Why I Brew Fire Cider Every Autumn
The Turning of the Season
As the light begins to wane and autumn’s chill settles into the air, I find myself drawn once again to the ritual of Fire Cider. This simple, potent tonic—made from roots, herbs, and apple cider vinegar—has become one of my most cherished seasonal practices.
It’s a recipe passed through generations of herbalists and kitchen witches, a folk remedy that warms the body and strengthens the spirit. But for me, it’s also a ritual of resilience; a way to tend to my health and protection as the wheel of the year turns toward the darker months.
What is Fire Cider?
Fire Cider is a traditional herbal tonic infused with ingredients like ginger, garlic, onion, chili, citrus, and herbs steeped in raw apple cider vinegar. It’s known for its immune-supportive, anti-inflammatory, and circulation-boosting properties, perfect for warding off winter colds and low energy.
But beyond its practicality, Fire Cider carries a lineage of intention. It’s an embodiment of protection, vitality, and the fire within.
Why I Make It Every Autumn
Each year, as the days grow shorter, I gather my ingredients with care; rosemary for remembrance, thyme for courage, chili for inner fire. I chop, pour, and stir slowly, breathing intention into each step.
It’s not just about making medicine. It’s about crafting a moment of connection: to the plants, to the season, to myself.
When I shake the jar each morning as it infuses, I whisper gratitude—for warmth, for wellness, for the quiet power that herbal ritual brings.
This act of creation reminds me that even as nature turns inward, I can still tend to the flame within my own body and spirit.
A Workshop Invitation: Craft Your Own Fire Cider
I’d love to share this ritual with you.
Join me for the Herbs for Protection & Fire Cider Making Workshop — a hands-on, sensory experience where we’ll explore:
🌿 The folklore and energetics of protective herbs
🔥 How to craft your own jar of Fire Cider from scratch
✨ Setting intentions for seasonal protection and renewal
Inside The Woodsman's Realm in Skibbereen West Cork, we’ll blend herbal wisdom with ritual practice, creating a tonic that supports both your immune system and your energetic resilience.
You’ll go home with your own jar of infused Fire Cider, rich in herbs and intention — a potion for protection, vitality, and renewal.
Closing Reflection
The turning of the year invites us to slow down, to fortify, to listen.
When we craft with intention, even the simplest ingredients become sacred.
Fire Cider, for me, is that reminder: that protection can be both practical and magical — and that ritual lives in the everyday.
Join me in this seasonal act of alchemy and resilience.
🕯️ Reserve your spot for the Fire Cider & Herbs for Protection Workshop → email info@alchemillaherbcraft.com.