Homemade Fire Cider Recipe with Honey
Are you familiar with the term “fire cider” – some folks called it “fire honey”? This is a traditional folk remedy that herbalist have used for decades and for good reason. Honey fire cider is packed with immune-boosting roots, spices and just a bit of a wake-up kick. In this guide, I’ll show you how to make fire cider with honey – step by step.
As a beekeeper, one of my favorite activities is experimenting with easy honey recipes. Honey is a natural sweetener but it also adds some special health benefits to each recipe.
What is Honey Fire Cider?
Fire Cider is a colorful name for an herbal tonic developed in the mid- seventies, by a famous herbalist-Rosemary Gladstar.
A homemade concoction of ingredients believed to promote better health. Ms Gladstar’s original recipe was a strong mixture of onion, ginger, horseradish, cayenne pepper and garlic. It is easy to understand why she called it Fire Cider.
Today, there are many variations of the fire cider honey tonic recipe (also called Fire Honey).
Why This Honey-Infused Remedy Stands Out
Fire cider has continued to earn a following over the years. It is especially useful during the colder months of the year. People turn to it as a comforting home remedy when coughs, sniffles or scratchy throats appear.
The combination of spicy roots, vinegar and soothing honey creates a warm energizing tonic.
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 I don’t think it is nearly as beneficial.
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.
How to Make Fire Cider (Step by Step)
(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 on top of solids.
4. Add enough honey and vinegar to cover the solids ingredients. Add a tight lid and shake well. Set in room temperature spot and give a gentle daily shake.
After a few weeks, your fire cider tonic is ready to use. Strain out the solids and keep the liquid in a sealed container.
Variations
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.
How to Use
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.
In addition to flavored infusions, you might consider making natural honey cough drops for minor throat discomfort.
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.
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.
Honey Fire Cider is quite strong and contains raw ingredients. It is not recommended for small children and always consult your doctor before giving to older kids or immune compromised adults.
More Ideas with Honey
The use of honey for better health is a common practice. Honey with cinnamon added is another popular health regime for cold relief.
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.
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
I hope you enjoy trying this Fire Cider Honey Tonic Herbal Remedy during the cold and flu season this year. Making your spicy fire honey tonic is simple, fun and little magical. With just a few pantry staples and some patience you end up with a traditional, versatile brew. Give it a try, it might become your new winter ritual.
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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
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
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.