Intrigued by the health benefits of fire cider but not into the 1-month wait for it to be ready? That’d be us, friends, and there’s a solution! Introducing fire cider-inspired wellness shots made in just 15 minutes with easy-to-find ingredients!
They’re vibrant, spicy, potent (oh yeah), and tasty, too! They’re also great for stimulating digestion and warming you up from the inside out, no matter the season. Let’s make (fire cider) shots!
What is Fire Cider?
Fire cider is a spicy vinegar tonic popularized by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar beginning in the 1980s. It’s been embraced for its ability to support the immune system and help fight colds, flus, and other infections.
Gladstar’s original formulation includes vinegar, garlic, onions, horseradish, ginger, spicy peppers, and sometimes turmeric or echinacea. The combination is steeped for weeks, allowing the flavors to develop.
The following is our inspired version with similar ingredients and benefits but a shorter preparation time.
How to Make Quick “Fire Cider”
Our quick “fire cider” comes together by blending tangy apple cider vinegar and lime, sweet pineapple and honey, anti-inflammatory turmeric and black pepper, and spicy ginger, garlic, and cayenne. Horseradish is an optional but classic addition for even more potency.
By blending instead of steeping the mixture, the medicinal properties infuse into the vinegar in a matter of seconds instead of weeks. After blending, we pour it through a fine mesh strainer to remove the pulp.
The result is a punchy, medicinal mixture that keeps in the refrigerator for weeks.
We hope you LOVE our inspired take on fire cider! It’s:
Vibrant
Tangy
Spicy
Potent
Quick & easy
& Full of health benefits!
It’s the perfect tonic to have around for chilly weather, cold and flu season, and to boost digestion before meals!
More Immune-Supportive Beverages
If you try this recipe, let us know! Leave a comment, rate it, and don’t forget to tag a photo @minimalistbaker on Instagram. Cheers, friends!
Servings 16 (1-Tbsp servings)
- 2/3 cup raw unfiltered apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh pineapple*, cut into 1/2-inch cubes
- 1 (2-inch) piece fresh ginger, peeled
- 1 (1-inch) piece fresh horseradish root*, peeled (optional)
- 1 large clove garlic, peeled
- 1/4 small lime (peel included if organic // 1/4 small lime is ~20 g)
- 1 ½ Tbsp honey (raw, local preferred // if vegan, sub maple syrup or agave)
- 1/2-3/4 tsp ground turmeric*
- 1 pinch ground black pepper
- 1/8 tsp ground cayenne
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Wash and prep your fresh produce (pineapple, ginger, garlic, and lime).
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To a high-speed blender, add all ingredients (apple cider vinegar, pineapple, ginger, horseradish (optional), garlic, lime, honey, turmeric*, black pepper, and cayenne). Blend on high for 30-45 seconds or until there are no large pieces remaining. If you don’t have a powerful blender, this may take longer.
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Pour through a fine mesh strainer into a measuring glass or bowl, using the back of a wooden spoon to squish and stir the pulp so all of the liquid comes through. Discard the leftover pulp.
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You should now have a lovely orange-colored tonic with no lumps. Taste and adjust as needed, adding more honey for sweetness, turmeric for earthiness, or cayenne for heat — it should be potent!
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Drink as desired. We love it as a shot before meals for stimulating digestion. You can also add it to salad dressings, marinades, or cocktails, or make mocktails by adding to sparkling water.
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Store in a glass bottle or jar in the refrigerator for up to 4-6 weeks. Separation is normal — give it a shake before serving.
*Horseradish is a traditional ingredient in Fire Cider, but it can be tricky to get at the grocery store (it’s in the produce section). We like the “fiery” quality horseradish root adds, but the tonic is still potent and delicious without it. Another option is to sub 1/4 – 1/2 tsp wasabi paste.
*Turmeric can stain your blender if it sits in it for too long, but the color should fade over time.
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate calculated without optional ingredients.
*Inspired by Fire Brew and Mountain Rose Herbs. Special acknowledgment that herbalist Rosemary Gladstar originally coining the term Fire Cider.
Serving: 1 tablespoon Calories: 12 Carbohydrates: 2.8 g Protein: 0.1 g Fat: 0 g Saturated Fat: 0 g Polyunsaturated Fat: 0 g Monounsaturated Fat: 0 g Trans Fat: 0 g Cholesterol: 0 mg Sodium: 1 mg Potassium: 22 mg Fiber: 0.2 g Sugar: 2.2 g Vitamin A: 8 IU Vitamin C: 2.7 mg Calcium: 2.7 mg Iron: 0.1 mg
