Fire Cider: A Fiery Tonic for Cold Seasons

Fire Cider: A Fiery Tonic for Cold Seasons

When the cold creeps in and sniffles start to circle, there’s one fiery folk remedy we reach for again and again: Fire Cider. This bold herbal tonic blends raw apple cider vinegar, warming roots, citrus, and immune-loving herbs—designed to strengthen your body from the inside out.

A modern classic made famous by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, fire cider is easy to make, endlessly customisable, and deeply rooted in herbal tradition.

🌿 What Is Fire Cider?

Fire cider is a traditional herbal infusion. It’s made by steeping pungent herbs and spices like garlic, onion, ginger, and chilli in raw apple cider vinegar. Once strained and sweetened with raw honey, it becomes a zesty immune-boosting tonic that can be sipped, drizzled, or taken by the spoonful.

💪 Key Benefits of Fire Cider

  • Strengthens the immune system
  • Warms the body and supports circulation
  • Helps clear sinuses and ease congestion
  • Aids digestion and gut health
  • Combats inflammation and microbial infections

🌟 The Ultimate Fire Cider Recipe

This is our go-to recipe—a bold, potent brew that packs a punch while remaining balanced and nourishing.

🔸 Ingredients:

  • ½ cup grated horseradish root
  • ½ cup chopped onion
  • ½ cup chopped garlic
  • ½ cup grated ginger
  • 1 red chilli (sliced)
  • 1 fresh turmeric root (or 1 tbsp turmeric powder)
  • Zest and juice of 1 lemon
  • Zest and slices of 1 organic orange 🍊
  • 1 tbsp black peppercorns
  • 1 tbsp dried rosemary
  • 1 tbsp dried thyme
  • 1 cinnamon stick
  • 2 tbsp hibiscus petals (optional)
  • Raw apple cider vinegar (with the mother)
  • Raw honey (to taste, after straining)

🛠️ Method:

  1. Add all ingredients (except honey) into a clean glass jar.
  2. Cover completely with apple cider vinegar.
  3. Seal with a non-metal lid (or use parchment under a metal one).
  4. Shake daily for 3–4 weeks.
  5. Strain and add raw honey to taste.
  6. Store in a clean bottle in the fridge.

🥄 Suggested Use:

  • 1 tablespoon daily as a preventative
  • Up to every 2–3 hours at the first sign of a cold

👩👧 Fire Cider for Kids (Gentle Version)

This version is softer in flavour and perfect for little immune systems (ages 1 and up).

🍎 Ingredients:

  • ¼ cup grated fresh ginger
  • ¼ cup grated sweet apple
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tbsp dried chamomile or lemon balm
  • ½ tsp cinnamon
  • Raw apple cider vinegar
  • Raw honey (after straining)

🛠️ Method:

  1. Combine all ingredients except honey in a small jar.
  2. Cover with apple cider vinegar.
  3. Steep for 1–2 weeks, shaking daily.
  4. Strain and sweeten with raw honey to taste.
  5. Store in the fridge.

🥄 Suggested Use:

  • 1–2 teaspoons daily for immune support
  • Not suitable for children under 1 (due to honey)

✨ Fire Cider Variations & Add-Ins

Make it your own! These optional additions can help you tailor fire cider to your taste and health goals:

🍊 Citrus Boosters

  • Orange, grapefruit, or lime zest/slices

🌿 Herbal Additions

  • Thyme, rosemary, hibiscus, elderflower, lavender

🍎 Sweeteners

  • Raw honey, maple syrup, or blackstrap molasses

🧄 Rooty Additions

  • Beetroot, carrot, daikon radish

🌶️ Spice It Up

  • Cayenne, clove, star anise, black pepper

Follow your intuition—each jar can reflect the season, your mood, or what your body needs.

💬 Fire Cider Tips & FAQ

🔄 Do I need to stir it?
No, but shake it daily to keep ingredients evenly infused and prevent spoilage.

🕒 How long should it steep?
3–4 weeks is ideal, but longer infusions extract more depth.

🧊 Refrigerate or not?
Once strained, yes—especially if you added fresh fruit. It will last up to 6 months.

🍯 Can I skip the honey?
Yes! It’s optional. You can use molasses or maple syrup—or leave it unsweetened for a bold kick.

👧 Safe for kids?
Yes—for kids over 1 year using the gentle version. Avoid spicy herbs and raw honey for babies.

🥄 How much should I take?

  • Adults: 1 tablespoon daily or every 2–3 hours when sick
  • Kids: 1–2 teaspoons daily

💛 Closing Thoughts

Fire Cider is more than a remedy—it’s an act of care, a ritual of resilience, and a celebration of nature’s power to heal. Whether you're sipping it straight, adding it to soup, or gifting it to a loved one, each bottle is a little jar of herbal magic.

🌸 Made with heart by Flowers from My Meadow
Visit our online apothecary: www.flowersfrommymeadow.co.za

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