Fire Cider Cold and Flu Tonic

Fire cider is a traditional folk remedy for coughs, colds and sore throats made from onion, garlic, ginger, turmeric, lemon, herbs and apple cider vinegar. 

We use this as a tonic mixed with honey in the cooler months to prevent and fight off colds when they strike.

The original recipe is made with horseradish which can be hard to find unless you grow it yourself so you can substitute daikon, regular radish or leave it out completely. If you can get a hold of horseradish I would highly recommend adding it in as it takes the flavour to a whole new level and is extremely delicious!!

You can also add in chillies or jalapeños to give it an extra kick but I opted to leave them out this time to make it more kid friendly. 

---

Fire Cider Cold and Flu Tonic

Makes 1L Jar

Gluten free, dairy free, nut free, egg free

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup grated fresh ginger

• 1 red onion, roughly chopped

• 10 cloves garlic (about 1 head), roughly chopped

• 1 inch grated fresh turmeric or 1 tablespoon turmeric powder

• Zest and juice of a lemon

• A couple of sprigs of oregano, rosemary or other fresh herbs

• 1/4 tsp cayenne pepper

• Pinch of salt

• Apple cider vinegar to cover (about 1-2 cups)

• Honey to serve

Optional add ins:

• 1/2 cup grated fresh horseradish or daikon radish

• 2 chillies/jalapeno peppers, roughly chopped

Instructions:

1. Place all ingredients except apple cider vinegar into a wide mouth mason jar.

2. Pour over apple cider vinegar to cover leaving about a centimetre or two from the top.

3. Cover with a lid and leave to sit at room temperature (or if you're in a cold climate in a warm spot) for 2-4 weeks.

4. When you are ready to use it strain off the pulp, squeezing out the veggies to get out all their juices and transfer liquid to a bottle or jar.

5. Discard veggies or reuse them to flavour a stock or broth.

6. Store fire cider in the fridge and mix with honey to serve.

   Serving suggestions:

   As a tonic to prevent colds and flus take a spoonful each morning mixed with honey. When a cold strikes increase your dosage as needed. I've taken as much as a spoonful every hour until I was feeling better. For kids dilute in extra water/ juice and add extra honey or whatever you need to make it palatable for them.

   Notes:

   If you need the fire cider in a hurry you can start to use it from as early as 1 week after making it but the longer you leave it the stronger and more potent it will become. 3-4 weeks is ideal for this recipe.

   You can also drizzle this on salads as a dressing.