Standard Fire Cider Recipe (and How to Customize It!) (2024)

Knowing the “standard” fire cider recipe gives you a great foundation to get started with creating this homemade herbal tonic. You can make the standard recipe or add other ingredients to your fire cider to customize it to your own preferences!

I know, the ingredient list can seem offputting at best. But the benefits are out of this world. The standard fire cider recipe is great...but I like to toss in some additional components to customize it. I do this not only for the added benefits but also to change the flavor a bit. Make it in multiple small jars with a different combination in each or a large batch of the standard recipe!

Every year, I’m always late making my fire cider. Cold and flu season has a tendency to sneak up on me, especially if the weather stays warm a bit longer than usual. Don’t worry if you’re in the same boat as me! You can still make it now to have for the winter months ahead.

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Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of individual medical care.

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When I’m creating anything with herbs, I make a point of doing all my prep beforehand. It’s the little things like sterilizing jars, making sure you have all the ingredients on hand, checking that you have a cool dark place with space for storage, etc. Since I will be shaking my fire cider daily, I want to be sure I store it where I will be able to easily take a moment every day to tend to it. I never want to store this somewhere where it will either require me going too out of my way for or worse...put it somewhere it will be forgotten until it stinks! (Nobody wants to play “follow that smell!” and trust me, I’ve done it!)

This warming and immune-supportive herbal tonic is a necessity during this time of year. Whether you make the standard recipe or customize it a bit, you will most certainly be happy to have it on hand all season long. I also keep other herbal preparations on hand such as my calendula salve for when my skin becomes dry and damaged from the cold.

Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is for educational purposes only, and is not intended to take the place of individual medical care.

What is Fire Cider?

Fire cider is a homemade herbal tonic that helps support your immune system, aid in digestion, improve circulation, and so much more! It is prepared and kept on hand to use all throughout cold and flu season to naturally support your immune system.

How Often Should I Take Fire Cider?

A small amount every day is all you need. Traditionally, fire cider is taken as a small shot daily as a little boost. But here are a few other ways you can get your daily dose without needing to plug your nose!

• Mix it with honey! Adding honey to your fire cider is a quick and easy way to take it in the morning and go about your day.
• Use your fire cider on your salad as a homemade dressing. Along with some olive oil, this is sure to be a delicious addition to a lunch or dinner salad.
• Add it to some warm water to drink as a hot tea. (Tip: You can also add honey to this newly prepared fire cider tea!)
• Mix it into some juice! Add a shot to your morning orange juice or whatever you prefer to make it more palatable.
• Add in your fire cider while making rice. It will absorb in and make for a healthy addition to your meal. (Tip: Start making your rice with homemade chicken broth along with your shot of fire cider for some extra support.)

What is Fire Cider Made of?

Fire cider is a blend of ingredients infused in apple cider vinegar. To make it you will use a mix of vegetables, fruits, herbs, and spices.

Let’s Talk About the standard recipe ingredients...

• Raw apple cider vinegar (with the mother) – This is your solvent so that your tonic is more of a food as opposed to a tincture that uses an alcohol base. This allows it to be taken any time of day by people of various ages. It also helps it to not have that alcohol medicinal sort of taste.
• Garlic (Allium Sativum) – The star culinary herb of just about every kitchen. Garlic has also been referred to as “poor man’s penicillin” as it is famed for having antibacterial and antiviral properties. It is also known for having been used in the Four Thieves Vinegar that was used by grave robbers during the Black Plague.
• Onion – Full of antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, onions are a welcomed addition to the standard fire cider recipe.
• Horseradish – This ingredient is more commonly known as being a condiment. It is actually a root vegetable! It is known for aiding in digestion as well as helping with congestion as it opens your sinuses.
• Ginger (Zingiber Officinale) – An anti-inflammatory and digestive aid that is a staple in just about every little old lady’s home remedy guide!
• Cayenne Powder (Capsicum Annuum) – Another digestive aid that also is believed to protect the stomach against different infections. This ingredient is sure to be felt once taken internally as it has quite a kick!

Here is how I prepare my standard fire cider recipe for cold and flu season.

What You Need

Quart size glass jar(s)

Knife

Cutting board

Parchment paper OR a plastic lid

Fine-mesh strainer

Optional: cheesecloth

Ingredients

Note: Measurements will vary based on the size of the jar you use! This is for a quart-size jar.

2 cups raw apple cider vinegar (with the mother) or enough to cover ingredients.

1-2 heads of garlic.

½ of an onion, any color you choose.

½ cup of horseradish OR weigh it to equal the weight of your half onion

¼ cup (or half the weight of your onion) ginger

¼ teaspoon cayenne powder

½ cup raw honey (local if you can source it!)

Optional Additions To Customize Fire Cider

Jalapeño peppers

Orange

Lemon

Grapefruit

Cranberries

Pomegranate

Rosemary

Thyme

Cinnamon sticks

Cloves

Tumeric

Peppercorns

And so much more!

Standard Fire Cider Recipe (and How to Customize It!)

1. Roughly chop equal parts onion, garlic, and horseradish. Place all of it including the skins in your sterilized jar.
2. Thinly slice or grate half a part of your ginger (skin on) and add it to the jar.
3. Measure out a quarter teaspoon or less of cayenne powder.
4. Optional: add in your extras now! Use half a part of your base ingredients for each addition. Customize it to your liking!
5. Cover ingredients with apple cider vinegar completely. Leaving anything exposed can cause your fire cider to go bad!
6. Place the lid on. Use parchment paper between the glass and a metal lid OR use a plastic lid.
7. Shake vigorously to combine your ingredients and to be sure the apple cider vinegar is between all the components. You do not want any air bubbles!
8. Store in a cool dark place for 4 weeks. Shake the jar daily.
9. After 4 weeks, take your jar and strain it with a fine-mesh strainer.
10. Add in raw honey, mix well!
11. Store it in a glass jar in a cool dark place and take a small amount daily!

Recipe Notes

• Measurements will vary based on the size of the jar you use! This is for a quart-size jar.
• If you are using a jar of horseradish and not chopping it fresh, just be sure there’s NO cream in it!
• Disclaimer: This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to take the place of individual medical care.

What will you add to your fire cider to customize it? Or will you keep to the standard recipe? Leave a comment to let me know!