How to Make Fire Cider: Immune-Boosting Tonic for Cold and Flu Season

You may have heard the term “fire cider” in the last few years – while it’s been around for ages, it’s only recently gained popularity through the rise of holistic medicine and homesteading. This delicious herbal fire cider is the best way to help boost your immune system during the low vitamin D season. This recipe is derived from Rosemary Gladstar’s holistic recipes making an apple cider vinegar fire cider.

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What Is Fire Cider and Why is it so Popular?

Fire cider is a traditional herbal tonic made with apple cider vinegar, spices, fruits, citrus, alliums and more. Combining a specific set of ingredients to steep for weeks allows the beneficial aspects to combine into a powerful, tablespoon shot to health. Apple cider vinegar fire cider’s bold, spicey flavour is my favourite boost in the morning.

This herbal tonic has been popular in folk herbalism for God only knows how long for it’s immune and digestive support. Fire cider gained popularity through the holistic/homesteading movement over the last few years. There’s been a big shift and realization amongst people that plants grown on this earth are meant to help us be as healthy as possible. We are now tasked with re-learning and remembering what our ancestors once knew.

What Ingredients Do You Need to Make Fire Cider?

• Base: the base of fire cider is raw apple cider vinegar. When purchasing it must say, “with the ‘mother'” on it. The mother is the beneficial bacteria needed to make the fire cider.
• Citrus: use lemon, orange, or grapefruit slices at the bottom of your container, it’s all based on your own preference. Citrus is filled with vitamin C that helps fight off colds.
• Alliums: this is garlic and onion. They don’t need to be tiny, just a rough chop to allow their nutrients to steep.
  • Growing your own alliums is so rewarding – learn how to grow Garlic in Zone 5 – it’s trickier than you think.
• Hot Peppers: Use cayenne or jalapenos, this helps boost your circulation.
  • Use your own when possible – need some growing tips? Here’s our Pepper Growing Guide to get started!
• Spices: ginger, turmeric, black pepper. Use dried or fresh spices, it doesn’t matter. Black pepper must always be used with turmeric as it helps absorption.
• Herbs: top with herbs like thyme, rosemary, and oregano.

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What is ‘The Mother’ in Apple Cider Vinegar?

‘The mother’ is the name of the beneficial bacteria formed during the fermentation process – which is considered to be probiotic. A very basic explanation to making apple cider vinegar is a simple combination of apple and yeast, which ferments into an alcohol (hello mead making process), then the bacteria in that process turns the alcohol acidic, making vinegar. Learn more about apple cider vinegar from this link.

How Do You Make Homemade Fire Cider Step-by-Step?

• Chop and prepare all of your ingredients then add to a clean glass mason jar and cover with apple cider vinegar.
• Seal with a lid (freezer safe is my preferred type because it’s plastic). If using a regular lid, add parchment under the metal lid to prevent corrosion (see my images for an example).
• Leave on your counter (in a cool/dark place) and shake daily and let steep for 3-6 weeks.
• Once finished steeping, strain the liquid into your desired container and add in raw honey to taste. Always use raw honey because of it’s beneficial enzymes, anti-bacterial, and anti-viral properties.

How Do You Use Fire Cider in Daily Life?

Take 1-2 tablespoons daily as a wellness tonic. I like to add it in a shot glass and take it after I’ve had my coffee or breakfast. Other ways to use it can be in salad dressing, marinades, soups, broths, sauces, and more. Some even add it in their tea!

Best taken on a full stomach so the beneficial components can be absorbed better. Taking it on an empty stomach can cause some upset – been there, don’t do it.

What Are the Health Benefits of Fire Cider?

• Supports immune health with it’s high levels of vitamin C
• Promotes digestion and gut health
• Helps clear sinuses and reduce congestion
• Provides anti-microbial and anti-inflammatory compounds from roots and herbs
• Boosts circulation and energy levels

What Are The Fire Cider Tonic Ingredient Benefits?

• Lemon: High in vitamin C and helps with inflammation
• Onion: Anti-bacterial, anti-fungal and helps with detoxification
• Peppers: High in vitamin C and iron, and decreases inflammation
• Ginger: Anti-bacterial and decreases inflammation
• Thyme: expectorant, and supports respiratory system
• Rosemary: anti-inflammatory and pain reliever
• Turmeric: Reduces inflammation and more
• Black Pepper: Needed to absorb turmeric
• Garlic: Potassium and vitamin C
• Apple Cider Vinegar: anti-microbial, increases digestion and clears sinuses
• Honey: anti-viral, anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial

How Long Does Homemade Fire Cider Last?

