Extra Fire Cider

2 years ago
Yannick Schandené
2 minutes

Fire cider is a traditional herbal tonic that has been used for centuries as a natural remedy to boost the immune system and fight off colds and flu. The origins of fire cider can be traced back to the 17th century, where it was used by American folk healers and passed down through generations.

Here is a recipe for a classic fire cider that includes hot peppers:

Ingredients:

  • 500mL (2 cups) of raw apple cider vinegar
  • 250g (1 cup) of honey
  • 2 medium sized onions, chopped
  • 4 cloves of garlic, minced
  • 2 tbsp of grated ginger
  • 2 tbsp of grated horseradish
  • 2 tbsp of turmeric powder
  • 2 tbsp of dried rosemary
  • 1 tsp of cayenne pepper or your favourite hot pepper, finely chopped
  • Optional: lemon juice or zest

Instructions:

  1. In a large jar with a tight-fitting lid, combine the apple cider vinegar, honey, onions, garlic, ginger, horseradish, turmeric, rosemary, and cayenne pepper.
  2. Stir well to combine the ingredients and ensure that the honey is fully dissolved.
  3. Optional: you can add lemon juice or zest for extra flavor.
  4. Seal the jar tightly and store it in a cool, dark place for at least 4 weeks, shaking the jar every few days to ensure that the ingredients are well combined.
  5. After 4 weeks, strain the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer, discarding the solids.
  6. The fire cider is ready to use, you can take a tablespoon or two daily, mixed with water or juice.

After straining the solids, you can also reuse them to make a second batch of fire cider. Simply add another 500mL of raw apple cider vinegar to the solids and let it sit for another 4 weeks. This will result in a weaker but still potent tonic that can still help boost your immune system. This second batch can also be a great way to use the solids if you find that the first batch is too hot for your taste. You can also add more honey or other sweeteners to balance the heat. And you can also use the solids in other recipe as marinade, salad dressing or as a spread.

Note that you can adjust the amount of honey and hot pepper to your taste, the recipe above is a base recipe that you can adjust to your own preference.

Enjoy!