From the cauldrons of hedge witches, a potent elixir can be found, known as Fire Cider. A potion sweet, spicy and tart crafted as a guardian against the lurking shadows of colds, flus, fevered spirits and phlegmy curses. Beyond its protective charm, Fire Cider beckons as a daily ritual to ignite ones inner currents, rouse the digestives and metabolic flames. As the leaves fall and winters breath approaches this bewitching concoction proves an invaluable herbal ally to add the home apothecary🔥
To conjure this bewitching tonic, you will need:
- Half gallon jar, cleansed
- 1 Onion
- 1 Garlic head
- 1 Orange
- 1 Apple from an enchanted orchard
- 1 Lemon
- 4-6 jalapeno, serrano or habanero peppers, halved to release fire
- 3 Rosemary sprigs
- 3 Thyme sprigs
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 cup horseradish root
- 1/4 cup Turmeric root
- 1/2 cup Ginger
- 2 tsp Black peppercorns
- 2 tbsp Hibiscus flower, dried
- Pomegranate seeds
- Seasonal herbs such s Calendula (whole flower heads), Wild Fennel Flowers, Rosehips (halved, devoid of seeds)
- Apple Cider Vinegar, enough to drown the elements of the jar
With the Moon as your witness, set your intention. Cleanse, consecrate, chop, peel, slice your bountiful harvest of organic offerings. Gently lay them in a jar. Bathe them in the elixir of woodland apple cider vinegar with the golden essence of sweet wildflower honey. Seal it with a kiss.
Let this brew meld its energies in a shadowy, cool sanctuary for the span of 2 moon cycles. Each day under your watchful gaze, awaken its sprits with a gentle shake
When the stars align, strain to release the infused essence. If the spirits move you, add in the raw sweetness of local honey. Decant into vials, and mark the moons date and store. This potion holds its magick for half a year on a shelf 🪄
This enchanted elixir harnesses the power to fortify your immunity, soothe inflammation, and ward off malevolent microbes. At the first whisper of a cold's curse, let it be your potion of choice, or let it dance on your palate daily as a protective charm. The magickal essence of this brew is its adaptability.
To honor the earth's creatures, omit the honey for a vegan spell; for those sensitive to the nightshade realm, leave the peppers be. Weave in the season's herbs plucked under a waxing moon from your own sacred garden. Should you wish to amplify its protective aura, summon the spirits of elderberries, astragalus root, or reishi. Let your intuition guide the concoction, and you shall never be led astray🌙✨
Fire Cider Spice Blend
In the cauldron's wake, let not the remnants be wasted! Once you have separated the nectar from the solids, let the elements dry and conjure a mystical Fire Cider Spice blend that can be sprinkled upon the greens of the earth, the popped kernels of ancient grains, the elixirs of dressings, the enchanted marinades, the stirrings of the fry, the depths of soups, and the flesh of the beasts.
You can use dehydrator winds or the oven on a very low heat for a few hours. Once cooled to the gentle embrace of room temperature, grind them with purpose, but only in modest batches. Safeguard your freshly wrought spice in a tightly sealed jar, ready to enliven any dish 🌿🔮✨
Fire Cider Dressing
- 1 cup culinary oil such as avocado oil, olive oil, pumpkin seed oil
- 1/4 cup Fire Cider Spice blend
- 2 Tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tsp pepper
- Pinch of salt
In a sacred bowl, merge the first four offerings, whisking with passion 🔥 Drizzle over nature's fresh greens and sprinkle with a touch of flake salt. Preserve the magick in a sealed jar, letting it rest in the cool embrace of the refrigerator for up to three days 🍃❄️
Fire Cider Bloody Mary
- 2 tbsp Fresh squeezed lemon juice + wedge for garnish
- 1 tbsp Lime
- 2 tbsp Fire Cider Spice Blend or Old Bay
- 1 tsp Worcestershire
- Ice cubes
- 1 1/4 cup tomato juice
- 1/2 cup good quality vodka
- 1/2 cup fire cider
- Pinch of black Pepper
- Garnish
Invoke the power of the lime crescent to bless the rim, then beckon the spirits of the Fire Cider Spice blend to cloak it. Fill each vessel with ice crystals. In a sacred pitcher, meld the essence of tomato, vodka's spirit, the whispers of Worcestershire, the fiery breath of cider, the bite of pepper. Pour through an alchemical strainer into the prepared vessels. Adorn with gifts from nature: lemon's zest, olive orbs, fiery kimchi, enchanted cheese blocks, pickled treasures, and beetroot of the earth. Raise your glass and partake🍸
We hope this blog inspires you to tap into your own inner Witch ✨
Love Colleen, Head Witch
