• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

Fresh Flavorful

  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Entertaining
  • Adventuring
  • About
  • Clients
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Entertaining
    • Adventuring
    • About
    • Clients
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
  • ×
    Home » Recipes » Condiments and Kitchen Basics

    Fire Cider Master Tonic Infused Vinegar

    Published: Nov 3, 2021 · Modified: Oct 17, 2023 by Tristin Rieken · 2 Comments

    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a spicy, delicious flavorful infused vinegar recipe. Simply an herbal tonic that’s easy to make at home from a few simple ingredients.

    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a spicy, flavorful infused vinegar recipe that's delicious and also beneficial to your health! infused vinegar | fire cider recipe | fire cider benefits | master tonic
    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe
    Jump to:
    • What is fire cider?
    • Ingredients
    • Step by step instructions
    • Hot to use
    • Shelf life
    • Fire Cider Master Tonic Infused Vinegar

    What is fire cider?

    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a hot, spicy herbal tonic made with an array of ingredients like horseradish root, garlic and oregano infused in apple cider vinegar. Essentially an infused vinegar, or tincture, that’s delicious and versatile.

    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a spicy, flavorful infused vinegar recipe that's delicious and also beneficial to your health! infused vinegar | fire cider recipe | fire cider benefits | master tonic

    This beneficial tonic recipe is not without controversy, though.

    The controversy lies around the lawsuit by herbalist Rosemary Gladstar, developer of the original recipe in the 1970s. She calls fire cider “part medicine and part food made and shared freely”.

    Rosemary Gladstar, now of Mountain Rose Herbs , concocted the tonic, based on Hippocrates Oxymel or the Four Thieves Vinegar Blend, in her classroom kitchen at the California School of Herbal Studies the herbalism school she used to run. She shared the recipe and the tonic with many people over the years. And it wasn’t until years later that the fire cider controversy arose when retailer, Shire City, began selling the popular tonic and trademarked the name legally disallowing anyone else from using it.

    After years of fighting through the judicial system, the fire cider lawsuit has been closed and the tonic can be called, used, made and shared freely as initially intended.

    Ingredients

    Use organic ingredients to minimize exposure to chemicals and unpasteurized unfiltered cider vinegar to increase the variety of probiotics, enzymes and nutrients in the mix.

    • Fresh horseradish root – abundantly grows in gardens and landscapes. Or find horseradish root in the refrigerated produce section of grocers, commonly near ginger and fresh herbs. If you absolutely can not find fresh horseradish, omit altogether and add extra ginger, onion and garlic.
    Fresh grated horseradish root
    • Fresh ginger root – substitute dried ground ginger if necessary.
    • Garlic-
    • Onions–
    • Hot chili peppers – jalapeno, thai chili, serrano, habanero, etc. If fresh peppers aren’t available you can even substitute dried red chili flakes or powdered cayenne pepper.
    • Apple cider vinegar – like Braggs Apple Cider Vinegar or other similar apple cider vinegar with mother. You can also substitute home brewed kombucha or kombucha vinegar with the mother if available.
    • Oregano– and/or other medicinal herb like rosemary, thyme, echinacea, nettle leaves, etc.
    • Honey – optional. Fire Cider recipes are typically made as an oxymel, or blend of vinegar and honey. This version is unsweetened although you can add honey to taste after steeping, if desired. If adding honey be sure to add the honey to taste after straining. The mixture may ferment if you accidentally add the honey first. If you do make this mistake either refrigerate immediately to prevent fermentation. Or leave the lid off and cover with a paper towel to embrace fermentation.
    • Optional – add other ingredients as desired and make it your own! Fresh turmeric root, rosemary, rose hips, nettle leaves, whole lemon, lime, grapefruit, orange, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, peppercorns, etc.
    Fire cider master tonic ingredients

