Learn how to make fire cider, the spicy cold drink

The “fire cider”, also known as “fire tonic”, is a spicy cold drink that activates circulation and strengthens the immune system. With its natural ingredients, it is an effective remedy for colds.

With all its spicy ingredients, the “fire cider” not only activates blood circulation, but also has a powerful antibacterial effect thanks to ginger, garlic and onions.

Apple cider vinegar and honey stimulate digestion and the spiciness of radish helps cleanse the sinuses and prevent infections that can be especially painful.

Thanks to the combination of ingredients, the “fire cider” is a complementary natural remedy to treat the symptoms of flu and colds that can be easily prepared at home. Its benefits are explained by the properties of the ingredients used, although there are no specific scientific studies on the “fire cider”.

THE ORIGIN OF THE “FIRE CIDER”

The creator of the drink is the renowned herbalist, teacher and author Rosemary Glad star, who made the formula famous in the 1970s, but the same ingredients have been used as remedies for colds. The Glad star recipe can be modified to suit your own tastes.

THE BASIC RECIPE

To make this drink you will need the ingredients that we are going to list below for a jar or bottle. Ideally, all or at least a large majority of ingredients should be organic to avoid synthetic pesticides.

Ingredients (for a 1.5 l jar or bottle):

• 150 g rustic or spicy radish
• 75 g ginger
• 1 large onion
• 10 cloves of garlic
• 2 jalapeños
• Approximately 1l of apple cider vinegar
• Honey
• 1 organic lemon or orange (optional)
• Spices such as turmeric, rosemary, cayenne or black pepper (optional)

You will also need the following utensils:

• A sterilized glass jar with snap-in lid (with gaseous metal clamp). Do not use a metal cap as acetic acid can attack the material.

Elaboration:

1. Wash the ingredients and peel the ginger, rustic radish, onion and garlic cloves.
2. Grate the horseradish and ginger, and chop the onion and garlic cloves.
3. Finely chop the jalapeños. After cutting these ingredients it is better that you wash your hands, because if you touch your eyes or mouth with your hands to cut the jalapeños you can get irritated. If you don’t like spicy as much, you can skip the jalapeños or use some cayenne pepper instead.
4. Prepare a clean glass jar with an airtight lid and place in it all ingredients except vinegar and honey
5. Once you have all the ingredients in the jar, fill the jar with apple cider vinegar until it is a few centimeters above the ingredients. If possible, use an organic cloudy unpasteurized vinegar with an approximate acidity of 5%.
6. If you see the ingredients floating on the surface, place a piece of baking paper on top and put something heavy on top (for example, a glass of glass).
7. Before closing, vigorously stir all the ingredients to mix them well together.

The “fire cider” has to rest for four weeks at room temperature in a dark, cool and dry place. Shake the bottle every few days.

After four weeks, you can run the cider through the strainer and add enough honey to make it taste good. Then pour the liquid into a bottle. You can reuse the solid ingredients in a soup or vegetable pan.

In the fridge the “fire cider” can be kept for a few weeks.

HOW TO TAKE THE “FIRE CIDER” CORRECTLY

Take a shot cup (about two tablespoons) every day during the cold season to help prevent the flu and colds. If you already notice a cold approaching, do not take this dose all at once, divide it into two or three smaller portions throughout the day.

As fire cider is acidic, it can be aggressive with tooth enamel. To protect it, you can dilute AIDS in warm water or apple juice.

You can also use it as a salad dressing and other dishes, such as steamed vegetables, fried rice with cauliflower. It can also be used to marinate tofu or to add it to a soup, as the last step of preparation.