Fire cider recipes are everywhere and have been passed down thru generations of families and especially the healing grannies who used these concoctions to stave off colds, the flu and to get things moving. The name fire cider has been preserved for all of us after Rosemary Gladstar rescued and litigated the name of “Fire cider” from being co-opted.  This name unites us around an old time health drink describing its actions. Let’s make this a regular part of our food making for the wintertime. Below is Rosemary’s base for fire cider including our own experience with this powerful tonic and with inspiration form Erin Vanhee, Folk herbalist. For fun we added a few suggestions of ingredients that we like to add to our own cider – There are as many Fire Cider recipes as there are herbalists! Feel free to adapt this basic recipe to fit your own needs and tastes. We carry Rosemary’s fire cider book where you can find more variations.

Rosemary’s Fire Cider Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup Horseradish freshly grated
• 1/2 cup or more Onions chopped
• 1/4 cup or more Garlic chopped
• 1/4 cup or more Ginger freshly grated
• Cayenne pepper fresh (chop it up) or dried (flaked or ground), to taste – optional.
• Apple cider vinegar preferably raw and organic
• Honey
• To really add power to this dynamic tonic – Erin has suggested we add some fresh or powdered tumeric or fresh jalepeno peppers.
• This year I’ve added dried blood oranges and a titch of thyme from my garden.

Instructions

1. Place chopped ingredients in a half-gallon mason jar and add enough vinegar to cover them by 3 to 4 inches. Seal the jar with a tight-fitting lid. Place the jar in a warm spot and let sit for 3 to 4 weeks. Shake the jar every day to help in the maceration process.
2. After 3 to 4 weeks, strain out the herbs, reserving the liquid. Warm the honey (so that it will mix in well) and add it to the vinegar, to taste. “To taste” means that your Fire Cider should be hot, spicy and sweet.
3. Bottle, label and enjoy! Your Fire Cider will keep for several months un-refrigerated if stored in a cool pantry. But it’s better to store in the refrigerator if you have room.

Notes: A small shot glass daily serves as an excellent tonic – or Fire Cider is often taken by teaspoons throughout the day when folks feel something coming on.