Homemade Amish Fire Cider

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Last Updated on December 17, 2024 by Kiersten

Prepare a batch of this homemade Amish fire cider as summer ends to get your family through the next cold and flu season.

During the last week in July, while the garden is still thriving and the kids are splashing about the pool, I receive a calendar alert for myself to start preparing any home remedies for colds and flu that need a few weeks to infuse.

The two main remedies that I make sure are done without procrastination is this Amish fire cider and fermented garlic honey.

When it comes to immune support and helping my family along during the inevitable cold and flu seasons, I’ve gradually turned away from simple teas and essential oils (although peppermint still smacks a migraine away for me) and leaned deeply into Amish home remedies that I’ve gathered over the years during our time spent in Pennsylvania or Maryland.

It’s kind of funny actually…Geographically, no matter which community we have visited, the remedies are almost identical. Either through word of mouth or written down in pamphlets, letters, and booklets. They’re all the same.

The Amish home remedies that pop up continuously are the ones that I do not hesitate to trust and put to good use for my own family’s health. One of these is the homemade Amish cough syrup recipe that has helped thousands in lieu of over the counter drugs. These remedies have stood the test of time, and for good reason – they work.

What Is Fire Cider?

Fire cider is a very potent herbal tonic that is made by infusing apple cider vinegar with a carefully chosen blend of ingredients. Each one of the ingredients has a different purpose whether it’s for immune support, reducing inflammation, or an antimicrobial.

Fire cider is a staple in our refrigerator during the colder months and has been relied on for generations for its ability to fend off colds, soothe sore throats, and ease congestion.

In our home, the Amish fire cider recipe has been passed down and altered to meet the needs of our growing family. It includes a blend of fresh ingredients like jalapeño, horseradish, ginger, garlic, turmeric, and rosemary, all steeped in apple cider vinegar for a month before being sweetened with TONS of honey to balance its…shall I say “bold”…flavor.

Benefits of Fire Cider

The benefits of this Amish fire cider home cold and flu remedy are rooted in its ingredients:

• Jalapeño and Cayenne Pepper: These spices stimulate circulation and help clear sinus congestion.
• Horseradish: Known for its ability to open up respiratory pathways and fight sinus infections.
• Ginger and Turmeric: Anti-inflammatory and soothing to the digestive system, these roots also strengthen the immune system. Do not use powdered spice, you must obtain fresh roots for this fire cider recipe.
• Garlic and Onion: Packed with antimicrobial properties that fight viruses and bacteria.
• Rosemary: My favorite herb that also offers antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.
• Apple Cider Vinegar: The base of this cider, which helps balance the body’s pH and promotes gut health.
• Honey: Has strong antimicrobial properties, can soothe sore throats, and is necessary in order to make this cider fire tolerable as far as taste goes.

How to Make Amish Fire Cider

Making Amish fire cider is very easy but does require a little patience as it needs to infuse in the pantry or basement for an entire month.

Ingredients:

• 3 fresh jalapeños, sliced
• 1/2 cup fresh horseradish, peeled and chopped
• 1/2 cup fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped
• 1 medium onion, peeled and chopped
• 12 fresh garlic cloves, smashed or minced
• 2 lemons, sliced (wash well prior to slicing)
• 1 teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 3 tablespoons of dried rosemary
• 1 tablespoon ground turmeric
• Raw apple cider vinegar (enough to cover ingredients)
• Raw honey (to taste, added after straining)

Instructions:

1. Prepare ingredients as listed above (except vinegar and honey) and layer them in a quart-sized mason jar that has been sterilized.
2. Pour enough apple cider vinegar over the ingredients until everything is well covered. Put a non-reactive, tight fitting lid on the jar (such as plastic) and place the jar in a cool, dark place for one month. We keep ours in a kitchen cabinet so it doesn’t get forgotten. Shake the jar daily.
3. After four weeks, using a metal strainer or cheesecloth, strain the liquid out into another clean jar. Press the mixture with the back of a spoon to extract as much as you can.
4. Add raw honey to the fire cider to improve the taste. It takes a lot – usually at least 1 cup or so.
5. Mix well and store in the refrigerator. Shake before use.

How to Use Fire Cider

Fire cider can be used for prevention as a daily tonic or during illness as a natural home remedy.

• Daily Tonic: Add 1-2 tablespoons to a cup of hot water daily and drink as a preventive measure during cold and flu season.
• At the Onset of Illness: Take 3 tablespoons in a cup of hot water every few hours. Usually 3 to 4 times daily.

This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please take all direction for health matters from your family’s primary health provider. All content on naturalhomeapothecary.com is for educational purposes only.

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