Name: Fire Cider
Yield: About 3 cups
Ingredients: 1/2 cup fresh horseradish root, grated; 1/2 cup fresh ginger, grated; 1 medium onion, chopped; 10 cloves garlic, chopped; 2 jalapeño or habanero peppers, chopped (include seeds for more heat); Zest and juice of 2 lemons; 2 tablespoons dried rosemary (or several fresh sprigs); 1 tablespoon ground turmeric (or 2 tablespoons fresh, grated); 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper; 3 cups raw apple cider vinegar; 1/4 cup raw honey (added after straining)

Ingredients

1/2 cup fresh horseradish root, grated

1/2 cup fresh ginger, grated

1 medium onion, chopped

10 cloves garlic, chopped

2 jalapeño or habanero peppers, chopped (include seeds for more heat)

Zest and juice of 2 lemons

2 tablespoons dried rosemary (or several fresh sprigs)

1 tablespoon ground turmeric (or 2 tablespoons fresh, grated)

1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper

3 cups raw apple cider vinegar

1/4 cup raw honey (added after straining)

Method

Place the horseradish, ginger, onion, garlic, peppers, lemon zest and juice, rosemary, turmeric, and cayenne in a quart jar.

Pour the apple cider vinegar over everything. The vinegar should cover all the solids by at least an inch. If using a metal lid, place a piece of parchment paper between the jar and the lid (vinegar corrodes metal).

Seal tightly. Label with the date.

Store in a cool, dark place for 2-4 weeks. Shake daily.

Strain through a fine-mesh strainer, pressing on the solids to extract all the liquid.

Stir in the honey until dissolved.

Bottle in clean glass jars. Store in the fridge.

*Suggested use:**

1-2 tablespoons daily as a general tonic (straight or diluted in water)

Every 2-3 hours at the first sign of a cold

As a salad dressing base (mix with olive oil)

In marinades for meat and vegetables

Mixed into tomato juice for a Virgin Mary

Notes

Fire cider is *strong*. The horseradish and garlic are the dominant flavors, with heat from the peppers and warmth from the ginger. It clears sinuses on contact.

This is a folk preparation with a long history in North American herbalism. It's not patented or owned — "fire cider" is a community recipe.

The honey tempers the intensity. Adjust to your taste.

Wear gloves when handling horseradish and hot peppers.

Why We Made This

We started Gathered Guides because your medicine cabinet shouldn't require a pharmacy. Every remedy in this book uses ingredients you can grow, forage, or find at any grocery store.

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