How To Make Fire Brew

Every fall, I create a massive batch of fire brew. This immune-boosting elixir combines the power of easy-to-find medicinal plants such as garlic, ginger, onion, horseradish, and lemon with apple cider vinegar and honey to keep you feeling supported as the seasons change and your immune system responds.

Fire brew, also known as fire cider, is a well-loved herbal folk remedy that boosts the immune system while increasing circulation and warming the body. These qualities make fire brew perfect for colder months but I always keep smaller bottles around to take when I've been exposed to someone sick no matter the time of year.

Each batch of my fire brew is different, depending on what's available/in-season and what might be growing in my garden. In my latest batch, I added blood orange, limes, and jalapenos. Yes, it was delicious! 

Here's an easy recipe for getting started with your first fire brew. Don't hesitate to get creative!

You'll need

• A large mason jar (32 ounces works well)

Ingredents

• Equal parts white or red onion, garlic, and fresh horseradish root
• 1/2 part lemon or lime; if you use oranges, remove the peel
• 1/2 part fresh ginger
• 1-2 hot peppers or cayenne powder (or to taste)
• Additional options: fresh rosemary, chopped; wild-harvested rosehips or powder; fresh thyme; fresh oregano; fresh turmeric root
• Apple cider vinegar
• Honey to taste

Directions

1. Thoroughly clean your veggies, roots, and peppers
2. Peel and chop onion and garlic 
3. Halve, then quarter lemon or lime; remove peel and coarse chop 
4. Peel and grate the horseradish root and fresh ginger root
5. Finely chop hot peppers
6. Add to your large mason jar and cover completely with apple cider vinegar. Leave as little air space as possible at the top. 
7. Cover, then shake and place in a dark area in your kitchen.
8. Let it sit for two weeks, then strain out the veggies, roots, and peppers. Add honey to taste. You want it to be sweet, savory, and easy to stomach without being too pungent -- especially if you're taking a shot straight up. The honey will help round out the flavor. If you're vegan or don't use bee products, leave the honey out and try maple syrup to taste instead.

Use

So you made your fire brew. Now what? There is a myriad of uses for fire brew—I personally like throwing back a shot of it when I feel a cold coming on or if I know I've been exposed to someone who's been sick (or showing symptoms.)

Here are a few other ways to incorporate fire brew into your life:

• Daily tonic in water to sip throughout the dayFire cider + whiskey + hot water elixir during cooler months
• Add a few tablespoons to your salad dressing -- or use it on its own
• Finish steamed greens with a dash of fire brew at the end

Check out this video for a lovely step by step guide by the amazing Rosemary Gladstar. Enjoy! 

Love, 

Kristen

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