Disclaimer: Information and statements shown here are for educational and informational purposes only and are not to replace the advice of your healthcare professional. 

This Quick Fire Cider Recipe is not for the faint of heart, but it is a surefire way to kick a cold or flu-like symptoms to the curb.

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Fire cider is a traditional folk remedy drink that was explained and made popular mainly by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar. It’s a spicy tonic used as an herbal remedy during flu season and the colder months of the year.

If this is your first time making your own fire cider, rest assured... It’s not as complicated as it may appear. Use this quick version and you’ll have an awesome fire cider within 2 weeks!

5 Reasons You Should Try This Quick Fire Cider Recipe

• Easier (and less overwhelming) to make than other versions
• You most likely have the ingredients already in your home
• Has numerous healing properties and benefits to support your immune system
• Kick colds, sore throats, coughs, and flu’s to the curb
• Fun and satisfying to make

2 Main Health Benefits Of Fire Cider

There are so many benefits to this fire cider tonic, but let’s just mention two main ones. This is not to act as medical advice, always consult your healthcare practitioner.

Fights Colds & Flu-Like Symptoms

Using food as medicine, this fire cider tonic might help prevent and overcome flu-like symptoms and cold. Fire cider’s ingredients combined have a ton of vitamins like vitamin C, antioxidants, minerals, and more.  

Sometimes due to the strong smell, strong taste, and acidity of fire cider, it can clear up or give relief to nasal and chest congestion. So if you have a stuffy nose or sinus congestion, this should help provide some relief!

Although it’s hard to quote something as being a flu remedy, this fire cider gets as close as one can. Instead of using over-the-counter medicine with a list of negative effects, try 2-3 tablespoons of this per day when the flu comes around.

Improves Gut Health

The apple cider vinegar starts a fermentation process of each ingredient. Over time, the vegetables, roots, and herbs are fermented and can greatly benefit your gut bacteria.

Take 1-2 tablespoons of this vinegar per day to encourage good gut bacteria and to improve overall gut health.

The Original Fire Cider Recipe

Traditional fire cider recipes include 5 simple, core ingredients:

1. Fresh Garlic
2. Fresh Ginger
3. Fresh Onions
4. Horseradish Root
5. Hot Peppers

As time went on, fire cider gained more and more popularity and therefore had many different recipes to its name (just like this one!).

You can easily just include those 5 original ingredients, or you can mix and match to make what suits your needs and lifestyle.

For instance, I like to include turmeric and black pepper for their amazing health benefits. I also add lemon for taste (although lemons also have outstanding health benefits).

Get creative with your fire cider or simply use the original recipe, you can’t go wrong!

Other fire cider recipes use more fresh ingredients like fresh horseradish, fresh turmeric root, chili peppers, and whole black peppercorns. Using all fresh ingredients instead of ground spices could be better, but it’ll take a bit longer (about 4-6 weeks to ferment and infuse the flavors well enough).

I recommend trying different versions to see which method of making fire cider you prefer.

Other Ingredients You Can Add To Fire Cider

The cool thing about fire cider is that each person’s cider can look different depending on preferences, what you may have in stock, allergies or sensitivities, etc. Feel free to swap out, omit, or add ingredients as you see fit.

• Fresh rosemary
• Fresh thyme
• Fresh orange slices
• Rosehip
• Astragalus, Ashwagandha and/or other healthful mushrooms
• Lemon Balm
• Beetroot

My favorite online herbal store is Mountain Rose Herbs. It might be a little overwhelming at first, but little by little you can start your own natural medicine cabinet using their herbs and tinctures.

Remember to do your due diligence on researching each herb or ingredient for any precautions or interactions when using it.

How Long Fire Cider Usually Takes To Ferment

Traditional fire cider recipes call for the mixture to sit in a cool, dark cabinet to ferment for 4-6 weeks. By using ground herbs and such, we are able to speed up this fermentation process a bit (being only 2-4 weeks).

What You’ll Need For This Recipe

Kitchen Tools

Quart Size Mason Jar With Lid

Cheesecloth or Metal Strainer

Ingredients

The cool thing about fire cider, is you can really make it what you want. You can add or substitute almost any ingredient. Just be sure to include the core 5 ingredients listed above.

I recommend using all organic ingredients as the vinegar will pull a lot out of these ingredients and you don’t want to be drinking pesticides and other toxic byproducts.

