This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy.
This Homemade Cough Remedy is a spicy, honey-cider syrup potent enough to calm a cough and soothe a sore throat. Over the past few years, this handy little remedy has become one of the most popular posts on this website.
As I mixed up a batch for my son last night, I decided to re-share it with all of you, as a testament to just how much we use it!
After making it all the way through the holidays without a cough, a sneeze, or a fever, cold season hit us like a freight train on New Year’s Day. My boys were miserable and I started to feel it as well after a couple of days.
I remembered saving this Homemade Cough Remedy recipe to try, so I shook up a tiny little test batch and tested a spoonful on myself.
Consider yourself warned, this is a natural cough suppressant that is both seriously spicy and potent enough to actually clear your head. Personally, I think it tastes better than any store-bought cough syrup I’ve tried.
With only a handful of pantry ingredients and a few minutes of effort, this Homemade Cough Remedy was sitting on my counter.
I was amazed at how well it worked to completely clear our congestion. My oldest son was willing to try it as well and I couldn’t believe how quickly it worked on his cough.
Homemade Cough Remedy
It cleared his throat and he slept solidly through the night. Over the counter cough medicines don’t even accomplish that for us!
The powerful ingredients in this remedy are common everyday items: ginger, cayenne, cider vinegar and honey. Yet they work together to create a potent remedy for cold symptoms. It’s definitely worth trying before turning to the medicine cabinet once again this winter.
Updated to add: I’ve been making this cough remedy for so long now, all three of my kids request it anytime they start coughing. The serving size (or dosage) will vary depending on the person. My 11 and 13-year-old sons take a tablespoon without a problem, my 7-year-old takes about a teaspoon. A full tablespoon works great for my husband and for me.
Kitchen Tip: I use this jar to store the cough remedy.
Homemade Cough Syrup
- Place the vinegar, honey, water, cayenne, and ginger in a small jar and shake to combine.
- Leave at room temperature for a few days or place in the refrigerator for longer storage.
- Shake well each time, before using. The spices will not dissolve into the liquid. It will not be a thick syrup, it should remain watery.
- Take as needed and have a happy and healthy new year!
Homemade Cough Remedy
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar preferably Bragg’s, if available
- 2 tablespoons honey locally produced raw honey is best, if available
- 2 tablespoons water
- 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger
Instructions
- Place all the ingredients in a small jar and shake to combine.
- Leave at room temperature for a few days or place in the refrigerator for longer storage.
- Shake well each time, before using. The spices will not dissolve into the liquid. It will not be a thick syrup, it should remain watery.
- Take as needed and have a happy and healthy new year!
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
{originally published 1/8/13 – recipe notes and photos updated 1/3/22}
This cough remedy has been gently adapted from and with thanks to Nancy Vienneau’s (no longer active) blog, Good Food Matters.
This cough remedy is fantastic. I made some today for me, took the first dose and haven’t coughed but a few times in almost 4 hours. I am going to keep this on hand. Tastes better than most cough medicine from the store.
I’m thrilled it was helpful!
i made this back in december after catching a NASTY sinus cold. between the cough, the sore throat AND being stuffy and regular meds wearing off and still having to work as we were down. dispatcher and we had no other authorized officers to over dispatch as we were short officers ( i work graveyard) i made this and took this before id go to bed and i’d be able to sleep without coughing up a lung. it took a month to fully kick and recover from that cold but this remedy is amazing!
I’m so glad it was helpful, Melanie.
This is a staple in our home, we love it!
Whenever my husband gets sick, he always asks for this cough syrup
Thank you so much!!
You’re welcome. I’m glad this remedy has helped your husband.
What happens if we drink the whole thing at once because we didn’t read the instructions
Will it do any harm?
Thank you
There’s really nothing there to harm you, but you might get some heartburn from the cayenne.
I found this recipe online and decided to try it for my husband who recently caught a nagging cough. I noticed a change immediately. Recipe is very simple and were staples I had in my pantry. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe
I’m so happy to hear that the cough remedy helped him!
Can you make this and let it sit a day? I have a mild cough and a little irritation in back of my throat and need it in a hurry.
Sure, Stacey. When we are coughing, I typically mix up a jar and just leave it on the counter for a few days.
How much do adults take daily thanks
This isn’t really something we take daily. Just a tablespoon or so when you need it. There’s nothing here that can’t be taken often.
Wow!!! I wish I had read this sooner! My son has been sick all week and the cough came on strong last 3 days, sometimes so bad he throws up but luckily he’s been able to sleep, expect tonight. He’s been up all night coughing, I tried ALL my go tos but nothing was working. I found your recipe at 4am, and knew I was out of ACV and ginger so ran to the store which doesn’t open until 5 so had to settle for cvs which only had acv.
I can only imagine how well it will work when I go to get ginger later this morning and after it’s been sitting for a bit but I gave it to him over an hour ago and have only heard him cough once. Thank you so much for sharing this, definitely going to be a staple and be passing this along to my mom friends!
I am so very happy to hear that it helped his cough, Krystal!
I make this for my husbandwhen he’s sick and he loves it, helps him a lot.
Can this be stored in the fridge or keep on the counter due to the honey in it? If it stays on the counter. How long will it keep?
I keep it on the counter for as long as we need it, usually about a week
This is a lifesaver! We always make it when we get sick and it’s the only aid i have for those very worst throat infections where pastils and store bought cough medicine is of no use. Before i had this, i would stay awake all night spitting in a bucket as swallowing was so painful. This syrup oils the throat nicely.
I’m so glad to hear it has helped!
I can’t live without it. Easy to make but it is pretty spicy. Thank you.
I’m so glad it has helped!
My partner has been coughing like crazy the past 2 days. I remember my mom making this when I was a kid. She added lemon juice to it. I’d forgotten all about this until just now. It’s helping him. Thank u. I didn’t add lemon juice but will the next batch.
I’m so very happy to hear that it helped!
Amazing! It works great! Thank you for sharing! I’ve had a painful cough and sore throat all day and worried I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. 🙏🏼 🙏🏼 🙏🏼
Thank you so much for taking the time to rate the recipe and let me know you love it, May. I’m so glad it’s helping you!
that is the very best cough recipe ever….. unfortunately I have to make it again. but thank you thank you
I’m so to hear that you need it again, but thrilled that it is helping, Patti!