Fire Cider: A Folk Remedy for Resilience
It all begins with an idea.
As the seasons shift here on the mountain and the air grows more crisp - and our kids come home covered in gross germs from school - our immune systems call for a little extra warmth and protection. One of my favorite herbal tonics for this time of year is Fire Cider — a spicy, invigorating infusion traditionally crafted to awaken the senses, clear congestion, support digestion and boost immunity. It’s also big fun to watch a newbie shoot fire cider.
The Story Behind Fire Cider
Fire Cider was popularized in the 1970s by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, though its roots trace back to old European oxymel and vinegar tonic traditions. Designed to stimulate circulation, fight off colds, and add fiery energy to our cold winter days, this folk recipe has been beloved, and adapted, by home herbalists everywhere — each with their own touches and flair.
If you haven’t seen the video that Chelsea Braddish (aka Nettlehag) and I made on how to make fire cider, be sure to check it out!
(And if you don’t have each and every one of the ingredients — that’s okay. I live on a remote mountain where none of my 2 markets, nor my friends’ gardens, have horseradish. I even went down into the closest town and couldn’t find it there, either. But I’m not stressin. There’s already a ton of vitamins and immune boosting properties in this recipe, me and my fam are good! If you can’t find fresh rosemary or the illusive horseradish, shrug and keep going. It’s going to be great!)
At Wild + Craft, we see Fire Cider as more than just a health tonic — it’s a ritual of reconnection. Each batch is unique, and a celebration of the wild, the cultivated, and the alchemy of patience as your jar transforms over six weeks from a bundle of raw roots and herbs into fiery, liquid gold.
🌿 The Ritual of Making Fire Cider
The process of letting your ingredients infuse can be a grounding, sensory act. You chop, you pour, you shake — and you wait. Each week, the ingredients merge and mellow, creating a spicy elixir that, once combined with local honey, you can sip straight, mix into dressings, or stir into warm water.
Wild + Craft Fire Cider Recipe
Suggested Ingredients (bc, you know, add whatever you can):
1 cup fresh ginger root, chopped
1 cup horseradish root, chopped
1 medium onion (yellow, white, or red), chopped
10-16 cloves garlic, smashed or sliced
1–2 jalapeños, sliced
1-2 lemons, sliced
1 lime, sliced
Zest and juice of 1 orange
2–3 sprigs rosemary and / or thyme
1/2 cup fresh turmeric root, peeled and sliced (your fingers will temporarily turn orange)
1 teaspoon black peppercorns
Raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar to cover
Honey, to taste (we add this after the infusing and straining)
Directions:
Add all the chopped roots, herbs, and citrus to a clean quart-size glass jar.
Pour apple cider vinegar over the ingredients until they’re completely submerged, plus an extra inch or two.
Seal with a non-metal lid (or line with parchment) to prevent corrosion.
Label and store in a cool, dark place for 4–6 weeks, shaking gently every few days to help the ingredients merge and mingle.
After infusing, strain through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a clean jar.
Add honey to taste — enough to balance the heat without dulling its spark.
💛 Ways to Enjoy
Take 1 tablespoon daily as a wellness tonic.
Mix into salad dressings, marinades, or Bloody Marys. Yumm.
Add to warm water with honey and lemon for a cozy morning ritual.
Gift small bottles to loved ones as a gesture of care and vitality.
Refrigeration isn’t required if you store it in a cool, dark pantry and consume it within a few months, but refrigeration does extend its shelf life to six months or longer.