It is the cold and flu season… and viruses have been making the rounds. This immune boosting fermented health tonic is designed for anyone with a sensitive stomach. With fermented turmeric, ginger, citrus and honey, it is full of antioxidants, vitamins and probiotics.
Immune boosting ferments
Probiotics have a huge role to play in helping your immune system fight off colds, flues and infections. That’s why there are so many different immune boosting fermented beverages.
- Probiotic ginger beer is a traditional cure for nausea and stomach flues.
- Fire cider is a very strong ferment, with everything from onions to chili peppers in it.
- Immune boosting kvass is a sugar free and healthy sports drink.
This health tonic is a mix between ginger ale and fire cider. It has a lot of the same properties of fire cider, without any of the overly strong flavours. It is perfect for kids or anyone with a sensitive stomach.
PrintFermented Health Tonic
This tonic is a strong and flavourful ferment that is sure to fight off any cold or flu. It’s packed with citrus, ginger, turmeric, honey and probiotics. Unlike fire cider and other immune boosting ferments, this health tonic is gentle on a sensitive stomach, so it is perfect for children, or those with a stomach illness.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 3 cups 1x
- Category: Beverages
- Method: Fermented
- Cuisine: Healthy
Ingredients
- 1 organic lemon
- 1 organic lime
- 3 inches of ginger
- 3 inches of turmeric (or 2 tbsp ground turmeric)
- 1/2 cup honey (raw, unpasturized)
- 1/4 cup starter (optional, see notes)
- 3 cups filtered water
Instructions
- Wash and slice the lemon and lime into circles.
- Squeeze each of the circles into a 1 quart jar (see notes). Then add the whole circle of lemon and limes to the jar.
- Wash and finely dice the turmeric and ginger. You only need to peel if they aren’t organic. Add them to the jar.
- Add in the honey, starter culture and water. Leave 1″ of head room at the top of the jar.
- Cover and leave the jar somewhere warm to ferment for 3 to 5 days.
- The ferment will start out sparkling and will mellow over time.
- To serve, pour through a fine mesh sieve. If the flavour is too strong, then dilute with filtered water, as necessary.
- Store in the refrigerator and use within 1 month.
Notes
- Unpasturized honey has a natural bacterial culture, which will kick start the ferment. However, if you can’t find raw honey, or want to use maple syrup instead, then add a culture to speed things along. Kombucha, ginger bug or water kefir will all work for this ferment.
- Use a fermenting container that can handle the carbonation. Use a fido jar, or a mason jar
with an airlock
or plastic lid (affiliate links.)
with an 
or plastic lid (affiliate links.)Keywords: immune boosting, healthy, probiotic, super food, gluten free, paleo, fall, winter
We just started making this regularly, and boy is it awesome! It’s straight out of a healthy juice bar. I try to do a shot a day. It’s nice and zippy, with the ginger and carbonation. Thank you for posting this.
★★★★★
Glad you like it!
I have made this 6 days ago, but it hasn’t had any sparkle or fizz, is this normal? Will it still be ok to drink?
It depends on what you used as your starter. Did you use raw honey? Or an added starter? Yogurt or vegetable starter won’t fizz. But other starters should. However, unless you bottle it in an airtight bottle, it won’t build up any carbonation.
Cheers!
This is all sooo totally amazing!!! I never knew such wonderful mixtures existed. Thank you
★★★★★
Glad you enjoyed it!