Fire Cider

Fire cider is the “it” drink when it comes to all-natural tonics, but the truth is, it’s far from new. The premise of using herbs in a powerful combination to rid your body of what ails you references back to at least the mid-1800s and most likely longer, though not recorded.

So, what is fire cider and why is it so popular during cold and flu season? Fire cider is a combination of herbs and aromatic vegetables steeped in apple cider vinegar. Ingredients like garlic, horseradish, ginger, sage, thyme, cayenne, and other herbs help fortify and strengthen the drink.

One whiff of fire cider perks up those nasal passages. Everyone who’s made or sipped it will agree it’s an acquired taste, but one fire cider fan agrees it is worth it. There are enthusiasts who swear by a shot of fire cider every day.

Combine 1 part fire cider to 3 parts hot water. Some honey can help lessen the acidic punch and drinking it like this as a tea is more palatable and enjoyable. You can use maple syrup or agave if you want to keep your fire cider vegan.

The base for fire cider begins with apple cider vinegar. Choose an apple cider vinegar that includes the mother for maximum effect. As for the aromatics, horseradish, ginger root, garlic, and cayenne are common. Raw onions may be included, too. Keep your dietary needs and preferences in mind when making fire cider. If you’re allergic to garlic, it’d be counter-productive to use it.

To make a one quart jar of fire cider, you’ll need a total of two cups of chopped ingredients. Aside from that base standard, the amount of each ingredient you’ll ultimately use is very flexible. Once you’ve got all your ingredients ready, the only thing you need to do is get chopping since fire cider is a no-cook recipe. This falls into the home fermenting category, a tonic that just needs time to develop fully as the herbs and aromatics infuse into the vinegar.