What Is Fire Cider? Town Farm Tonics’ Simple Guide to This Well-Loved Recipe
By Carissa, trained herbalist and co-owner of Town Farm Tonics
Some grimace, some smile. Everyone has a different reaction the first time they try fire cider. So, what is fire cider? It’s a traditional herbal vinegar tonic: apple cider vinegar steeped with spicy, pungent kitchen staples like horseradish, garlic, ginger, and onion, then sweetened with a little honey. It’s savory, spicy, sour, and a little sweet all at once, and it always leaves an impression. I'll never forget my first taste of Fire Cider - the heat spreading from my belly outward, the clear feeling in my nose, and that little jolt of energy. It's what makes Fire Cider such a well-loved herbal tonic.
If you’re new to it, or you’ve been tossing it back for years and wondered what the story is, this is your simple guide.
What Is Fire Cider?
Fire cider is part folk remedy, part kitchen staple. At its simplest, it’s a jar of pungent roots and herbs covered in apple cider vinegar and left to steep for weeks. Strain it, stir in honey, and you have a tonic you can sip, drizzle, and cook with.
There’s no single “official” recipe, which is half the fun! Every herbalist, home cook, and family has their own twist. Almost every recipe includes garlic, onion and horseradish. Town Farm Tonics' unique recipe, for example, goes light on the cayenne so that the whole family can enjoy it. We also add rosemary, peppermint, and thyme, for a deliciously unique herbal aftertaste.
Where Does Fire Cider Come From?
Fire cider is a folk recipe with deep roots in home herbalism. Herbalists have long steeped pungent, warming foods in vinegar, and the modern recipe was popularized by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, who shared it with generations of students. In 2012, a popular Fire Cider company attempted to trademark the term. Luckily, that fight was lost, as several determined herbalists worked hard to prove that the term "Fire Cider" is widely used within the greater herbal community. They won the battle of "traditions, not trademarks" - a true victory for herbalists everywhere! Today we are proud to craft our version of this delicious folk tonic. Fire Cider is one of the most popular herbal tonics out there, because it’s easy to make, easy to use, and made from things you’d find in a kitchen. It's true "food as medicine".
What’s in Fire Cider?
Our Fire Cider is made in small batches at our commercial kitchen in Warren, RI. We make it in the same we we used to make it at home - just in slightly larger, food-safe steel drums :) We chop our herbs and vegetables finely, steep them for a full month in organic, raw apple cider vinegar. After the end of the "maceration" process (extracting the herbal compounds into the vinegar), we strain and press every single ounce of plant material. Not a drop of herbal goodness gets left behind! That is a part of what makes the Town Farm Tonics process unique; we are making this tonic the same way a folk herbalist would at home, without cutting a single corner or cutting short the process. The herbs and the intention are respected, and the result is a potent, delicious recipe that is adored across New England!
Here’s what’s in our bottle and why each one is there:
- Apple cider vinegar: the tangy base that pulls everything together. ACV is what extracts all of the nutrition and health-supportive compounds from the herbal and vegetable ingredients. It's also responsible for the preservation and shelf stability.
- Local raw wildflower honey: a little sweetness to round out the heat, plus added preservation
- Horseradish: the sharp, sinus-opening kick
- Garlic and ginger: the warm, savory backbone that kicks circulation into gear and sends anti-microbial might to the membranes of your respiratory system (bye-bye germs in your nose!)
- Red onion: pungent depth; helps thin and drain mucous that gunks you up in the winter
- Rosemary, thyme, and peppermint: fresh, herbal brightness plus anti-inflammatory power
- Cayenne: the heat... the "fire" in Fire Cider!
In our recipe, everything except the honey is organic. And our honey is carefully, locally sourced. Nothing exotic, just everyday ingredients doing double duty as food and herbal tradition.
What Does Fire Cider Taste Like?
Tangy, spicy, savory, and a little sweet, with an herbal finish. It’s a lot more flavorful than you’d expect from a vinegar. Yet, a lot smoother than a shot of ACV alone. (Which is increasingly popular for blood sugar regulation before a meal!) And with Town Farm Tonics Fire Cider, there’s no need to hold your nose. We hear from everyone, from kids to longtime health food store owners, that ours is surprisingly smooth and tasty. You get the kick without ick.
What Is Fire Cider Used For?
Traditionally, people turn to fire cider in the colder months as a seasonal ritual: a warming, wake-up spoonful to start the day. Ginger, garlic, horseradish, and cayenne have long been considered warming herbs, and plenty of people simply love the flavor and the way it warms them up from the inside out. The warming herbs also very quickly clear out a stuffy nose, which anyone who chops onions regularly would be familiar with. And all of the ingredients pack an anti-microbial punch that permeates the membranes of your nose / throat, which is a wonderful natural way to keep seasonal yucks at bay.
It’s also at heart, simply a functional food! So you can eat it, drink it, and cook with it. It’s not a pill, and it’s not a miracle cure. It’s one natural, delicious way to add more good to your day.
How Do You Take Fire Cider?
When folks ask how to take fire cider, our answer is: however you like. A few favorites:
- By the spoonful. The classic. A serving is 1 tablespoon, and one 8 oz bottle makes 16 servings.
- Diluted in a mug. Stir it into hot water or tea, with extra honey or lemon if you like.
- In your kitchen. Use it in salad dressing, marinades, and more.
Looking for ideas? Here’s our guide to how to use fire cider, plus our Sweet Heat Vinaigrette recipe.
Is Fire Cider Supposed to Burn?
A little, yes. Horseradish, ginger, garlic, and cayenne bring real heat, and that’s part of the experience. If it’s too much, dilute it or take it with food, and start with a teaspoon if you’re new.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you drink fire cider every day?
Many people take a tablespoon a day, especially in the colder months. Follow your label and start small.
Is fire cider the same as apple cider vinegar?
No. Apple cider vinegar is the base. Fire cider is that vinegar steeped with herbs and roots, then sweetened with honey.
Do you have to refrigerate fire cider?
We do suggest refrigerating after opening, to maintain freshness. It's also tasty & smoother when cold!
Can you mix fire cider with elderberry syrup?
Absolutely. A spoonful of each in hot water makes a sweet-and-spicy mug. It's the perfect way to start the day!
What’s the difference between fire cider and an herbal tincture?
Tinctures are usually made with alcohol and taken in drops. Fire cider is made with vinegar and honey, and it’s meant to be eaten like a food, by the spoonful or in recipes. The traditional name for this type of recipe is an oxymel.
Who Should Check With a Provider First?
Fire cider is food-based, but it’s spicy, acidic, and potent:
- It contains honey, so it isn’t for babies under one.
- The vinegar is acidic. Dilute it, and rinse your mouth with water afterward.
- If you have reflux, ulcers, or a sensitive stomach, start very small & notice how you feel.
- If you’re pregnant, nursing, or take medications, ask your provider first.
Why We Make It the Way We Do
We’re a small, family-run business, and our Fire Cider is made in small batches, steeped for a full month, and sweetened with local honey. We make it the way we make it for our own family. That’s why we’re so proud of it, and why we hope you’ll try it. ♥️