How to Make This Cider Vinegar Recipe at Home
This post is all about making a cider vinegar recipe.
Apple cider vinegar (ACV) has been a staple in homesteads and natural medicine cabinets for centuries. From preserving food to aiding digestion and boosting immunity, ACV is a must-have for anyone passionate about self-sufficiency and natural remedies.
If you love the idea of making your own kitchen staples, reducing food waste, and crafting your own health tonics, this guide will teach you how to make raw, probiotic-rich apple cider vinegar right at home—with nothing more than apples, sugar, and time.
This post is all about making a cider vinegar recipe.
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Table of Contents
Why Everyone Should Make Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Homemade ACV isn’t just about saving money—it’s about creating a high-quality, chemical-free product tailored to your needs. Store-bought versions are often pasteurized, stripping them of beneficial enzymes and probiotics. But when you make ACV yourself, you control the process and ensure you’re getting the best product possible.
Health Benefits of ACV
✔️ Fermented & Probiotic-Rich: Supports gut health, digestion, and immunity.
✔️ Zero Waste: Repurpose apple peels and cores to reduce food waste.
✔️ Non-Toxic & All-Natural: Free from additives, preservatives, and pesticides.
✔️ Multi-Purpose: Use it in natural remedies, food preservation, use it in recipes like salad dressing, and even cleaning. Using ACV while cleaning is just like cleaning with vinegar – it removes harmful bacteria.
Contains Acetic Acid
ACV is high in acetic acid (5%), which is responsible for its smell and flavor. This could be why it has so many health benefits. Additionally, many believe that ‘the Mother’ contains a lot of the health benefits. ‘The Mother’ is a colony of yeast and bacteria that forms during the fermentation process. You’ll also see little bits floating in apple cider vinegar. When those aren’t present, that means the ACV has been filtered. You always want ‘the Mother’ in your ACV to have the most benefits.
May Help to Lower Blood Sugar
Although more research is required, apple cider vinegar may help lower blood sugar as it may have benefits on the glycemic index. If you’re already on some sort of medication for your blood sugar, be sure to discuss this with your doctor before starting a regimen with apple cider vinegar.
Might Help with Weight Loss
Apple cider vinegar may help with weight loss as it may suppress an individual’s appetite.
May Benefit the Skin and Hair
It may be beneficial for the skin for those that suffer from dry skin and conditions like eczema. Additionally, some use apple cider vinegar as a rinse. This may help with scalp health, improve the shine of the hair, and strengthen hair. It’s a popular home remedy because of its antibacterial, antifungal, and antiviral properties.
How to Make This Cider Vinegar Recipe from Scratch
This method is ideal for anyone looking to add more natural products to their pantry because it requires minimal ingredients, no special equipment, and can be made in small or large batches. Below are listed all of the ingredients and equipment you’ll need to start making them.
Ingredients
- 5–6 organic apples (or apple scraps: peels, cores, and bruised fruit)
- 1/4 cup raw sugar or honey (helps fermentation)
- 4 cups filtered, non-chlorinated water.
Using organic apples is super important in this process. Conventional (non-organic) apples are heavily sprayed with pesticides. Even after washing the apples, there are still pesticide residues present on them. You don’t want your ferment stewing in that during the fermentation process. It’ll contaminate all of your hard work. This is the case for any and all ferments. It’s critical to not use chlorinated water because it kills bacteria. Part of the fermentation process involves creating good bacteria, and chlorinated water will prevent that from happening.
Equipment
- Large glass jar (quart-size or bigger)
- Glass bottles (for storage)
- Cheesecloth or coffee filter
- Rubber band or string
- Wooden spoon for stirring
How to Make Cider Vinegar: Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Gather & Prep Your Apples
- If using whole apples, wash and chop them into small pieces.
- If using scraps, collect peels and cores from previously used apples (avoid moldy or rotten fruit).
Step 2: Start the Fermentation
- Place the apples and/or scraps into a clean glass jar.
- Dissolve sugar or honey in filtered water and pour over the apples until fully submerged.
- Cover with a breathable cheesecloth or coffee filter and secure it with a rubber band.
Step 3: Let Nature Work Its Magic
- Store the jar in a warm, dark place (around 60–75°F) for 3–4 weeks.
- Stir daily to prevent mold from forming on the surface.
- After a few days, bubbles should appear—this means fermentation has begun!
It’s really important to keep the jar in a warm spot. Cold equals mold is a rule of thumb with ferments. If the jar isn’t kept in a warm enough place, it’ll start to develop mold. If you live in a colder climate or your home isn’t warm enough, consider using a heat mat or heat wrap. When I make kombucha in the winter, I use this heat wrap.
Step 4: Strain & Continue Fermenting
- After 3–4 weeks, strain out the apple solids and keep the liquid.
- Pour the liquid back into the jar and let it ferment for another 3–4 weeks until it develops a tangy, vinegar-like aroma.
Step 5: Bottle & Store Your Homemade Cider Vinegar
- Once the vinegar reaches your desired acidity (usually 6–8 weeks in total), transfer it to a glass bottle with a lid.
- Store at room temperature or refrigerate for extended freshness.
💡 Tip: Over time, a cloudy mass called “the mother” may form—this is packed with beneficial probiotics and enzymes!
How to Use Homemade Your Cider Vinegar Recipe in Your Home
For Health & Wellness
- Daily Tonic: Mix 1 tbsp in warm water with honey for digestive support.
- Cold Remedy: Gargle with ACV and saltwater to soothe a sore throat.
- Skin & Hair Care: Use as a natural toner or hair rinse to restore pH balance.
For the Garden & Homestead
- Weed Killer: Mix ACV with water and dish soap for a chemical-free herbicide.
- Chicken Coop Cleaner: Disinfect surfaces safely with diluted ACV.
- Compost Booster: Add to compost to speed up decomposition.
For the Kitchen & Food Preservation
- Fermented Foods: Use in homemade pickles, shrubs, and kombucha.
- Homemade Salad Dressing: Combine with olive oil and herbs.
- Canning & Preserving: Use as a natural preservative for fruits and vegetables.
Common Questions & Troubleshooting
✅ What if mold appears?
Mold happens when apples aren’t fully submerged. Remove the top layer and stir daily to prevent growth.
✅ Why does my ACV smell like alcohol?
It’s still fermenting! Give it a few more weeks until it turns from alcohol to vinegar.
✅ Can I speed up fermentation?
Adding raw, unpasteurized ACV with “the mother” to your batch can jumpstart the process.
✅ How long does homemade ACV last?
Properly stored, it can last indefinitely. Refrigeration slows further fermentation, but it’s optional.
Final Thoughts: A Homesteader’s Super Ingredient
Making your own apple cider vinegar is an easy, rewarding process that aligns perfectly with a homesteader’s and natural health enthusiast’s lifestyle. By fermenting your own ACV, you create a nutrient-rich, zero-waste, and multi-purpose staple that benefits your home, garden, and health.
Have you made your own ACV before? Share your experience in the comments below!
This post was all about making a cider vinegar recipe.
