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
{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.
Sheila Blank says
Hi,
I don’t have cayenne pepper on hand., and not certain I want much spice.
What can be used as a substitute?:
Thanks!
Jennifer says
Why use the cayenne pepper? How does it help? I found that it burned going down and made me cough even more.
Kay says
I believe because cayenne helps break up congestion which can cause sore throats and coughs.
Suzy Dolan says
Just made this for my husband… it seems to be working! Thank you!!
Beth says
What have I done wrong? My 4 yr old has taken it every 3 hrs for the last 12 hrs, and she’s still currently coughing to the point of wretching, even straight after taking the syrup. I like the burn as it goes down the throat. She drinks water or has another spoon of honey to help with the spice of it, do you think that might impact the efficacy?
Mary says
Honestly, if your daughter is coughing at that level, I would suggest seeing a doctor. This cough remedy is simply meant to soothe her throat. There isn’t a long-term benefit. If it doesn’t give her relief immediately, it likely won’t work over time.
Angela M Shangreaux says
Is this ok for children ages 1 & up?
Silverdish says
Be careful! Babies should never ever ingest honey…
Delcia says
Hello, is it to Gina to a 3 and a half Year old. Thanks
Amy says
How long does it keep?
Miranda says
I’ve been referencing and making this concoction for several years now! My daughter asked me today if it’s possible to make cough drops out of this. What do you think?
Laura says
This is awesome. Thank you!
Chris says
This works well. For those who don’t like the heat of the cayenne, understand that the capsaicin, that gives the pepper it’s heat, works as a decongestant and expectorant, helping to clear nasal passages and break up mucous. It also relieves the throat irritation to lessen the coughing. The initial heat may be tough, but it’s worth it in the long term.
Gail Stewart says
I am allergic to Cayenne Pepper is there substitute?
Mary says
You can still make this without the cayenne, but it might not be as effective. I don’t know of a substitute.
Stefanie says
Gail, I have a similar recipe, and while I do use cayenne in that recipe, I also use a pink of black pepper and turmeric (1/4 tsp also), a dash of cinnamon, and lemon juice (instead of water). Might be worth a shot 🙂 good luck!
Robin says
What is your whole recipe? with everything?
Holly Esslinger says
Thank you! This has saved me ! My children hate all over the counter syrups but will take this. I bought glass bottles at Michaels and store the syrup in there.
Realme says
Amazing for blocked sinuses cause a cough. It cleared the congestion and nasty gunk almost immediately and I started to feel better almost straight away. It also left my throat and chest feeling warm and comforted, Thankyou! !
Emily says
I would love t o try this! How long does it last in the cabinet? A week,?
Mary says
It should be fine for at least a week. We usually go through it before then if one of us has a cough.
Jill says
This usually works for me as disgusting as it is. I plug my nose and kinda stomp my feet as it goes down. Unfortunately, the last time I was sick it didn’t help. But I have a cough now and I’m going to give it a whirl.
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!