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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.
I have acute upper respiratory infection. Hurts my throat so much to cough or sneeze. Made this last night and did not cough once all night long. LOVE it. Recipe will go in my recipe drawer! Thank you so much!
Wow!!! I can’t stand to take over the counter or prescription cough syrup. I definitely make it. My husband has a morning and night cough. I have ashma, so I cough some with that. Thanks Linda
Does this help with a sore throat? My throat has been so dry and hurting due to the dry air. Is this ok to take while pregnant as well? Assuming so because it’s all natural but you never know with anything these days it feels like.
I’m for sure going to try this
I need something for a bad sore throat.
Did this actually work for anyone or what? Don’t want to add anything extra like some people are doing. Just want to know if the actual recipe work. I swear.
Also, the ads are a bit annoying. Sorry. Just being real.
Hi John,
This cough remedy has worked well as written for hundreds of people, as evidenced by the comments on this post. My own family has been using this remedy for years with great success. I’m sorry to hear that the ads annoy you. However, those ads help make the free content provided on this website possible.
All the best,
Mary
This cough syrup started working in literally minutes! I slept on the couch last night not to wake up my husband with the horrible cough I had and I forgot to stop by the store today, because cough didn’t bother me during the day. Amazing homemade remedy, all I can say! I made a batch and took 2 table spoons! I couldn’t breath for a moment lol, too hot, but the cough was gone immediately! I also put a warm scarf around my neck to keep area warm. I came to bed and it’s bin 1 hour after I took the remedy and I didn’t cough one single time! Thank you so much, Mary, for sharing this recipe with us!
I use this recipe now for the last few years. Works and I have passed this on to everybody. Thanks for sharing!!! Merry Christmas and have a healthy New Year!!! 😘
Worth a try!!
I have not had any reason to use your homemade cough syrup, but it sounds like a really good & helpful thing. So much so that I’ve passed it on in FB. Thanks so much for this. And I really enjoy your tips & recipes….your website is just GREAT!
How much to you take a one time?? A regular teaspoon? Couldn’t find it in the directions
How often can / should this be taken?
You may take it as needed. There’s nothing here that should be limited like a medicine from the store.
I came down with the flu for the last few days. My throat hurt to swallow, my nose was congested, my cough was hacking and my ears hurt. So I made this before I went to sleep. The only difference is, I used lemon juice instead of water, and I didn’t have cayenne so I used a mix of cinnamon and freshly ground black pepper. THIS IS MAGIC SYRUP!! I IMMEDIATELY felt my throat clear with each spoonful. I ended up chugging the whole thing! It was awful, but I felt SO much better afterwards. My throat barely hurt when I swallowed, my nose cleared, and my voice came back. This stuff is AMAZING! MAKE IT RIGHT NOW!!
I did see a doctor and I am on medication, but if you want relief from cold/flu symptoms, make this!
How much should I take?
I take a tablespoon.
Hey!
I just tried this with my boyfriend and it actually tasted better than we thought. My nose felt better right away nice one!
Made this cough remedy will let you know. Taste good. Thanks for sharing
You do swallow it, right?
Yes
goes down so smooth. didn’t gag at all. thankfully not salty. i would have trouble swallowing if it was warm and salty.
I’m wondering what is the dosage?
I take 1 tablespoon.