Hibiscus Pomegranate Fire Cider Recipe

Ingredients

• 64 ounces apple cider vinegar
• 10 ounces honey (- Use less for a more savory vinegar.)
• 2 medium onions
• 2 large garlic bulbs
• 4 ounces fresh ginger root
• 2 ounces fresh turmeric root
• 5 ounces horseradish root
• 2 large pomegranates
• 2 oranges
• ½ ounce dried whole cayenne peppers (- Can substitute 1 tablespoon of dried cayenne powder for 1/2 an ounce of whole peppers.)
• 25 ounce dried hibiscus flowers (- Cut and sifted.)
• 2 large pomegranates - When ripe they are plump, succulent, and garnet in color. Can substitute with 4 ounces of pomegranate juice for 1 pomegranate.

Method

1. Peel the garlic, and coarsely chop the onions, ginger, horseradish, and turmeric. Place them in a food processor or blender, along with the cayenne peppers. Add enough apple cider vinegar to cover. I prefer a glass blender if it is available. Work in two batches. Blend carefully with the lid on and take care not to let fumes or slurry get in your eyes.
2. Place in sterilized, clear-glass jars, label, and refrigerate. Dosage is 1 teaspoon (5 ml) as needed.
3. Place the slurried spiciness from both batches into a double boiler.
4. Nest a smaller pot inside a bigger pot or saucepan and use a couple of upside-down mason jar rings to keep the inside pot off the bottom of the outer one.
5. Add a little water to the outside pot and voilà—double boiler!
6. Add the rest of the apple cider vinegar to the slurry and keep the heat on low, with the lid on!
7. Let the mixture heat on low; don’t let it get above 120°F (49°C) for three hours, stirring occasionally.
8. If it’s too mild for your fire cider pleasure, this is your chance to add more of the spicy herbs and cook for one more hour.
9. After three hours of total cooking time, turn off the heat, and add the hibiscus and the juicy pomegranate/orange mixture.
10. Let sit for one hour and check the color—if it’s too light, add more hibiscus.
11. When the cider is a beautiful red hue, strain the mixture through a cheesecloth or potato ricer.
12. You’ll need to squeeze out or press the slurry, or you will lose a great deal of the medicine. (Don’t use your bare hands to squeeze out the cider or you’ll burn/irritate your skin.) Add the honey and mix well, making sure all the honey is dissolved.