos? Explore two more fire cider variations here on the blog:

• Tom Kha Fire Cider Recipe

• Quick Fire Cider Recipe

...or, check out Rosemary Gladstar's amazing Fire Cider recipe book for 101 more fire cider starters!

Want More vinegar-based herbal remedies?

Make Our Four Thieves Vinegar Recipe!

You may also be interested in:  

• Fire Cider Goes to Court: Fighting for Folk Herbalism
• How to Make Herbal Oxymels
• How to Make Herbal Vinegars 

For educational purposes only. This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Not intended as a substitute for advice from your physician or other health care professional.