Imagine spending just a few minutes making your own fire cider - chopping some simple ingredients, popping them in a jar and covering them with apple cider vinegar. Then in a few weeks, you have a homemade herbal tonic that has been enjoyed for generations, particularly during cold and flu season.

A hand holds a jar of fire cider filled with sliced vegetables, citrus, herbs, and spices, all immersed in liquid. The background is grassy and green.

Table of Contents

Why Fire Cider?

I decided to try making my own fire cider after a member of my mocktail community reached out to tell me she'd added a shot of her own to my apple cider mocktail for an extra fiery kick - with incredible results! That led to me going down a fire cider rabbit hole online (as I do!) and let me tell you, it was time well spent.

Usually made with ingredients like apple cider vinegar, ginger, garlic, citrus and herbs, fire cider is SO easy to make at home and can be adjusted to suit your tastes and what you have on hand. Enjoy it as a small daily shot, or add it to drinks, mocktails, soups, dressings and marinades for a spicy kick.

Why Try This Recipe

You can take this as a daily shot or dilute the intensity by adding to your morning juice or water.
So simple to make, and ingredients can be changed depending on what you have on hand.
Can be mixed into mocktail recipes to provide that “kick” or “fume” that often goes missing when we remove alcohol from a drink.

Equipment Needed

Mason jar
Strainer
A jar or bottle with an airtight lid for storing

Ingredients

Ingredients need to be fresh, but can be adapted to what you have on hand. Horseradish is often used, but I couldn't find any when I made mine! So for this recipe I used:

Red onion
Red chile - like habanero or jalapeno
Fresh garlic
Orange and Lemon - with peel
Turmeric Root - not powdered, see Tips section
Thyme
Rosemary
Cinnamon sticks
Star anise
Apple cider vinegar
Ginger
Honey - optional. I added this as a sweetener after everything sits for a couple of weeks and has been strained.

Note: you don't have to use as many ingredients as I have here.

How to Make Your Own Fire Cider

This recipe is super simple to make. Just don’t forget to give the mix a shake every couple of days.

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Chop all of your ingredients and add everything but the honey to a large, clean mason jar.

A person adds sliced carrots to a large glass jar filled with vegetables, citrus, and herbs, including oranges, onions, garlic, and rosemary.

2. Pour in the vinegar until ingredients are completely covered.

A glass jar filled with sliced oranges, garlic, chili peppers, onions, herbs, and spices, with liquid being poured in. The jar sits on a surface surrounded by fresh vegetables and flowers.

3. Secure the container lid tightly and shake contents vigorously. Place jar in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks. Shake every other day to mix. Strain into a large pitcher and stir in the honey (if using).

Place in a clean airtight jar or juice bottle and keep up to 5 months in a cool, dark place like your pantry or spice cabinet.

Tips & Tricks

Use fresh ingredients and herbs. Dried herbs and spices are not recommended.
You can grate the ginger, garlic, or turmeric root for a super potent tonic if you wish.
No need to peel the ginger before chopping or grating, but ensure it is washed thoroughly.
Horseradish is a lovely addition for extra kick.
Be sure to add the honey/sweetener after straining to preserve nutrients.
Avoid metal lids as vinegar can corrode the metal. If metal is the only option you have, line with parchment paper before sealing.
Write the end date on the jar and set a reminder on your phone, Alexa, or similar device to go off every couple days and remind you to shake the mixture.

NOTE: Turmeric and horseradish are both best in their natural root form. Check your local produce section where they keep the ginger or cassava root. If your local store doesn’t carry it, see if there is an Asian or Latin grocer market near you. They often carry more specialized produce. In a pinch, you can use prepared horseradish from a jar, but do not use powdered, ground turmeric.

How to Use It

Take a daily shot during cold and flu season, or start taking a daily shot if you start you feel unwell.
Mix into a glass of water or juice to dilute or add to my Ginger Beer Mocktail to give it an extra kick with added benefits.
Use in soups, marinades and more for an added nutrient boost.

How to Store

Store your homemade fire cider in an airtight jar or bottle, preferably with a plastic lid. The mixture will be good for up to 5 months when stored properly.

I hope you love making homemade fire cider as much as I do!