The best part of herbal fire cider is it’s longevity – it is shelf stable for up to 1 year when stored in a cool, dark place. The apple cider vinegar preserves the ingredients and prevents spoilage. Store in the fridge to extend freshness – I prefer mine in the refrigerator.

How Do I Learn About Medicinal Herbs and Their Benefits?

It’s a marathon, not a sprint. The vast knowledge about every single plant and it’s benefits feel endless. Finding books from herbalists or learning about specific plants in your area you come across frequently is the best place to start. You build your knowledge base one plant and benefit at a time.

When I started my journey, I purchased Rosemary Gladstar’s Medicinal Herb’s A Beginner’s Guide and it’s taught me so much. I leave it on my mantel and review whenever I see a new plant or want to learn more about something. It’s a great starting place.

Reviewing detailed webpages on specific plants is also a good way to learn. I’ve done a few detailed articles on my favourite medicinal plants including:

• Mullein – The Tall Fuzzy Plant that is Also an Expectorant
• Dandelions – The Miracle Weed
• Goldenrod – The ‘To Make Whole’ Plant That’s Commonly Mistaken for Ragweed

Can You Customize Fire Cider Recipes?

Yes you certainly can! It all comes down to preference. Adjust heat levels with more or less hot peppers, add herbs like oregano or mullein for added benefits. Other common ingredients include:

• horseradish (for congestion relief)
• maple syrup (to balance the heat of the hot peppers)

Are There Any Side Effects or Precautions with Fire Cider?

Like all traditional fold herbal remedies, there’s no money in it for big pharma so therefore it’s not heavily researched and therefore cannot be recommended. But these are the ‘precautions’: the strong flavor can upset sensitive stomachs (I don’t recommend taking it on an empty stomach), the high acidity can affect tooth enamel so people recommend rinsing with water after use. If you have a vinegar sensitivty, don’t make fire cider. Of course, if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding consult a healthcare professional. I’ve personally taken it breastfeeding and it made no impact on baby.

FAQ on Fire Cider

Can fire cider really prevent colds or flu?

There’s no reliable evidence that fire cider prevents illness. Immune-boosting effects haven’t been clinically proven, and many health professionals urge relying on proven practices instead. (Note my paragraph above – it’s natural and there’s no harm in boosting your system with known beneficial plants).

What if I want to omit honey – will that change storage?

Yes. Omitting honey makes the cider spicier, and its shelf life shortens. Without honey, it’s best consumed within 3 months. I don’t recommend this.

Can I use unpasteruized or pasteruized honey instead of raw honey to make fire cider?

Probably – raw honey has the most nutrients and beneficial enzymes, anti-viral and anti-bacterial properties. I don’t see why using other alternatives to raw should effect the fire cider process. However, I would recommend just sticking with raw since the goal is to be natural and holistic with these traditional home remedies.

Can children take fire cider safely?

Yes, children older than 12 months can take fire cider, but keep honey use in mind. For infants under 12 months, honey is unsafe due to the risk of botulism. From personal experience – they don’t like it.

Does fire cider have probiotics like apple cider vinegar?

Yes – if you use raw, unpasteurized apple cider vinegar with the “mother,” fire cider will retain beneficial bacteria and enzymes throughout the infusion process.

Can fire cider go bad?

If stored properly in a sealed jar with vinegar covering all ingredients, fire cider rarely spoils. Signs it’s gone bad include mold, cloudiness, off smells, or a slimy texture.

Is fire cider the same as apple cider vinegar?

No. Apple cider vinegar is just the base. Fire cider is an herbal infusion made by steeping vinegar with roots, herbs, and spices for several weeks.

Can you buy fire cider instead of making it?

Yes. Fire cider is sold by various herbal brands, but it’s often more cost-effective to make at home. Homemade versions also let you control spice level, ingredients, and freshness.

The Bottom Line on Fire Cider: A Spicy Tradition Worth Trying

Fire cider is more than just a fiery tonic – it’s a time-honored herbal remedy that brings warmth, bold flavor, and a boost of nutrients into your daily routine. While scientific studies on its health claims are limited (thanks big pharma!), the combination of vinegar, fruit, and spices has been valued in folk traditions for generations. Whether you sip it straight, stir it into soups, or drizzle it over salads, fire cider is an easy way to add both flavor and wellness to your kitchen. If you’ve been curious about trying it, making your own batch at home is simple, customizable, and cost-effective. Give it a try this season, your taste buds (and your immune system) may thank you.

We also have plently of growing guides, seed saving guides and our recipes. We are growing our website with more articles all the time, and we invite you to grow with us. If you have any questions about fire cider or would like to share some of your knowledge with us please leave a comment below. Happy Gardening!