Homemade Fire Cider Recipe with Honey
Fire cider is a traditional herbal tonic made by infusing apple cider vinegar with fiery ingredients like ginger, garlic, onion and horseradish. In this easy fire cider honey recipe, a little honey is added to balance the tangy heat and make it more enjoyable to use. And while you may hear the term “fire honey,” it’s actually something a bit different—we’ll clear that up too!
As a beekeeper, one of my favorite activities is experimenting with easy honey recipes. Honey is a natural sweetener but many believe it also adds some special goodness to each recipe.
What is Fire Cider?
Fire Cider is a colorful name for an herbal tonic developed in the mid- seventies, by a famous herbalist-Rosemary Gladstar.
Her original recipe was a strong mixture of onion, ginger, horseradish, cayenne pepper and garlic infused in apple cider vinegar . It is easy to understand why she called it Fire Cider.
Today, there are many variations of the original recipe. Most include a combination of spicy roots and herbs infused in vinegar, with honey added after steeping to provide a touch of sweetness.
Fire Cider vs. Fire Honey: What’s the Difference?
While the names are often used interchangeably (I’m guilty too), fire cider and fire honey are not quite the same things.
Fire cider is made by infusing spicy ingredients in apple cider vinegar. This process takes several weeks. Then the solids are strained out and some type of sweetener added.
Fire honey starts with honey are the main ingredient rather than vinegar. Hot peppers, intense spices or other ingredients are infused into the honey. This create a sweet and spicy condiment.
This recipe is for fire cider made with honey. The apple cider vinegar is used for the infusion. Honey is only added to help balance out the fiery flavor.
Ingredients You’ll Need
This list includes variations for some ingredients – that can be substituted:
- honey – or maple syrup or agave for a vegan version
- apple cider vinegar – or white wine vinegar or even rice vinegar
- ginger root – fresh ginger root is best – but powdered ginger can be used
- onion – or hot peppers like jalapenos
- garlic – fresh cloves are best
- horseradish – or a bit of wasabi root
- thyme
Honey: Any type of honey (wildflower, clover, etc) will work. Raw honey is always a good choice but what use what you have. It is good to keep some in the pantry because of the many different uses for honey.
Apple Cider Vinegar: Try to find the one with the “mother”. ACV is not the same thing as white vinegar – read the label. You can use white vinegar but most people prefer the taste of apple cider vinegar.
Ginger root: You should be able to find a plump ginger root in the produce section of your local grocery. Don’t get a dried out wrinkled one.
Onions and Garlic: Basic sweet onions and nice garlic cloves are just fine.
Horseradish: I actually had to order fresh horseradish online but you may find some at the local grocery or health food store if you live in a more populated region.
Thyme: My recipe calls for a bit of thyme but it is optional.
Step by Step Instructions
(Full instructions in Card Below)
1. Prepare ingredients (peel and chop as needed). Honey and vinegar should be room temperature.
2. Place solid ingredients in a glass jar (quart size).
3. Sprinkle dried thyme over other ingredients.
4. Add the vinegar. Pour in enough apple cider vinegar to completely cover the ingredients. Add a tight-fitting lid and shake well. Keep the jar at room temperature and give it a gentle shake each day.
Strain and add honey – After 3–4 weeks, strain out and discard the solids. Stir the honey into the remaining liquid and pour your finished fire cider into a clean, tightly sealed jar.
Variations – Easy Ways to Customize It
In addition, to experimenting with different honey varieties, some people add turmeric or hot chili pepper to their recipe.
This includes using hot honey – Jalapeno Honey. Other recipes for this tonic include lemon and other aromatic herbs. You are free to experiment to get the flavor you desire.
Ways to Use Your Homemade Fire Cider
This is a very versatile tonic and can be used in several different ways. Many people simply take a spoonful a day, but you can incorporate it into other foods.
- Stir into warm tea – especially herbal tea (honey sweeten tea is very soothing)
- Add to salad dressings
- Include in marinades for chicken, pork or vegetables
- Add a spoonful to soups or stews
This vinegar-based liquid also functions well in your favorite vinaigrette recipes. Try a little in your next soup or salad. It makes a good marinade too – just like this honey teriyaki sauce.
Storage – Shelf Life
Storing your honey fire cider is so easy. Thanks to the vinegar and honey, it is naturally preserved for quite a long time.
For best results, store in a clean glass jar with a tight lid. It will stay fresh in a cool, dark pantry for several months and up at a year in the refrigerator. (I heartily recommend the refrigeration – it just feels safer).
Check the look and smell periodically and discard if you notice anything unusual.
FAQs
Most people let the ingredients infuse for 3-4 weeks.
Honey is traditional but you can use maple syrup or agave if desired.
No, fire cider is made using a base of apple cider vinegar with honey added for sweetness. Fire honey does not use vinegar – it has a honey base.
Some people do not store fire cider in the refrigerator but I recommend doing so.
More Ideas with Honey
There are so many ways to use honey. Honey with cinnamon is a favorite drink of mine during Winter.
Looking for just a simple syrup that goes down smooth? My homemade honey cough syrup is a suitable idea.
And, this honey, lemon, ginger infusion is very soothing for sore throats caused by post nasal drip. This one can be hurried along a bit – it doesn’t take weeks to make.
In addition to flavored infusions, you might consider making natural honey cough drops for minor throat discomfort.
Baking with honey is a common practice. However, it is also great in healthier options such as Honey Lime Fruit Salad.
Or you can make healthy honey gummy bears for the kids.
Final Thoughts
Making fire cider with honey is an easy way to put a few simple ingredients to good use. The combination of spicy roots, apple cider vinegar and a touch of honey creates a bold, tangy tonic that you can adjust to suit your own taste.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with the ingredients—that’s half the fun of making your own. And, of course, I think a little extra honey makes almost everything better!
Medical Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional and this is not meant to be medicine. Consult your doctor before trying this or any herbal remedy. Just because it is natural – does not mean it is safe for everyone.
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Homemade Honey Fire Cider Recipe
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Read my disclosure.Equipment
- large jar with lid
Ingredients
- 2 cups Apple Cider Vinegar
- 1/2 cup honey
- 3 ounces ginger root
- 3 ounces chopped sweet onion
- 1 1/2 ounces garlic cloves – peeled
- 1 1/2 ounces chopped Horseradish Root
- 1 Tablespoon dried Thyme
Instructions
- Combine the chopped ginger root, sweet onion, horseradish and garlic cloves in the bottom of a glass jar. Sprinkle the dried Thyme on top.
- Add enough Apple Cider Vinegar to cover the ingredients. Put a lid on the jar and shake briskly. Put the sealed jar in a room temperature spot where you can give it a little shake daily.
- After 3 -4 weeks, strain the liquid from the solids. Discard the solid materials. Add 1/2 cup of honey to the liquid – it is ready to use. Store in a tightly sealed jar. Kept in the refrigerator it will last up to a year.