Herbal Infused Vinegars
- Laura Van Horn
- Nov 11, 2022
- 4 min read
Updated: Jan 29
A Simple Way to Bring Herbs Into Everyday Life
Herbal vinegars are one of the easiest and most versatile ways to work with herbs. They slip naturally into daily routines; used in the kitchen, in DIY cleaning products, in personal care, and in traditional home remedies, without requiring complicated equipment or preparation.
Whether you are crafting a bright salad dressing, a warming oxymel, or a simple muscle rub, infused vinegars bring both flavor and function to everyday herbal practice.
Why Use Infused Vinegars?
Raw apple cider vinegar (ACV) at 5% acidity has a long history of traditional use; vinegar is an excellent and easily accessible solvent for extracting minerals, vitamins, and aromatic compounds from herbs.
Herbal vinegar preparations may be used along with other healthy dietary habits to:
Support healthy blood sugar levels
Support healthy cholesterol levels
Offer antioxidant and antimicrobial activity
Support healthy gut flora
Support digestion and appetite
Serve as a base for preparations such as oxymels and fire cider
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, straightforward, 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)
If using roots, fill only halfway since they tend to expand
If using dried leaves and flowers, you can fill up to two-thirds of the jar
Pour vinegar over the herbs until the herbs are submerged, leaving a little headroom
Use 1 part herb to 2 parts vinegar as a general rule
Use a plastic lid, or place wax paper under a metal lid to prevent corrosion
Add more vinegar as needed
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 the herbs in the vinegar
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
Herbal-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.
References
Ostman E, Granfeldt Y, Persson L, Björck I. Vinegar supplementation lowers glucose and insulin responses and increases satiety after a bread meal in healthy subjects. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2005 Sep;59(9):983-8. doi: 10.1038/sj.ejcn.1602197. PMID: 16015276.
Hadi A, Pourmasoumi M, Najafgholizadeh A, Clark CCT, Esmaillzadeh A. The effect of apple cider vinegar on lipid profiles and glycemic parameters: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. BMC Complement Med Ther. 2021 Jun 29;21(1):179. doi: 10.1186/s12906-021-03351-w. PMID: 34187442; PMCID: PMC8243436.
Abou-Khalil R, Andary J, El-Hayek E. Apple cider vinegar for weight management in Lebanese adolescents and young adults with overweight and obesity: a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled study. BMJ Nutr Prev Health. 2024 Mar 12;7(1):61-67. doi: 10.1136/bmjnph-2023-000823. PMID: 38966098; PMCID: PMC11221284.
Tehrani SD, Keshani M, Rouhani MH, Moallem SA, Bagherniya M, Sahebkar A. The Effects of Apple Cider Vinegar on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Clinical Trials. Curr Med Chem. 2025;32(11):2257-2274. doi: 10.2174/0929867331666230822102021. PMID: 37608660.
Castagna A, Ferro Y, Noto FR, Bruno R, Aragao Guimaraes A, Pujia C, Mazza E, Maurotti S, Montalcini T, Pujia A. Effect of Apple Cider Vinegar Intake on Body Composition in Humans with Type 2 Diabetes and/or Overweight: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Nutrients. 2025 Sep 19;17(18):3000. doi: 10.3390/nu17183000. PMID: 41010525; PMCID: PMC12472926.
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