Fire Cider Recipe | Immune Boosting Goodness (2024)

Fire cider vinegar is an immune boosting, inflammation reducing, respiratory soothing tonic. This easy fire cider recipe contains basic garden ingredients. Feel free to modify this recipe with other immune boosting herbs and spices.

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I was introduced to fire cider vinegar many years ago by Justin’s younger brother. He had been consuming the tonic to boost his immune system, proclaiming its effectiveness at the end of the cold and flu season.

Because we use herbs and other holistic options as a form of preventative care I decided to make a batch. Little did I know how effective this drinking vinegar would be at fighting off viruses.

With this in mind I set off to make the first batch.

Oh my goodness, my taste buds were not prepared for the flavor. Nor was my stomach.

Unfortunately the spiciness of the peppers and horseradish was more than my stomach could handle. I was not sure if Justin and I would be able to consume it, let alone the kids!

After a few days of forcing ourselves to consume the spicy drinking vinegar we became accustomed to the flavor. Before we knew it a new batch needed to made.

Every year since this fire cider recipe is made in preparation of cold and flu season.

The Benefits

There are a great many benefits to consuming homemade fire cider vinegar. As previously mentioned, consuming fire cider at the onset of the sniffles helps to minimize, and shorten, the amount of time you’re not well.

Consuming small amounts of the vinegar daily helps to naturally boost the immune system. Additionally, the benefits of this fire cider recipe do not stop there.

• fire cider stimulates digestion
• it raises the body temperature on cold, chilly days
• the tonic helps to soothe inflammation when consumed daily
• additionally it helps to combat sinus conditions

However, the list does not stop there. Rosemary Gladstar stated the tonic works to reduce headaches and lowers cholesterol.

Let’s Break it Down

As previously mentioned, each item within this fire cider recipe brings something amazing to the fire cider tonic. The ingredients create a holistic firewall which provides relief to many conditions.

The beneficial qualities shared in this list do not begin to touch the full potential for what each item has to offered.

• Spicy peppers or ground cayenne – provides warmth as the body works to fights off virus while improving circulation
• Onions – antibacterial, antioxidant, controls blood sugar
• Garlic – overall immune boosting, anti-fungal, anti-viral, antibacterial
• Horseradish – helps to sooth coughs and other respiratory conditions
• Turmeric – one of the healthiest herbs available, works to reduce inflammation
• Black peppercorns – offers assistance to soothe respiratory issues, reduces inflammation, assists in helping cucurmin absorb into the body
• Unpasteurized apple cider vinegar – is a probiotic, aids in digestions, contains vitamin C, balances blood sugar, reduces allergy symptoms
• Ginger – helps with digestion and respiratory issues, and is also an anti-inflammatory
• Lemon – contains vitamin C, aids in digestion
• Rosehips – the highest form of vitamin C
• Astragalus – an overall immune boosting herb, reduces the affects of the common cold and allergies
• Rosemary – antioxidant, anti-inflammatory

Fire Cider Tonic

The flavor of homemade fire cider vinegar is a shock to many. It is tart and spicy all at once, similar to the juice of spicy pickled items.

Kinda. Sorta. Not Really.

At the onset of a cold consume 2 to 3 tablespoon every few hours until the symptoms subside. However, consuming 2 to 3 tablespoons daily will help boost the immune system.

Because this fire cider recipe is stronger than most expect, mix the tonic with juice. Mix the drinking vinegar with orange, lemon or tomato juice for easier consumption.

Aside from consuming this fire cider recipe straight-up, use it as an ingredient to make the following items:

• make salad dressing, substitute the vinegar for fire cider vinegar
• drizzle over steamed vegetables or sauteed leafy greens
• use this fire cider recipe to marinate meat or tofu

Another amazing vinegar tonic is this pineapple ginger shrub. Children enjoy this drinking vinegar mixed with sparkling water. Whereas adults enjoy it mixed with drinking alcohol, creating co*cktails.

Fire Cider Recipe

The base ingredients for any fire cider recipe is:

• unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
• garlic
• horseradish
• onion
• ginger
• hot peppers

However, any medicinal herbs and spices can be added to boost the beneficial qualities of homemade fire cider vinegar. Use ingredients which are grown in the garden or purchased at the local farmers market.

Because fire cider has no experation date, pre-make this recipe when produce and herbs are at their peak.

A gentle reminder, organic ingredients are the best option when available.

Ingredients

• 1/2 cup fresh horseradish root, grated, chopped, or coined
• 1/2 cup fresh ginger root, grated, chopped, or coined
• 2 fresh jalapeno peppers, coined or halved and chopped
• 1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
• 1 large lemon, juiced
• 10 large cloves garlic, peeled and crushed, or chopped
• 1 tablespoon rosehips
• 2 springs fresh, or dried, rosemary
• 1 tablespoon organic turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorn
• 2 teaspoon dried astragalus root, or 2 to 3 slices dried
• unpasteurized apple cider vinegar
• 1/4 cup raw honey, more to taste

Equipment

• 1 gallon glass container with plastic lid
• cheesecloth
• large glass bowl
• measuring cup
• measuring spoons
• large rubber band
• bottle funnel
• 33-ounce swing top bottle

Instructions

1. Prepare the roots, herbs, and lemon, placing the ingredients into a half-gallon glass jar.
2. Next, add the unpasteurized apple cider vinegar, covering the ingredients by 1-inch of vinegar.
3. Add the plastic lid to the jar and shake well.
4. Store the jar in a cool dark location for a minimum of one month, shaking the mixture daily.
5. Once thoroughly infused, place the cheesecloth on top of the glass jar, securing the cloth in place with a rubber band. Strain the fire cider vinegar into a glass bowl.
6. Next, add the honey, mixing well until it has dissolved. Taste the fire cider tonic, adding additional honey if needed.
7. The final step is to bottle the fire cider. Using the bottle funnel, slowly add the vinegar to the swing top bottle.
8. Store the final product in a cool dark place, consuming as desired.

Notes:

1. Jalapeno peppers can be substituted for habanero, serrano, or other spicy peppers. Ground cayenne pepper can also be added to this recipe.
2. Substitute ground turmeric with 1/4 cup peeled fresh turmeric root.
3. Lemons contain more vitamin C than oranges, however, oranges are a good substitution. Dried rosehips contain the highest level of vitamin C, use in place of, or in addition too, citrus fruit.
4. Organic turmeric powder contains more curcumin than a non-organic item. Black peppercorn helps to allow the curcumin to absorb into the body properly.

Fire Cider Vinegar – Printable Recipe Card

Remember, once strained of the ingredients fire cider vinegar has no expiration date. Store the vinegar in a cool dark location or in the refrigerator.

Keep in mind, this tonic takes 4 weeks to complete, plan accordingly to begin a new batch.

As you gain confidence in making this fire cider recipe feel free to experiment with additional medicinal herbs.