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 seriously spicy and potent enough to actually clear your head. Personally, I think it tastes better than any store-bought syrup I’ve tried.
With only a handful of pantry ingredients and a few minutes 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.
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 Homemade 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!
- 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
- 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!
{originally published 1/8/13 – recipe notes and photos updated 9/19/17}
JDJ says
Haven’t tried it myself, but I made it for my 16 yrs old son, and almost immediately his throat felt better, while his coughing diminished quickly, after his 2nd or 3rd treatment his cough was almost gone; took about 3 days for him to get rid of his cold.
Mary says
I’m so happy that it helped!
Ann says
Thank you for the recipe.I would like to know if the ginger should be fresh or dried?I know the dried one is not that potent.
Mary Younkin says
I use dried ginger, Ann.
Gail says
I have been making this for about two years. I can’t believe how well it works. It is nasty tasting, but worth slugging it down to get the benefit of it. My husband, who hates spicy, will get it down with lots of grumbling and sometimes bad language. He thinks it helps him sleep also. Probably the honey. I have given the recipe to lots of friends with the warning that if they tell my husband what’s in it, the friendship is over. I make 8 times the recipe and keep it in the refrigerator. It lasts us about a year, works just as well at the bottom of the bottle. Thank you so much for this great recipe.
Mary says
I’m thrilled that it has helped your family, Gail!
Cheryl says
I made this recipe this morning as I have not been able to slee for two nights bc of congestion and cough along with a sore throat. I must say I’ve taken 2 teaspoons so far today and I’m coughing a lot less and praying for a good nights slee tonight. I’m not sure if this remedy had anything to do with it but it seems to be clearing a lot of moucus up when I blow my nose which is a plus!! Thanks!
Mary says
I’m thrilled that the cough remedy was helpful, Cheryl!
modapkx says
This is such a great idea! I’ll definitely have to keep this on hand because we always get sick sometime in the winter without fail!
Dana H. says
I’ve got a little one so I don’t have time to go and get some otc syrup. I made this stuff and it was like an insta-fix. Thank you so much!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so happy to hear that it worked for you, Dana!
Betty Nichols says
Thank you for the cough recipe I have a cough I can’t get rid of.
Mary Younkin says
I hope it helps!
D. M. says
Can I give this to a 15 month old?
Mary Younkin says
Personally, I would not. There’s a good bit of heat from the cayenne and many people advise waiting until 18 months before introducing honey.
David Mathis says
Your Homemde Cough Remedy is awesome. I take it for congestion, even before the cough so that I don’t get sick at all.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad it’s helpful, David!
Cinde Lagoo says
Can you substitute cilantro for the cayenne pepper
Mary Younkin says
You can certainly try that, but I have no idea how it might taste or work, Cinde.
Raji says
I pray that this will work for me! I have a horrible cold/flu bug – double whammy – and the cough has kept me up for 3 nights. The cough is the worst I have ever had and is deep in my chest – congestion – sometimes phelgm comes up; sometimes not. Sore and terrible body aches. I need to rest but the cough will not stop. I have myself propped up (uncomfortable but what can you do), I am drinking LOTS of water and other homemade brews with ginger, garlic, tumeric, lemon, etc. Took cold calm in the beginning but stopped that. Have humidifier going. ETC. Am about to go to bed – I pray this will work. I am hopeful. I’ll let you know. Thanks for posting.
Mary Younkin says
I hope it helps, Raji!
Jay says
Best stuff ever. Nothing was working on my wife’s cough so I whipped this up. She took it hesitantly and after a few minutes coughed and said something smart. That was the last cough for hours. She now lauds this recipe.
Mary Younkin says
I am thrilled that it helped, Jay! That’s awesome.
Alisia Aviles says
Mary, thank you so mucj for the recipe! I sent my son to bed w/a spoonful of Nyquil. I [email protected] to hear him coughing up a lung! I went to the internet & found your recipe, he slept the rest of the night w/no more cough! Amazing! Thank you🙏
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that it helped, Alisia!
Andrea Sandman says
In place of the ground fresh ginger, cus I substitute powdered Ginger?
Mary Younkin says
The cough remedy calls for powdered ginger. You’re good to go with that, Andrea.
Danielle says
Okay so I literally tried this with no expectations but here’s what happened. So after some initial coughing after chugging a tablespoon of this, I noticed I was coughing less and far more productively rather than the painful, dry coughing I’ve been having. I don’t know what this did but I’m not mad about it.
Mary Younkin says
I’m happy to hear that it helped, Danielle!