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 shadows of colds, flus, fevered spirits and phlegmy curses! Beyond its protective charm, Fire Cider serves as a daily ritual to ignite the digestive fire and keep your energy flowing. As the leaves fall and the temperature shifts, this bewitching blend becomes an invaluable herbal ally for the home apothecary, offering both warmth and wellness🔥
To craft this bewitching tonic, gather the following ingredients:
- Half gallon jar, cleansed
- Onion
- Garlic head
- Orange
- Apple from an enchanted orchard
- Lemon
- Jalapeno, serrano or habanero peppers, halved to release fire
- Rosemary sprigs
- Thyme sprigs
- Cinnamon sticks
- Horseradish root
- A dash of Cayenne powder
- Ginger
- Black peppercorns
- Hibiscus flower, dried
- Pomegranate seeds
- Seasonal herbs such as Calendula (whole flower heads), Wild Fennel Flowers, Rosehips (halved, devoid of seeds)
- Apple Cider Vinegar, enough to drown the elements of the jar
- Wildflower Honey
Witches prefer to craft this potion in true folk style, where precise measurements are left to intuition and spirit. With intention, cleanse, consecrate, chop, peel, slice your bountiful harvest of organic offerings. Gently lay them in a jar. Bathe them in the elixir of apple cider vinegar and some sweet wildflower honey.
Seal it with a kiss.
Allow this potion to rest for the span of two full moon cycles in a dark, cool sanctuary, where it can quietly weave its magick. Each day, return to it with care and intention, watching over it as a guardian. Gently shake the jar, stirring the energies within, and in doing so, awaken the spirits of the ingredients. With every shake, you invite their power to meld and deepen, amplifying the protective and healing forces of the brew. This daily act strengthens the potion’s connection to you, ensuring that when the time comes, it will be infused with both nature’s magick and your own ✨
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
Don’t let the remnants go to waste once you’ve separated the liquid from the solids! After straining, let the remaining ingredients dry and transform them into a flavorful Fire Cider Spice blend that can be sprinkled upon greens, popcorn, dressings, marinades, stir fries, soups and meats.
Use a dehydrator or set your oven to a very low temperature for a few hours to dry the mixture. Once it’s cooled to room temperature, grind it in small batches with care. Store your freshly made spice blend in an airtight jar, ready to add a burst of flavor to 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 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
- 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
Begin by invoking the energy of a lime wedge to bless the rim of each glass, then coat it with the Fire Cider Spice blend. Fill the glasses with ice. In a pitcher, combine tomato juice, vodka, Worcestershire sauce, Fire Cider, and the fire cider spice blend and a dash of pepper. Mix and strain this mixture into the prepared glasses. Garnish with nature’s bounty—zesty lemon, olives, spicy kimchi, cheese cubes, and pickled treats.
Raise your glass and partake🍸
We hope this blog inspires you to tap into your own inner Witch ✨ I also want to express my gratitude to Rosemary Gladstar for the inspiration behind this recipe. Rosemary, a renowned herbalist, teacher, and author, crafted this tonic as part of her invaluable herbal teachings. I’ve created my own variation, letting the recipe evolve with a modern spin, blending it with witchcraft to infuse it with intention and magick
Love Colleen, Head Witch