Description
Boost your immunity with this tried and true folk remedy! Fire cider is a healing tonic, made with antioxidant roots, herbs, and aromatics. Keep this tonic handy throughout cold and flu season.
Ingredients
Units
- 1 large onion, cut into slices
- 1/2 cup fresh turmeric, chopped (leave peel on if organic)
- 1/2 cup fresh ginger roots, chopped (leave peel on if organic)
- 1/2 cup fresh horseradish root, grated **see notes!
- 1/2 cup fresh garlic cloves, roughly chopped
- 1 lemon, cut into slices or wedges
- 1 orange, cut into slices or wedges
- 1–2 hot peppers (jalapeños, fresno chili, or habanero, or use dried 1/8– 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper)
- 6–8 fresh thyme and sage sprigs
- 1 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 4 + cups organic apple cider vinegar, unpasturized
- 2 tablespoons to 1/2 cup raw honey (optional)
Optional additions: green pine needles, rosemary, rosehips, lemon balm, elderberries, star anise, cinnamon sticks, beetroot, nettle leaves.
Instructions
- In a 1/2 gallon mason jar (or 2- quart jars) layer onion, turmeric, ginger, horseradish, garlic, lemon, orange, thyme, sage, black peppercorns. Add any other optional additional ingredients.
- Pour apple cider vinegar over the ingredients, top off with enough vinegar to cover, leaving about 1 inch head space and make sure ingredients are submerged. Use a plastic mason jar lid or use a piece of wax paper or plastic wrap if using a metal lid (vinegar eats metal). Seal tight.
- Store in a cool. dark place for at least 2 weeks but 4 weeks is better. Shake or stir daily.
- Strain through a fine mesh strainer, discard the solids. Whisk in honey to taste, if using. Pour into sterilized bottles with tight sealing non-reactive lids. Store in the refrigerator up to 1 year.
Notes
When grating fresh horseradish, wear gloves to protect your skin from irritation, as horseradish can be pungent and painful. Use a well-ventilated area or a fan to manage the strong fumes. Make sure your cutting board is stable to prevent slipping, and use a sharp grater to minimize injury risks. Wash your hands well after handling horseradish to avoid contact with your eyes or face.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 ounce
- Calories: 51
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 85.7 mg
- Fat: 2.9 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.7 g
- Carbohydrates: 4.3 g
- Fiber: 0.5 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 3.6 mg