Fire Cider: A Florida Farm Tradition
I still remember the first time I tried fire cider. It was over ten years ago, in a juice bar tucked away in Baltimore. I took a quick shot, and it nearly knocked me off my feet—spicy, tangy, alive. I didn’t know then that this fiery tonic would one day become a staple in my family’s farm kitchen here in Florida.
Now, every year when the season turns, I make a batch. It’s become a tradition of tending to wellness, honoring the harvest, and blending old folk remedies with what grows right outside our door.
What is Fire Cider?
Fire cider is a traditional herbal folk remedy, rooted in apple cider vinegar and infused with immune-supporting plants, vegetables, and spices. It’s pungent, warming, and stimulating—a kitchen medicine that’s easy to make and endlessly adaptable.
Typically, it includes garlic, onion, ginger, horseradish, and hot peppers steeped in raw apple cider vinegar. After weeks of infusing, the mixture is strained and often sweetened with a bit of honey. The result is a tonic that can be taken by the spoonful, sipped as a shot, drizzled on salads, or blended into dressings and marinades.
My Florida Twist
On our farm, we lean into what thrives in our subtropical soil. This year’s batch was a true Florida fire cider:
Ginger, blue turmeric, garlic, spicy peppers, onions, and even radish came straight from our gardens.
Roselle hibiscus stood in for cranberries, adding that tart ruby brightness.
Fresh rosemary, oregano, thyme, and sage rounded out the medicine.
I’ll be honest—I did store-buy some extras because I love my fire cider to be robust and full-spectrum. But that’s the beauty of it: you don’t need everything. You can start with what you have, and it will still be medicine.
Why I Make It Every Year
Fire cider is simple, but powerful. It’s a way to:
Boost immunity during seasonal shifts
Warm the body from the inside out
Clear stagnation and support circulation
Add flavor and brightness to everyday meals
In our home, we use it as a morning shot, a quick tonic when we’re run down, a splash in salad dressings, and sometimes even drizzled over roasted vegetables. The kids have grown up with it and even love the tang.
How to Make Fire Cider (Simple Method)
Chop your roots, veggies, and herbs (ginger, garlic, onions, peppers, turmeric, etc.).
Pack them into a clean jar until it’s about ¾ full.
Cover completely with raw apple cider vinegar.
Seal with a lid (use parchment under metal to avoid corrosion).
Shake daily or whenever you remember, letting it steep for 3–4 weeks.
Strain and add raw honey if you like.
That’s it—you have a jar of liquid fire, ready to warm, heal, and enliven your body.
Closing Thoughts
For me, fire cider isn’t just about wellness—it’s about connection. Connection to the plants, to the changing seasons, to my own roots and body. It’s about remembering that powerful medicine doesn’t have to be complicated. Sometimes, it’s just vinegar, garlic, ginger, and the courage to take a fiery sip.
Even after a decade, every batch feels like a small ceremony: a way of honoring tradition while weaving in the gifts of our Florida land.
