Name: Fire Cider Recipe: Spicy and Immune-Boosting
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 40340 min
Ingredients: 1 quart ACV; 1 cup horseradish; ½ cup ginger; ½ cup garlic; ½ cup onion; ¼ cup turmeric; 2 –3 hot peppers; ¼ cup rosemary; Zest of 2 oranges (1 lemon); Optional: Honey; Suggested Pairings: Tea (water)

Introduction

Table of Contents

Fire Cider is a spicy, immune-boosting tonic, perfect for fall wellness, cold season prevention, or herbal remedies. This traditional folk recipe, featuring a fiery infusion of apple cider vinegar with garlic, onion, ginger, and hot peppers, delivers pungent, invigorating flavor with potential health benefits. Presented in a white ceramic jar, optionally garnished with fresh herbs and citrus peels, this Fire Cider offers a rustic, vibrant aesthetic that elevates any apothecary shelf. This recipe provides a simple steeping method with pantry staples, adaptable for dietary preferences, ideal for home cooks seeking a go-to elixir that brings fiery, crowd-pleasing charm to any occasion.

Ingredients

For the Fire Cider:

1 quart apple cider vinegar (raw, unpasteurized)
1 cup fresh horseradish root, peeled and grated
½ cup fresh ginger, peeled and chopped
½ cup fresh garlic, peeled and chopped
½ cup onion, diced
¼ cup fresh turmeric root, peeled and grated (or 1 tbsp powder)
2–3 fresh hot peppers (jalapeño or cayenne), sliced
¼ cup fresh rosemary or thyme leaves
Zest of 2 oranges
Zest of 1 lemon

For Serving:

Optional: Fresh herbs, citrus peels
Suggested Accompaniments: Honey, tea
Suggested Pairings: Warm water, ginger ale
Suggested Aesthetic: Serve in a white ceramic jar
Suggested Equipment: Quart-sized glass jar, cheesecloth, fine-mesh strainer

Step-by-Step Process

Prepare Ingredients: Peel and chop horseradish, ginger, garlic, turmeric, and onion into small pieces—uniform size ensures even infusion. Use gloves for hot peppers and horseradish to avoid skin irritation. Slice peppers with seeds for heat; remove them for a milder version. Zest oranges and lemon with a microplane—avoid white pith for bitterness.
Layer in Jar: In a clean quart-sized glass jar, add horseradish, ginger, garlic, onion, turmeric, peppers, herbs, and citrus zests. This layering allows flavors to mingle gradually during steeping. Pack loosely—do not compress tightly.
Pour Vinegar: Slowly pour apple cider vinegar over ingredients until fully submerged, leaving 1 inch headspace. Use a spoon to press down any floating pieces, ensuring all are covered. The vinegar extracts compounds and acts as a preservative.
Seal and Steep: Secure lid tightly. Store in a cool, dark cabinet for 4–6 weeks. Shake the jar daily to agitate and redistribute solids. The longer steep, the more intense the flavor—4 weeks for mild, 6 for robust.
Strain and Bottle: After steeping, line a fine-mesh strainer with cheesecloth over a bowl. Pour mixture into a strainer; press gently with a spoon to extract liquid. Discard solids or compost. Bottle-strained fire cider in clean glass jars. Label with date and dilution instructions.
Taste and Adjust: Taste a small sip—dilute 1 tbsp in 8 oz water if too potent. Adjust by adding honey for sweetness or more vinegar for tang.
Store for Use: Seal jars tightly. Store in a cool, dark place up to 1 year. Refrigerate after opening.

Tips for Better Fire Cider

Grate fresh roots—more surface area for extraction
Use raw ACV with mother probiotics to enhance benefits
Shake daily during steeping—prevents settling
Strain when fully infused—over-steeping turns bitter
Presented in a white ceramic jar to showcase the amber hue
Make in batches for gifting
Freeze in ice cube trays for portioned doses
Enhance aesthetic: tie with twine and herb sprigs

Variations and Customization

Mild Fire Cider: Omit hot peppers; add orange segments.
Turmeric-Free: Replace with extra ginger for simplicity.
Honey-Sweetened: Infuse ½ cup of honey in vinegar first.
Spicy Version: Add habanero or horseradish powder.
Vegan: Naturally vegan.
Herb Variation: Swap rosemary for turmeric or oregano.
Citrus Burst: Add grapefruit zest.
Tincture Style: Steep 8 weeks for a concentrated shot.

Storage and Serving Tips

Store unopened in a cool, dark place up to 1 year.
Refrigerate after opening up to 6 months.
Do not freeze—vinegar expands.
Take 1 tbsp daily or in tea for wellness.
Pair with warm water or ginger ale to dilute.
Present in a white ceramic jar with garnishes for rustic, elegant charm.

Nutritional Information

Based on 48 servings (1 tbsp each):

Calories: 5 kcal
Total Fat: 0g
Cholesterol: 0mg
Sodium: 0mg
Total Carbohydrates: 1g
Dietary Fiber: 0g
Sugars: 0g
Protein: 0g
Vitamin A: 0% Daily Value
Vitamin C: 2% Daily Value
Calcium: 0% Daily Value
Iron: 0% Daily Value

Note: Values approximate; honey or herbs add minimal calories. Naturally low-carb, vegan.

Conclusion

This Fire Cider recipe creates a spicy, immune-boosting tonic with bold, layered flavor. It transforms pungent roots into a potent elixir. Its long-steep method and rustic presentation make it a go-to. The fiery kick and citrus zing delight every sip. It’s sure to be a cherished recipe, loved for its healthful, crowd-pleasing charm.