Fire Cider Recipe for Cold and Flu Season

This cold and flu season, fight illness before it hits!

The weather is getting cooler in our corner of the world, meaning more time spent indoors where viruses can readily circulate and linger on the surfaces we come into contact with every day. But just because “cold and flu season” is coming, that doesn’t mean you have to resign yourself to days of aches, pains, and stuffy noses.

Instead, this is the perfect time to start finding simple ways to support your body’s natural defenses by getting enough rest, staying hydrated, eating nourishing meals, and adding habits to your daily routine that promote wellness. For me, that means a daily dose of fire cider. 

This herbal tonic is made with apple cider vinegar, citrus fruits, herbs, and warming spices combined into an invigorating blend that boosts immunity, supports digestion, improves circulation, and opens the sinuses when colds or allergies strike.

Curious about fire cider? Let’s take a look at the benefits, uses, and how to make your own!

What Is Fire Cider?

The practice of using herb-infused vinegars and honey as medicine is a centuries-old tradition, but the term “fire cider” only emerged within the last few decades as a way to describe this spicy combination. As it has grown in popularity, many different fire cider recipes have emerged. There’s not one single “right” way to make fire cider; it’s flexible and varies based on the maker’s tastes or traditions. 

Part of what makes fire cider so unique is the combination of different ingredients, each bringing its own flavor and natural benefits. Here’s a look at the ingredients we use in our fire cider recipe and how they can support your body. 

Apple Cider Vinegar

This is the foundation of fire cider, and it serves to naturally preserve and extract the medicinal compounds and flavors from the other ingredients. Apple cider vinegar is made by fermenting apple juice, and it has long been used as a traditional home remedy for soothing illness symptoms and settling indigestion. For our fire cider, I always use Lucy’s Organic Apple Cider Vinegar.

Citrus Fruits

Orange and lemon are high in vitamin C, which supports your body’s immune system and helps protect against oxidative stress. Beyond their health benefits, they also add a refreshing flavor that balances out the stronger ingredients in this fire cider, like onion and garlic.

Onion and Garlic

Both members of the allium family, onion and garlic have been used in herbal medicine for centuries. We typically think of these as flavor additions to our food, but both onion and garlic support your immune system through their sulfur-containing compounds, antioxidants, and antimicrobial properties. 

Ginger

The fresh ginger root in this fire cider recipe is part of what gives the mixture its name, as it brings a warming kick to each sip. Beyond the flavor, it also packs a powerful punch of antioxidants, anti-inflammatory properties, and antiviral action. Research shows that fresh ginger can help the body fight off viruses linked to respiratory infections, making it especially beneficial during cold and flu season.

Spices

Different fire cider recipes use different blends of spices, but for this one, we intentionally chose thyme, rosemary, and cinnamon. Both thyme and rosemary support immune function with their high concentrations of antioxidants, vitamins, and antimicrobial compounds. Cinnamon adds warmth and a subtle sweet flavor to help balance the sharp taste of the vinegar, but more importantly, it helps regulate blood sugar while also providing an antioxidant boost.

Raw Honey

Raw honey is optional in this recipe, but it makes the fire cider more enjoyable, as its natural sweetness softens some of the sharper, spicier flavors. Honey is also very soothing and provides even more antioxidants and antibacterial compounds.

Fire Cider Benefits

Each ingredient has its own perks, but together, they create a robust addition to your wellness routine that combines a variety of antioxidants, vitamins, and beneficial plant compounds with antimicrobial and antiviral properties. Over the years, fire cider has been used for:

• Immune Support: Fire cider is commonly used during the fall and winter months to help prevent respiratory infections like colds and the flu and to speed recovery when illness strikes.
• Digestion: With apple cider vinegar as its base, fire cider can stimulate stomach acid to support gut health, and ginger helps soothe an upset stomach. 
• Circulation: Compounds from ginger, garlic, and onions have a natural warming effect that improves circulation and supports overall cardiovascular health.
• Anti-Inflammatory: Many ingredients in fire cider contain compounds that lower inflammation in the body.

How to Make Fire Cider

Fire Cider Ingredients

• ½ orange, thinly sliced
• ½ lemon, thinly sliced
• ½ yellow or red onion, chopped
• 3 to 5 garlic cloves, peeled and lightly crushed
• 3 inches fresh ginger root, sliced
• 1 to 2 sprigs fresh thyme
• 1 to 2 sprigs fresh rosemary
• 1 to 2 cinnamon sticks
• 2 to 3 cups apple cider vinegar, or enough to completely cover everything (I love Lucy's Organic Apple Cider Vinegar) 
• Raw honey, optional when serving

Instructions

1. Place all the ingredients except the honey into a clean, quart-sized glass jar.
2. Pour in enough apple cider vinegar to completely cover the ingredients. It is important that everything stays beneath the vinegar, so use a glass fermentation weight if needed.
3. Close the jar with a plastic lid. If using a metal lid, place a piece of parchment paper between the jar and lid so the vinegar does not touch the metal.
4. Store the jar in a cool, dark place for 2 to 4 weeks. Gently shake it every day or two.
5. Once it has reached your preferred strength, strain the liquid into a clean glass jar or bottle and discard the solids.
6. After straining, keep it tightly sealed in the refrigerator and use within 3 months. Discard it if you notice mold, sliminess, unusual bubbling, or an unpleasant odor.

How to Take Fire Cider

Fire cider is traditionally taken in small amounts as part of a daily wellness routine. Start by diluting 1 to 2 tablespoons of fire cider in a glass of warm water, and adjust the potency to taste. If you prefer a little sweetness, add 1 teaspoon of raw honey to balance the tangy, spicy flavors.

More Ways to Enjoy Fire Cider

You don’t have to take your fire cider the same way every day; mix it up! Its unique taste can add a bright kick of flavor to all kinds of foods and drinks. Here are a few fun ideas to try:

• Stir into your favorite herbal tea
• Add a small amount to a homemade juice or a smoothie
• Whisk a tablespoon into your salad dressing
• Use it as a marinade for protein or vegetables
• Drizzle it over roasted vegetables right before serving
• Stir into cooked greens
• Add a splash to soups or stews

Use it anywhere you might normally think to add vinegar or lemon juice. There are so many possibilities, so feel free to experiment with different ways to enjoy fire cider so you can easily fit it into your daily routine.

Add Fire Cider to Your Wellness Routine

Don’t wait until illness hits your household to start fighting back. Boost immunity ahead of time with a simple spoonful of fire cider every day! It’s a simple habit that makes a powerful difference when it comes to supporting your immune system, especially this time of year when viruses are circulating more freely.

For an easy upgrade to your wellness routine, pair your daily sip of fire cider with another immune-boosting tool: Acid-Kicking D3+K2 drops. As a first line of defense for your body, vitamin D3 strengthens your early immune mechanisms against viruses and bacteria, while vitamin K2 works alongside D3 to help the body manage immune-related stress. On top of powering daily immune defense, this combination also strengthens bones and muscle while boosting mood, focus, and mental clarity to help you feel your best all season long!

Start your mornings with Acid-Kicking D3+K2 drops, follow it with a sip of fire cider, and let your immune system take it from there!