Fermented Honey Garlic Tonic

Ingredients

• 1-1/4 c. Fresh Garlic Cloves
• 1 c. Water
• 1 c. Sugar
• 6 oz. Raw Unfiltered Honey
• Splash of Raw Apple Cider Vinegar (optional)

Preparation

• Peel the Garlic
  • Remove the skins by lightly smashing the cloves with a knife or shaking them in a sealed container. Trim off any bruised areas.
• (Optional) Slice or Bruise the Cloves
  • Lightly bruising or slicing them releases juices, which help kickstart fermentation.
• Pack the Jar with Garlic
  • Fill a clean pint-sized glass jar halfway to two-thirds full with garlic cloves.
• Pour the sugar over the garlic in the jar.
• Fill the jar with water within a 1/2-inch of the rim of the jar.
• Lid & Shake
  • Secure the lid and give the jar a gentle shake to coat everything.
  • Loosen the lid slightly to allow gases to escape.
• Seal jar with the lid and store in a cool dark place for 2-weeks.
  • Daily burp the jar as the fermentation process begins.
    • Check for Bubbles
      • Within a few days to a week, you’ll see tiny bubbles—this means fermentation is happening!
  • After resecuring the lid give the jar a shake.
  • Name your fermented garlic as it is ALIVE! I named ours, Fred.
• After 2-weeks, drain the liquid off the garlic.
• Cover the garlic in the jar with enough honey so that all the garlic is fully submerged in the honey.
• Wait at least 24-hours before using.
  • This concoction is shelf safe and will last about 1 year, but likely much longer.
  • Continue burping and stirring the concotion daily.

Notes

Fermented honey garlic is a natural remedy that combines two simple ingredients into a delicious, immune-boosting ferment. Whether you’re looking to improve your wellness routine or add some delicious flavor to your cooking, this simple ferment is packed with not only flavor but antibacterial, antiviral, and probiotic benefits.

Delicious and very versatile. It’s great-tasting straight from the spoon, you can add some of the honey to tea for an interesting flavor, or use it in cooking.

Health Benefits

This is not only incredibly flavorful, but it is full of medicinal properties making it a must-have for your home apothecary.

• Boosts Immunity – Garlic contains compounds like allicin that support immune function, and honey is a natural antibacterial powerhouse.
• Supports Digestion – The fermentation process introduces probiotics, making this easier to digest and improving gut health.
• Soothes Cold & Flu Symptoms – Honey soothes sore throats, and garlic helps fight off infections.
• Anti-inflammatory & Antiviral – Both ingredients have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to support healing and wellness.

When mixed and fermented, these two ingredients create a probiotic-rich mixture that enhances their natural benefits and makes them more bioavailable to the body.

What About Botulism

This is a common concern when fermenting foods, but fermented honey garlic is safe. While both honey and garlic can contain botulism spores, the fermentation process creates an acidic environment that prevents the toxin from forming.

If you want extra reassurance, use pH test strips as botulism cannot survive in an environment with a pH of 4.6 or lower. If needed, a splash of raw apple cider vinegar can help lower the pH even further.

f the garlic turns blue or green, don’t worry—it’s still safe! This is just a harmless reaction that happens during fermentation.

How to Use Fermented Honey Garlic

• As an immune booster – Take a spoonful of honey and a clove of garlic when you feel a cold coming on.
• In tea – Stir the honey into warm tea for a soothing throat remedy.
• As a marinade or dressing – Adds a sweet-savory depth to meats, salads, and stir-fries.
• For soups & broths – Stir into bone broth or soups for extra immune support.

Safety Reminder: Honey (including this ferment) should never be given to infants under one year old.