Homemade Honey Cough Drops
When that nagging cough is getting your down, what a relief to reach for one of your homemade honey cough drops. I always keep some of these on hand during the cold season. Instead of grabbing a bad from the drug store make your own throat lozenges – then you know what’s in them. In this guide for DIY cough drops, you will learn each step of the process and get some helpful tips too!
Even our modern medical establishments have recognized the value of honey. Honey recipes go far beyond the kitchen to benefit the whole body.
DIY Cough Drops – Why Bother?
Commercial cough drops are not that expensive and some of them work very well. But, they contain artificial colors, flavorings and refined sugars.
Homemade honey lozenges contain simple natural ingredients. Honey not only sweetens the drop, it also offers it’s own soothing properties to a scratchy throat.
In recent times, honey is documented to aid in relief for coughs or sore throats. While not a cure, any relief is welcomed when you are feeling bad. You may be surprised to learn how easy it is to make your own honey cough drops.
Ingredients You’ll Need
- honey
- lemon juice
- ground cinnamon
- ginger
Honey
What is the best honey for making throat lozenges ? I honestly don’t think it matters which variety you use for home remedies.
In general, good honey is just that. Nutritionally, there is very little difference among the different types of honey or varieties: such as – Sourwood honey, Clover honey or Wildflower (a mix of nectar sources).
However, it is believed that darker colored honey – has slightly more minerals. I chose to use my regular dark honey when making cough drops.
Try to buy 100% raw honey instead of pasteurized (if you have no underlying health issues). It retains more pollen and nutritious goodies-including anti-bacterial properties . These are often filtered out in commercial packaging.
Lemon Juice
In a pinch, bottled lemon juice will work just fine for making homemade cough drops (I have used the bottle ;). However, if you have the option – choose to squeeze some fresh lemon juice of your own. It is rich in vitamin C.
Cinnamon
Ground cinnamon is available in any local market. Regular ground cinnamon works fine and has anti-inflammatory properties – I think that ceylon cinnamon is a little more potent.
Ginger Root
Find a nice plump ginger root at your local market or grocery. You only need a small amount and it is not very costly. You can also use your left over root to make Honey Fire cider – a great remedy to keep on hand.
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Please read my disclosure.
Equipment Needed
Beyond the kitchen basics there are a few items that you may find helpful – candy thermometer, silicone molds and/or silicone baking mats.
Round Candy Molds Silicone
Small Silicone Baking MatsCandy Thermometer with Clip
Silicone Molds for Making Cough Drops
Now seriously, you don’t need a mold to make your own cough drops – but it can help maintain a consistent shape. There are many types of silicone candy molds that work well.
Keep in mind that these throat drops will go in your mouth. Don’t make them too big so that they become a choking risk. If you choose to not use a mold – dropping the hot mixture on a silicone mat will work.
Homemade Honey Cough Drops – Step by Step
(Full Instructions At Bottom of Post)
1. Mix together your ingredients in a medium-large sauce pan over medium heat. As the mixture comes to a boil it will rise up. Leave plenty of room for expansion or you will be cleaning the stove top.
2. While heating, stir constantly until the mixture reaches the hard-crack candy stage (300F – 150C) on a candy thermometer.
3. Remove from heat and let the mixture begin to cool. When you see that it is beginning to thicken, it is time to form the cough drops.
You can use a mold but dropping them by the small spoonful on a silicone mat works very well too.
4. Optional, once the honey cough drops are completely cool – a light sprinkling of powder sugar is a good idea. It helps to reduce the problem of them becoming sticky.
Variations
Starting with this basic recipe, it’s your turn to experiment. Try adjusting the flavor by adding a few drops of a food safe essential oil or flavoring oil.
Soothing herbs like chamomile or thyme are a good combo for some to try. If you want the lozenges a bit stronger -addd more ginger or even less – whatever fits your needs and taste buds.
Have fun creating a perfect recipe for honey cough drops for your family to enjoy.
Storage – Shelf Life
Store your homemade cough drops in an air-tight container on the counter. They will last for months.