    Step by step instructions

    1. Prepare ingredients grating roots, and finely chopping other ingredients. Use gloves if sensitive to horseradish and jalapeno peppers. Alternately use a high powered blender or food processor to process all ingredients as coarse or as finely as you like.
    2. Place ingredients in a quart-sized glass jar. You can use any mix of fire cider ingredients.
    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a spicy, flavorful infused vinegar recipe that's delicious and also beneficial to your health! infused vinegar | fire cider recipe | fire cider benefits | master tonic
    1. Pour apple cider vinegar to cover all ingredients and fill jar to the top.
    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a spicy, flavorful infused vinegar recipe that's delicious and also beneficial to your health! infused vinegar | fire cider recipe | fire cider benefits | master tonic
    1. Use a plastic lid or lined metal lid to cover jar.
    2. Shake to combine.
    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a spicy, flavorful infused vinegar recipe that's delicious and also beneficial to your health! infused vinegar | fire cider recipe | fire cider benefits | master tonic
    1. Steep in a cool, dark place, shaking frequently for at least 1 month, up to 3 months.
    fire cider after being steeped for 2 months
    1. Use a cheesecloth or fine mesh straining bag to strain solids from mixture. Squeezing out as much liquid as possible. Discard the solids or save for another use like Fire Cider Chutney.
    2. Taste your homemade tonic and sweeten, if desired, to taste with honey.
    3. Store in a cool dark place and use within 18 months.
    4. Enjoy!
    bottled fire cider after being steeped and strained

    Hot to use

    Use as a homemade vitality shot or tonic. Drink a shot or two as a preventative tonic, increasing usage when needed. You can enjoy it straight, mix with water, seltzer or lemon juice for a refreshing iced fire cider drink similar to a Switchel Spritzer.

    You can also cook with it! Add fire cider to soups, sauces, dips, and marinades. Use by itself as a spicy vinaigrette to sprinkle on salads and vegetables. Or added to salad dressings and even cocktails! A dash or two is perfect as delicious Bloody Mary mix seasoning for cocktails. Or just leave the vodka out and use fire cider to make bloody mary mocktails.

    Shelf life

    Shelf stable Fire cider lasts for up to 18 months when stored, covered, in a cool dark place. You may refrigerate if you prefer to consume cold fire cider but refrigeration is not necessary.

    Jar of fresh vegetables covered in apple cider vinegar.

    Fire Cider Master Tonic Infused Vinegar

    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a spicy, flavorful infused vinegar recipe that's delicious and also beneficial to your health!
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Rate Recipe
    Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Steeping Time: 30 days days
    Total Time: 30 days days 10 minutes minutes
    Course: Condiment
    Cuisine: American
    fire cider benefits, fire cider recipe, infused vinegar
    Servings: 20 servings
    Calories: 15kcal
    Author: Tristin Rieken

    Ingredients

    • ½ cup horseradish grated
    • ½ cup onion finely diced
    • ½ cup jalapeno pepper chopped
    • ¼ cup garlic chopped
    • ¼ cup ginger grated
    • 2 tablespoons fresh oregano
    • 2 cups apple cider vinegar

    Instructions

    • Place peppers, horseradish, garlic, onion and herbs in a clean sterilized glass jar and add apple cider vinegar to cover the herbs and fill the jar.
      ½ cup horseradish, ½ cup onion, ½ cup jalapeno pepper, ¼ cup garlic, ¼ cup ginger, 2 tablespoons fresh oregano, 2 cups apple cider vinegar
    • Cover tightly with a non reactive lid.
    • Place jar in a cool, dark place and let steep for at least a month, up to 3 months if desired, shaking frequently.
    • Strain out the solids, reserving the liquid.
    • Rebottle and enjoy!

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 27mg | Potassium: 62mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 33IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 17mg | Iron: 1mg
    Made this recipe? Please share!Mention @freshflavorful or tag #FreshFlavorfulLife
    Nutrition Facts
    Fire Cider Master Tonic Infused Vinegar
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 15 Calories from Fat 9
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 1g2%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
    Monounsaturated Fat 1g
    Sodium 27mg1%
    Potassium 62mg2%
    Carbohydrates 3g1%
    Fiber 1g4%
    Sugar 1g1%
    Protein 1g2%
    Vitamin A 33IU1%
    Vitamin C 5mg6%
    Calcium 17mg2%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    love, Tristin signature

    Pin for later!

