While we couldn’t be more excited for the start of the fall season, there is one downside that comes with our favorite time of year and that’s that it’s also the start of cold and flu season.

Enter fire cider. Fire cider is a traditional folk recipe designed to help ward off colds and illnesses and keep you feeling your best during the winter months. Lately, this recipe has been experiencing a resurgence and you’ve likely seen it popping up all over your Instagram and Pinterest accounts!

There are a ton of variations on the recipe, and you can play around with it by adding in different fruits, vegetables, and herbs, but the basis of the recipe is to add garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers to apple cider vinegar and allow it to steep for a month.

After your cider has steeped, you’ll strain out the ingredients and you’re left with a supercharged vinegar! There are several ways you can enjoy your cider including

• Taken as a shot (1 tablespoon daily)
• Adding a shot to a glass of warm water along with some warm honey
• Using in salad dressings
• Mixing it into rice or stir fries.

Now let’s take a look at how you can make this nutritious drink at home

FIRE CIDER RECIPE

(adapted from Mountain Rose Herbs)

1 medium organic onion, chopped

10 cloves organic garlic, minced

½ cup grated organic ginger root

½ cup grated organic horseradish

1-2 habanero or jalapeno chilies, sliced in half

Apple cider vinegar

¼ cup raw organic honey

Optional ingredients

Zest and juice from one organic lemon

1 tablespoon organic turmeric powder

¼ teaspoon organic cayenne powder

2 tablespoons dried rosemary

½ cup organic parsley, chopped

1 cinnamon stick

1 teaspoon peppercorns

Directions

1. Add all ingredients (except for the honey) to a sterilized quart sized jar and top with apple cider vinegar until all the ingredients are covered and the vinegar reaches the top of the jar.
2. Place a piece of parchment paper over the top of the jar and then secure with a plastic lid.
3. Shake well.
4. Store in a cool dark place for one month, shaking daily.
5. After a month, strain the mixture using a cheese cloth, squeezing out all extra liquid from the pulp (note: some people save this pulp to add to stir fries and soups).
6. Add honey and stir until incorporated.
7. Enjoy a tablespoon daily.