Fire Cider of the North

Ingredients

• 1 large horseradish root, scrubbed & grated

• 1 large ginger root, grated & 7 inches long

• 2 tablespoons of fresh grated tumeric

• 1 large onion, peeled

• 1 large orange, whole fruit including peel

• 1 lemon, whole fruit including peel

• 16 cloves of garlic, peeled

• 2-4 habanero peppers, stem removed (jalapeños or another hottie of choice can sub in - just wear hand protection when cutting, ask me how I know)

• 1 tablespoon ground turmeric

• Raw apple cider vinegar (con la madre)

• Vague amount of Mount Cabot Maple Syrup

Call it a folk remedy or a health tonic, one way or another it’s gonna keep you running strong. On the morning after a heavy meal with a long day of snowshoeing ahead, we swear by this stuff to fire our spirits up. We shoot it straight, but it can also be used in marinades, salad dressings, your Bloody Marys, or diluted as a juice. That last one sounds weird but just try it.

1. Get that grated ginger, grated horseradish, chopped onion, crushed garlic, sliced peppers, lemon, orange and turmeric, into a gigantic glass jar.

2. Pour apple cider vinegar in the jar until all the ingredients are fully covered. Vinegar should reach rim of the jar. Make sure all the ingredients are covered in liquid to prevent spoilage.

3. Shake the jar to mix all the ingredients. Store in a cool, dark place for 4-8 weeks. Remember to shake the jar for a few seconds several days a week. That’s probably the hardest part.

5. After a month or whatever, use a mesh strainer or cheesecloth to separate the vinegar from the solids. Pour the infused vinegar into a clean jar. Be sure to squeeze out as much of the liquid as you can, it’s laced with goodness! The solids can be used in a stir-fry or you can compost them.

6. Add maple syrup to the liquid and stir until incorporated. Keep adding syrup to your taste, we like ours pretty sweet to balance the kick.

8. Store in a sealed container in the refrigerator or in a cold, dark place. Separation is natural, just shake it up before you pour a shot.

9. Drink it if you feel out of balanced, need an immune boost, or just want to wake up your insides.