    Fire Cider Master Tonic is a spicy, flavorful infused vinegar recipe that's delicious and also beneficial to your health! infused vinegar | fire cider recipe | fire cider benefits | master tonic

    More Condiments and Kitchen Basics

    • Jellied Cranberry Sauce is a homemade cranberry sauce recipe that is just like the old fashioned canned cranberry sauce only made from scratch with fresh cranberries, raspberries and oranges. cranberry sauce recipe | canned cranberry sauce | homemade cranberry sauce | canning cranberry jelly
      Jellied Cranberry Sauce
    • Green hot sauce and red homemade hot sauce in bottles.
      Homemade Hot Sauce
    • Creamy green sauce in a canning jar on silver plate with fresh shishito peppers.
      Blistered Shishito Pepper Sauce
    • Creamy Apricot Vinaigrette Dressing with Apricot Preserves is a lightly sweet, fruity salad dressing recipe that has even more uses than green salad. vinaigrette recipe | fruity salad dressing | sweet salad dressing
      Creamy Apricot Vinaigrette Dressing
    21 shares
    • Share
    • Tweet

    If you make this or any of Fresh Flavorful recipes be sure to share! Tag @freshflavorful on instagram or post a photo to the Fresh Flavorful Life Facebook page. Can't wait to see what you're making!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tom Cate

      April 22, 2023 at 1:52 am

      5 stars
      There’s no doubt it works – and it does in fact do everything that the makers and users of this tonic say it does. It does, in fact cure sore throat, kill off fungi, parasites, bacteria and viruses and boost immunity. I have used it. I have felt it. I make enough to refill the original gallon size jug of vinegar that I buy. It is wonderful and I’m probably saving who knows how many dollars that would and could otherwise be spent on things like commercial antibiotics, etc. It is great! It’s just amazing that a lot of the things that we suffer as terrible as they are could possibly be cured//killed off with ingredients and substances right under our noses!

      Reply
      • Tristin Rieken

        April 23, 2023 at 2:07 pm

        Right?! I love that fire cider immediately clears me right up and makes me feel like I can breath again whenever I’m feeling stuffy and take a quick fire shot…. I added a few extra peppers in my last batch and it is HOT 🙂 Thanks so much for your comment!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Tristin Rieken, Welcome to Fresh Flavorful where I hope to inspire you with simple seasonal recipes and ideas to eat deliciously, entertain easily and adventure often.

    More about me →

    Popular

    • Fresh bright purple cookies with white chocolate stacked on a tray with frozen blueberries scattered around in addition to the blueberry cookie tray.
      Vibrant Purple Chewy Blueberry Cookies
    • Vibrant naturally purple blackberry tea and blackberry iced tea with fresh berries and cream being poured over the blackberries in the blackberry latte
      Blackberry Tea Iced Tea Latte
    • Overhead view of vintage cut glass punch bowl with citrus slices and citrus and cranberry ice cubes in the beautiful bright pink cranberry paloma punch.
      Cranberry Citrus Paloma Punch
    • Banana Chiffon Cake a light, fluffy cake with tender bite and rich banana flavor. chiffon cake | chiffon cake recipe | chiffon cake with lemon glaze | ripe banana recipes
      Banana Chiffon Cake
    • Color changing butterfly pea cocktail in a tall ice filled glass with lime juice being poured in changing the color into swirls of blue, pink and purple.
      Color Changing Butterfly Pea Flower Cocktail
    • Stack of cool, creamy, chewy, crunchy rocky road chocolate macaron ice cream sandwiches.
      Rocky Road Macaron Ice Cream Sandwiches

    Seasonal

    • Cranberry Orange Ice Cream with generous swirls of cranberry is a sweet-tart frozen dessert that can be made with or without a machine all year long! homemade ice cream | cranberry orange
      Cranberry Orange Ice Cream
    • Layered caramel apple bars with shortbread crust, caramel layer and shortbread crumble stacked next to an apple.
      Sheet Pan Caramel Apple Pie Bars
    • Cranberry jalapeno cream cheese dip close up in a white dish with buttery crackers.
      Cranberry Jalapeno Cream Cheese Dip
    • Pan of golden brown stuffed garlic cheese buns with swirls of melted cheese and fresh herbs.
      Roasted Garlic Cheese Rolls
    See more Thanksgiving →

    Footer

    Inspired by the beauty of gathering round a table Tristin Rieken shares ideas for living a Fresh, Flavorful Life!

    Inspired by the beauty of the Pacific Northwest recipe developer and food photographer, Tristin Rieken, shares simple seasonal recipes and ideas for eating, entertaining and adventuring your way to a Fresh Flavorful Life.

    • About
    • Contact
    • Subscribe
    • Let’s work together!
    • Disclosure and Privacy Policy
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Copyright © 2023 Fresh Flavorful on the Foodie Pro Theme

    21 shares