Last Updated on June 1, 2025 by Nico
Fire cider is a simple way to help boost your immune system all year round. In this post learn about fire cider benefits and how to make it.
I’m going to be honest. When I read the ingredients in fire cider, I was like – nope. No thanks. I’ll stick to faux cherry cold syrup and paracetamol. The idea of drinking ginger, garlic, horseradish, onion, and hot peppers, all steeped in apple cider vinegar sounded… crazy to me.
(This simple thyme syrup for coughs and colds is a milder tasting option if you’re already feeling under the weather!)
But as I kept digging around online for natural cold and flu remedies I could make at home, the more I came across fire cider. And people singing its praises. The name itself originates from Rosemary Gladstar, the famed herbalist who also created the most popular fire cider recipe. Although she is quick to remind that combining apple cider vinegar with cayenne pepper and other spicy ingredients has been used by herbalists for hundreds of years.
The benefits of the fire cider brew stem from each constituent ingredient’s health benefits. Let’s go through them one by one and then I’ll tell you how to make your own fire cider.
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Fire cider benefits
The most common ingredients seem to be: raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar, garlic, horseradish, onion, and ginger.
Some benefits of apple cider vinegar – Raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar is a potent probiotic. A huge percentage of our immune system comes from our gut. By consuming healthy probiotics, we can support a healthy gut and our immune system.
Benefits of garlic
Garlic is believed to have anti-microbial properties that can help our immune systems to fight off colds and flus. Raw garlic is said to be most potent in supporting immunity.
Benefits of horseradish
Similar hot peppers, horseradish can increase our blood flow which can help to clear sinuses and clear our mucus. Please note that it is recommended pregnant and nursing mothers do not consume horseradish. You can omit it from fire cider recipes if you’re pregnant or nursing.
Benefits of onion
Onions have a variety of antioxidants, which help to repair cellular damage. Onions also are said to have antibacterial properties which is another reason they’re a good addition to fire cider.
Benefits of ginger
Ginger has a long history of use in traditional medicine. It can help to reduce nausea and support digestion. It also has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects, which is why it’s a great addition to fire cider.
How to make fire cider at home
The recipe I am sharing below is a variation on Rosemary Gladstar’s original recipe. Her recipe can be found here.
Ingredients
Raw and unfiltered apple cider vinegar
Fresh ginger – chopped or grated
Dried horseradish. Please note that horseradish is not recommended for pregnant or nursing women. Simply omit it if this applies!
Onion – chopped
Garlic – minced or chopped
Hot peppers
The zest of lemon
Rosemary
Turmeric, ground
Black pepper
Honey
For complete measurements, see the printable recipe card below.
Instructions
Chop/grate everything
Put all the ingredients into a glass mason jar. I normally use a quart jar.
Pour apple cider vinegar over everything until the jar is completely full.
Seal the jar – do not let metal touch the acid mixture. Either use a jar with a plastic ring seal or add parchment paper between the ring seal and mixture.
Leave it to sit on the counter for 8 weeks. Try to shake it every few days to keep everything moving.
Strain it off.
Add honey to taste. (In my experience while the honey helps, get be ready for some spice!)
Store in the fridge. I’ve read that it can be stored up for a year.
Drink it daily or when you feel a cold coming on. Shake the bottle before pouring out your dose.
FAQ
In the colder seasons, I take 1-2 tablespoons every day as a preventative. If you feel yourself getting ill, you can up the dose.
1. Straight: embrace the flavour and sip it straight!
2. As a salad dressing: a more subtle option
3. As a marinade: this sounds delicious!
Try These Other Natural Remedies
How To Make Elderberry Tincture
How To Make Echinacea Tincture
Simple Garlic Tea For Coughs And Colds
Elderflower Tincture – Simple Homemade Recipe
Simple Elderberry Gummies Recipe
Simple Thyme Syrup For Coughs And Colds
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Fire Cider Benefits And A Simple Fire Cider Recipe
round. In this post learn about fire cider benefits and how to make it.
Ingredients
Method
- Chop/grate everything.
- Put all the ingredients into a glass mason jar. I normally use a quart jar.
- Pour apple cider vinegar over everything until the jar is completely full.
- Seal the jar – do not let metal touch the acid mixture. Either use a jar with a plastic ring seal or add parchment paper between the ring seal and mixture.
- Leave it to sit on the counter for 8 weeks. Try to shake it every few days to keep everything moving.
- After 8 weeks, strain it off.
- Add honey to taste. (In my experience while the honey helps, get be ready for some spice!)
- Store in the fridge. I’ve read that it can be stored up for a year.
- Drink it daily or when you feel a cold coming on. Shake the bottle before pouring out your dose.
Nutrition
Video
Notes
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!I’m not a medical professional and do not intend to offer medical advice in any content I create. As always, do your own research and speak to your doctor or paediatricians.
If I can’t have honey or sugar, what else could I use? Or can I omit the honey? If so, does that affect the shelf stability?
You can add maple syrup if you have that but it won’t have the same benefits as honey. But it’s totally fine to just omit the sweetness completely. The vinegar will do the preserving so you don’t need to worry about that!
can you please show the recipes with amounts, sizes of herbs used like garlic roots. I need to have specific amount and mixtures. I’m new at this and I don’t want to make something that I can’t even use.
Hey, no problem! Here’s a link to the recipe with exact measurements: https://documentingsimpleliving.com/fire-cider-benefits/#mv-creation-2-jtr