fire cider

for the first time this year i made fire cider. in the past i have come across recipes for fire cider but never got around to making it.  wow is all i can say, its a hot spicy sweet vinegar tonic. a food medicine, made out of ingredients you most likely have in your pantry.  the recipe varies from person to person, you can leave an ingredient out or add one in.  its basically up to you, most people put lemons in, and i had a beautiful grapefruit on my counter so that is what i used.  feel very free to mess around with this recipe.

1/2 cup chopped onion

1/4 cup grated ginger root

1/4 cup freshly grated horseradish 

several chopped garlic cloves, or smashed with the flat side of a knife

1 grapefruit or lemon

cayenne powder to taste

apple cider vinegar

honey

chop everything up, juice 1/2 the grapefruit, chop up the other half.  place everything except the honey in a clean glass jar, pour enough vinegar to cover everything by and inch or two.  i put a little wax paper under the lid, so that i can shake the jar often.

place your jar on your counter, or a windowsill and let it sit for at least four weeks, or more if you like.  give it a really good shake every day or two.

strain out the onion/citrus mixture, keeping the liquid and composting the rest.

add honey to taste, this is kind of like the cayenne.  you have to add a little, taste it, add more or not.  i added probably about a 1/2 cup honey to 2 1/2 cups cider.  its nice to have a little shot of fire cider every day or two, during the cold and flu season.  cheers ~ to good health and happiness

i first came across fire cider in a rosemary gladstar book, herbal recipes for vibrant health.  i suggest the book to anyone who is interested in making herbal teas, tonics, oils, salves, and more.  i use this book all the time.  i have looked at many fire cider recipes and they are all different, a lot call for fresh herbs, or jalapenos.  so like i said feel free to experiment.  although this is good anytime of year, next year i'm going to try to make it in november or december.  since january and febuary can be the hardest hit sick months. if you would like my blog posts and other interesting things going on at simply josephine delivered right to your inbox, subscribe here.  and as always you can find me on facebook or instagram.  wishing you all a happy happy spring, full of good things and inspiration. namaste