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Homemade Fire Cider Immune Tonic: Easy Apple Cider Vinegar Recipe

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This homemade fire cider immune tonic with apple cider vinegar is a spicy, potent, and honey-sweet wellness shot that supports your immune system through cold season. Made with simple ingredients like garlic, ginger, horseradish, and turmeric, it’s easy to prepare and perfect for daily use.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 medium onion, roughly chopped
  • 10 cloves garlic, smashed
  • 3 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
  • 3 tablespoons fresh horseradish, grated
  • 1 tablespoon turmeric root, grated (or 1 teaspoon dried turmeric)
  • 1 jalapeño or serrano pepper, sliced
  • 2 cups raw apple cider vinegar (with the mother)
  • ¼ cup raw honey
  • 1 teaspoon black peppercorns (optional)
  • 1 cinnamon stick (optional)
  • Zest of 1 lemon (optional)
  • A few sprigs of fresh rosemary or thyme (optional)

Instructions

  1. Prep your ingredients: Roughly chop the onion. Smash the garlic cloves with the flat side of your knife. Grate the ginger, horseradish, and turmeric. Slice the jalapeño into thin rings.
  2. Layer everything in a 32-ounce glass jar: Start with the onion and garlic at the bottom, then add the ginger, horseradish, turmeric, and pepper slices. If using optional add-ins like peppercorns or cinnamon stick, tuck them in between layers. Pack everything down gently with a wooden spoon or chopstick.
  3. Pour in the apple cider vinegar: Slowly pour the vinegar over the ingredients until they’re completely submerged. Poke around with a chopstick to release air bubbles. The vinegar should cover everything by at least an inch.
  4. Seal and shake: Put the lid on tight and give the jar a good shake. Label it with the date.
  5. Steep for 3-4 weeks: Store the jar in a cool, dark place. Give it a gentle shake every day or two. The color will deepen over time.
  6. Taste test around week 3: Dip a clean spoon in and taste it. It should be pungent, spicy, and slightly sweet. If you want it stronger, let it go another week.
  7. Strain the mixture: Line a strainer with cheesecloth and set it over a large bowl. Pour the entire contents through the strainer. Let it drip, then gather the cheesecloth and squeeze out every last drop. Discard the solids.
  8. Add the honey: While the liquid is at room temperature, stir in the raw honey until fully dissolved. Taste and adjust sweetness if desired.
  9. Bottle it up: Use a funnel to pour the finished fire cider into smaller bottles. Leave about half an inch of headspace. Seal tightly and store in the refrigerator.

Notes

Don’t skip the honey—it balances the vinegar’s sharpness. If your kitchen runs warm, burp the jar every few days to release pressure. For a milder version, skip the jalapeño and use half the horseradish. For extra spice, double the horseradish and add a habanero pepper. Store in the refrigerator for up to 6-12 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: fire cider, immune tonic, apple cider vinegar, homemade, wellness shot, cold season, natural remedy, ginger, turmeric, horseradish, garlic

Find it online: https://freshforkful.com/homemade-fire-cider-immune-tonic-easy-apple-cider-vinegar-recipe/