Red Onion

Fresh Ginger

Fresh Garlic

Fresh Lemon

Horseradish Root or Powder

Turmeric Root or Powder

Ground Black Pepper or Whole Peppercorns

Cayenne Powder or Chili Peppers

Raw Apple Cider Vinegar - With the mother

Raw or Local Honey

How To Make A Quick Fire Cider Recipe

Recipe Video

Step-By-Step Instructions

Place all ingredients except apple cider vinegar and honey in a quart-sized glass jar.

Pour apple cider vinegar into jar until all ingredients are covered.

Using a lid, seal the jar and shake well.

Store in a dark and dry place for 2-4 weeks, shaking daily.

Strain the ingredients through cheesecloth or a metal strainer and pour the vinegar into a glass jar with a lid.

Enjoy 2-4 tablespoons daily or add to other recipes.

Store in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Simple And Quick Fire Cider Recipe

This Quick Fire Cider Recipe is not for the faint of heart, but it is a surefire way to kick a cold or sore throat to the curb. Ready in 2-4 weeks!

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Fermentation Period 14 days d

Total Time 14 days d 10 minutes mins

Course Drinks

Servings 50 Tbsp

Equipment

• 1 Quart-Size Mason Jar With Lid
• 1 Cheesecloth or Strainer

Ingredients

  

• 1 medium red onion diced
• 1/2 cup fresh ginger diced
• 2 Tbsp fresh garlic minced
• 1 lemon sliced
• 2 Tbsp horseradish root powder
• 1 Tbsp turmeric root powder
• 1/2 tsp ground black pepper
• 1/2 tsp cayenne powder
• About 3-4 cups raw apple cider vinegar
• Optional: 1/2 cup raw or local honey

Instructions

 

• Place all ingredients except apple cider vinegar and honey in a quart-sized glass jar.
• Pour apple cider vinegar into jar until all ingredients are covered.
• Using a lid, seal the jar and shake well.
• Store in a dark and dry place for 2-4 weeks*, shaking daily.
• Strain the ingredients through cheesecloth or a metal strainer and pour the vinegar into a glass jar with a lid.
• Enjoy 2-4 tablespoons daily or add to other recipes.
• Store in the fridge for up to 6 months.

Video

Notes

Optional For Sweetness: Add 1/4 cup honey or pure maple syrup to the jar after straining and shake well. OR add a teaspoon to each serving when consuming to sweeten it up (best option for kids).

*Normally fire cider takes at least 4 weeks to ferment and draw out components of each ingredient. But by using powders instead of whole ingredients, this recipe will be ready sooner than others.

I suggest using all organic ingredients if you can, as the vinegar will pull a lot out of these ingredients and you don’t want to be drinking pesticides and other toxic byproducts.

If it is too strong, you can dilute the fire cider into water or juice when consuming.

You may also use this fire cider tonic in recipes and dishes like stir fry, pasta, salads, soups, etc.

Keyword Fire Cider, Healthy Drinks, Homemade Immunity Drinks, Homemade Tonics, Immunity, Tonic

How To Use Fire Cider

I like to pour about 1/8-1/4 cup fire cider and simply sip. You can also just take a shot of fire cider to get it over with (it’ll burn in a good way). Others like to mix it with orange juice, apple juice, or water to mask the strong taste. Any method of consuming it will work!

Another way to use fire cider is to add to recipes like;

• Soups
• Stir-fries
• Sauces
• Marinades 
• Immunity drinks like hot toddys

It definitely gives your recipe a potent punch, so I only recommend using a little.

During the cold seasons like winter months, we like to use about 2-3 tablespoons of this per day in whichever method of incorporating it into our diet feels right.

How To Store Fire Cider

During the fermentation process, you want to keep your fire cider in a cool, dark area where light doesn’t consistently hit it. You can ferment your fire cider for up to 6 weeks to make it stronger if you’d like.

When the fire cider is strained, you want to transfer it to an airtight container in the fridge for up to 6 months.

You can freeze this fire cider in cubes kept in an airtight container for up to 1 year. Simply pop a cube into hot water, stir, and consume.

How To Use The Leftover Fire Cider Ingredients

After you’ve poured the fire cider liquid and properly stored it, your job isn’t done. You can use the remnants to make other things so there is truly zero waste!

Other ways to use the leftover fire cider ingredients:

• Chop and add to stir fry's, salads, soups, spring rolls, curry, etc.
• Dehydrate and use as a seasoning blend in popcorn, soups, salads, pasta, curry, pizza, etc.
• Blend, freeze in a silicone freezing tray, and add to any recipe that needs more of a tangy flavor.
• Boil, strain, and drink as a tangy lemon tea.

Other Herbal Remedies And Tonics