Immune-Boosting Fire Cider Tonic Best Homemade Recipe
This immune-boosting fire cider tonic with apple cider vinegar is a balanced, tangy, and spicy wellness shot that’s easy to make and perfect for cold season. It uses simple ingredients and requires only 20 minutes of active prep time before steeping on your counter for 3-4 weeks.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 3-4 weeks (steeping time) + 20 minutes active prep
- Yield: About 4 cups (32 servings of 1 tablespoon each) 1x
- Category: Wellness Tonic
- Cuisine: American
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (960 ml) raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- ½ cup (about 4 ounces) fresh ginger root, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (about 2 ounces) fresh turmeric root, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (about 2 ounces) horseradish root, peeled and chopped
- 10 garlic cloves, smashed
- 1 medium onion, chopped
- 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, sliced (optional)
- 1 lemon, sliced (organic recommended)
- 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
- 1 teaspoon whole black peppercorns
- ¼ cup (85 grams) raw honey, or more to taste
Instructions
- Wash all produce well. Slice ginger and turmeric into thin coins (about ⅛ inch thick). Smash garlic cloves. Chop onion into rough chunks. Slice jalapeño into rings. Cut lemon into thin rounds.
- Layer ingredients in a 1-quart glass jar, starting with ginger and turmeric, then horseradish and garlic, followed by onion, jalapeño, lemon slices, and rosemary. Pack tightly so the jar is about three-quarters full.
- Add whole black peppercorns.
- Pour apple cider vinegar over the ingredients until everything is completely submerged. Use a wooden spoon or chopstick to release air bubbles. Add more vinegar if needed.
- Seal the jar tightly and shake well.
- Store in a cool, dark place (around 65-75°F) for 3 to 4 weeks. Shake gently every few days.
- After 3 to 4 weeks, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth-lined strainer into a large bowl or measuring cup. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible.
- Stir in raw honey to taste, starting with ¼ cup and adding more until the flavor is pleasant but still has a kick.
- Transfer the finished fire cider into clean storage bottles using a funnel. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator.
Notes
Wear gloves when handling hot peppers and horseradish. Label the jar with the start date. If ingredients float above the vinegar line, use a clean weight or a smaller jar filled with water to hold them down. The tonic keeps for up to 6 months in the refrigerator, with best flavor within the first 3 months.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 tablespoon (15 ml)
- Calories: 15
- Sugar: 3
- Sodium: 2
- Carbohydrates: 4
Keywords: fire cider, immune-boosting tonic, apple cider vinegar, wellness shot, homemade fire cider, cold season remedy, ginger, turmeric, horseradish, garlic