These natural throat lozenges tend to be a bit stickier than commercial brands. Use a little powdered sugar at the end, you will be glad you did.
Depending on your climate – stickiness can be rather aggravation. If stickiness is an issue for you (it is for me), consider loosely wrapping the individual drops in wax paper and then storing them inside a container with a lid.
Expert Tips
- process is similar to making candy – works better when it is not humid
- be sure to cook the recipe to the required temperature to ensure setting
- the mixture will foam up while heating – choose a larger pot
- to ensure no sticking – wrap each one individually with wax paper
- don’t make the drops too big if not using a mold
- be careful to prevent burns – the hot mixture will scald skin – let them cool
Safety Notes
Natural cough drops can be a soothing, natural option for minor coughs. But, they are not right for everyone or every situation. Honey should never be given to children under 1 – unless under the advice of a pediatrician.
Also, cough drops only ease the symptoms – they are not a cure for the cause. If your cough lingers for several weeks – go see your doctor.
More Ideas
Here are more ways to seek relief from minor discomforts during the cold and flu season. If you prefer liquid – try this recipe for honey and cinnamon for cough relief.
Or, perhaps you like to sip hot tea – use plain honey in tea to add sweetness and flavor into your favorite brand of tea. These homemade honey gummies make a great treat to enjoy with hot tea.
Want more? Try this infused honey, lemon ginger tea to get an extra boost of healthy nutrients.
If you are a coffee lover (this I can get behind), perhaps a hot honey bee latte will give some relief.
To aid with that stuffy feeling of congestion, a common herbal remedy is to use a DIY Vapor Rub on your chest at night. The soothing vapors of essential oils offer some relief.
Final Thoughts
Unfortunately, there is no cure for a cold but making some home remedies with honey can help you make it through the journey. Enjoy making homemade cough drops with honey, ginger and lemon and be ready for the season of sniffles.
Did you like this recipe? Please leave a 5 star (⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐) rating in the recipe card below. And, don’t forget to follow me on Facebook and Pinterest.
Homemade Cough Drops Recipe
This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Read my disclosure.Ingredients
- 1/2 cup Honey
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon crushed ginger
- 1 tablespoon powdered sugar/cinnamon optional
Instructions
- Mix together the honey, ground cinnamon, lemon juice and ginger in a deep saucepan. Heat this mixture to a slow boil – stirring frequently. Use a wide flat spoon to stir well and prevent burning on the bottom.
- As with making hard candy, we want the mix to reach the hard-crack stage. A candy thermometer is helpful to determine when the 300F/150C temperature is reached. If you do not have a thermometer, drop a bit of the heated mixture into a bowl of cool water. When it hardens instantly — you are ready.
- Remove from heat and let the mixture begin to cool. Once it begins to thicken, you are ready to pour.Pour or spoon your honey cough drop mix into a mold of your choice. I often chose the hexagon shapes because I'm a beekeeper. If you don't have a mold, use a spoon to drop small amounts onto a piece of foil paper or a silicone mat. Keep your drops small – mine were a bit larger than I liked. But they worked out fine.
- Leave the honey cough drops to cool while you clean your utensils.
- Once completely cool to the touch, sprinkle them drops with a mixture of powdered sugar and cinnamon. Use your fingers to coat the surface of the cough drops and shake off any excess. This helps prevent them sticking together.
- Store in an air tight container and use when needed.
Hello, thank you for sharing this recipe! Is this something you can make in advance and not use for awhile until you need it? I wasn’t sure how long they are good for.
Absolutely, but understand that they tend to get sticky – So be sure to seal them well in a jar and I like to add a desiccant pack if I have one to combat humidity.
why don’t you put the amounts of each in the recipe? should I just guess?
They are already there – I would just scroll down to the recipe card at the bottom of the post that gives measurements and concise instructions. You can even print it out if you want
I made these today for my husband who has a sore throat. I had made ginger infused honey weeks back and I use that. I did not have a candy thermometer so with patience as the honey cooled and thickened, I did exactly as you had suggested and they came out Great! I will never buy store bought cough drops again. Thank you!
That’s wonderful to hear!! I need to make some more for us too!