Herbal Infused Vinegars
- Laura Van Horn
- Nov 11, 2022
- 3 min read
Updated: Nov 11
A Simple Way to Bring Herbs Into Everyday Life
Herbal vinegars are one of the easiest, most versatile ways to enjoy the benefits of herbs. They can be used throughout the home - in skincare, cleaning, cooking, or even wellness tonics.
Whether you are crafting a zesty salad dressing, a muscle-soothing rub, or a supportive oxymel, infused vinegars bring both flavor and function to your herbal practice.
Why Use Infused Vinegars?
When made with raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) at 5% acidity, herbal vinegars naturally carry a variety of potential benefits, such as:
Supporting healthy blood sugar levels
Promoting good cholesterol balance
Offering antioxidant and antimicrobial activity
Supporting healthy gut flora
ACV also helps extract the minerals, vitamins, and aromatic compounds from herbs — making it a wonderful, nutrient-rich medium.
Tip: If you’re not a fan of apple cider vinegar, you can experiment with balsamic, red wine, white wine, or rice vinegar for different flavors and purposes.
How to Make an Herbal Vinegar Infusion
Making infused vinegars is simple and rewarding. You only need herbs, vinegar, a clean jar, and time.
Basic Method
Fill a clean glass jar about half full with herbs (fresh or dried)
Pour vinegar over the herbs until the jar is full
Use 1 part herb to 2 parts vinegar as a general rule
If using roots, fill only halfway since they expand
Dried leaves and flowers can fill up to two-thirds of the jar
Use a plastic lid, or place wax paper under a metal lid to prevent corrosion
Label your jar with the contents and date
Store at room temperature, out of direct sunlight, for 3–4 weeks
Shake occasionally
Optionally, strain when ready, but it is ok to leave them in
Your infused vinegar will keep for 6–12 months if stored in a cool, dark place
Ways to Use Herbal Vinegars
Culinary
Salad dressings and vinaigrettes
Marinades and braises
Drizzled over roasted vegetables
Mixed with oil for bread dips
Wellness & Topical
As a base for fire cider or oxymels (vinegar + honey)
In acne washes, hair rinses, or muscle rubs
As a mild household cleaner (use white vinegar for this purpose)
When mixed with honey, herbal vinegars transform into an oxymel, a traditional sweet-and-sour remedy that supports digestive and respiratory health.
Recommended Reading
A Few Great Herbal Vinegar Combinations to Try
Beautiful Bread Dip Vinegar
Perfect paired with olive oil for dipping crusty bread!
16 oz mason jar
¼ cup thyme
¼ cup fresh chopped chives or green onions
1-inch fresh minced ginger
1 Tbsp chopped rosemary
2–3 cloves garlic
Fill the remaining space of a 16-oz mason jar with apple cider vinegar
Easy Marinade
Use for meats, vegetables, or salad dressings
Fill a 16-oz mason jar halfway with fresh herbs (basil, oregano, thyme, rosemary)
Add 2–4 cloves of garlic
Fill the remaining space with the vinegar of choice
Honey Glaze Oxymel
16 oz mason jar
2 heads garlic (peeled, whole)
1 rosemary sprig
Fill the jar with a 50:50 mix of honey and balsamic vinegar
Remove rosemary after infusion, but leave garlic—it’s delicious!
Fire Cider
Take 1 Tbsp up to three times a day during cold and flu season
16 oz mason jar
8–10 cloves of garlic
1-inch grated ginger
1 Tbsp horseradish
Pinch of cayenne
¼ mix of rosemary and thyme
Fill the jar with apple cider vinegar and infuse for 3–4 weeks
Muscle Rub Vinegar
Rub gently on sore muscles or stiff joints
Small mason jar
Fill a small jar halfway with rosemary and cleavers (catchweed/sticky willy)
Fill the remaining space with the vinegar of choice
After infusing and straining, optionally add just a few drops of frankincense, juniper berry, or lavender essential oil
Final Thoughts
Infused vinegars are one of those simple yet powerful herbal preparations that connect the kitchen, the garden, and wellness all in one jar. Whether you use them for flavor, skincare, or seasonal support, they are a wonderful way to make herbalism a daily habit.
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