How to Make Fire Cider: A Fiery Homemade Tonic to Boost Your Immune System
Fire cider might just be the “gross-but-great” immune tonic you never knew you needed. With a mix of pungent ingredients like horseradish, garlic, ginger, and apple cider vinegar, it’s a traditional folk remedy to boost your defenses, especially during the colder months. Here’s how to whip up your own random version of fire cider using what you have on hand:
- Versatile: You can mix and match ingredients, and it’ll still pack a punch.
- Immune-boosting: Perfect for cold season, with powerful natural remedies.
- Lasts for ages: Store in a cool, dark place, and it’ll keep for at least a year.
What is Fire Cider?
Fire cider is a homemade herbal tonic made by fermenting a variety of immune-boosting ingredients in apple cider vinegar. Over time, the vinegar draws out the beneficial properties of these potent ingredients, creating a fiery, tangy tonic.
The Power of Each Ingredient
Let’s break down the magic of what you’ve got:
- Horseradish and garlic: Natural antibiotics, great for respiratory health.
- Ginger: Anti-inflammatory and soothing for digestion.
- Cayenne pepper: Boosts circulation and adds a spicy kick.
- Turmeric: A potent anti-inflammatory with antioxidant properties.
- Onions: Rich in immune-boosting compounds.
- Lemons: Packed with vitamin C and zesty flavor.
- Honey: Balances the acidity and adds soothing sweetness.
Chopping and Preparing the Ingredients
Here’s what to do:
- Roughly chop 5 onions, 5 lemons, a packet of ginger, and 2 cloves of garlic. No need for perfect cuts; you’re not going for presentation here, just raw potency.
- Grate or finely chop 2 packets of turmeric and a big knob of horseradish if you have it (optional but highly recommended for an extra kick).
- Place all the chopped ingredients in a large glass jar or several smaller ones.
How to Combine Everything with Vinegar
Cover the ingredients completely with apple cider vinegar (its great if it’s raw, with “the mother”, but any type of cider vinagre will work.).
This will help preserve the mixture and extract the good stuff.
Fill the jar so that the vinegar covers everything by at least 2-3 cm.
You don’t want any bits exposed to the air, as that could cause mold.
Storing and Fermenting the Fire Cider
Seal the jar , but not too tightly, as it needs some air space, as it is fermenting…..
and store it in a cool, dark place like a cupboard. I store mine out on the car port, at the north side of my house.
Cool Darkish, and because i see it daily it reamids me to take it.
Give it a shake every few weeks to make sure everything is mixing well.
Let the cider steep for about 4-6 weeks, but the longer you leave it, the more intense the flavors will become.
I keep mine for a year or more….
How to Use Fire Cider for Colds and Coughs
When you’re feeling under the weather, simply strain off a small portion of the liquid.
1/3 of a mug with the rest being hot water.
You can drink it straight if you’re brave, but most people prefer to add it to hot water with a dollop of honey.
This helps soften the fiery, tangy flavor.
And if you have any frozen blackcurrant juice or elderberry juice, add it for an extra immune-boosting twist!
Can I Customize Fire Cider to My Taste?
Absolutely! You can play around with ingredients depending on what’s available.
Want more spice?
Add extra cayenne.
Prefer it sweeter?
Stir in more honey.
Don’t like onions?
Skip them!
Fire cider is all about adapting the recipe to your own preferences and what you have in your kitchen.
Adding elderberry or blackcurrant juice to your fire cider will not only make it taste less harsh but also boost its immune-enhancing properties. Both fruits are rich in antioxidants and vitamins, making your tonic even more powerful.
Making fire cider is a wonderfully random and flexible process that lets you use up what you have and create a potent, natural remedy. Sure, it might taste a little intense, but when that cold or cough hits, you’ll be glad to have a jar of this fiery tonic on hand. It’s your secret weapon for immune defense, and it’ll keep for at least a year!
How long should I let fire cider ferment?
Let it steep for at least 4-6 weeks, but the longer you leave it, the stronger the flavors will become. Some people leave theirs for months!
Can I add more honey if it’s too spicy?
Yes, feel free to add more honey to taste. This will balance out the sharpness of the vinegar and the heat from the spices.
Is fire cider safe for daily consumption?
Yes, in small amounts. A tablespoon or two a day is great for maintaining health, but if you’re not used to the heat, start slow.