How to Make Homemade Fire Cider (with Honey)- Carolina Honeybees

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.

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

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