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.
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 awoke@3AM 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!
Jacqueline A Wise says
Can this be taken immediately, if needed or does it have to sit for several days to be effective?
Mary Younkin says
I make it as needed, Jacqueline. You can take it immediately.
Tracy Gieler says
I don’t have powdered cayenne. Will hot sauce work, as it is cayenne pepper?
Mary Younkin says
I have no idea how that might work. I suppose if your hot sauce is only cayenne and vinegar, that could work. It might be way too strong though.
Carol says
Some liquid trickled down throat while dozing. Woke up coughing frantically, deeper and louder than ever before. Throat is raw and voice is either non-existent or sounds like a grizzly bear (not that loud). Don’t have ginger on hand. will it work without that, or what can I substitute for that?
Have a singing part in a couple of days. Would really like to paraticipate. Thanks
Mary Younkin says
It’s certainly worth trying without the ginger, Carol. I haven’t done that myself, but it’s worth a shot.
Starr says
Will This help with itchy throat and hoarseness of voice ?
Mary Younkin says
It does work to soothe a bit, but we use it primarily to ease coughing, Starr.
Leslie McPherson says
How many spoonfuls do I need to take!?
Mary Younkin says
I take 1 tablespoon, Leslie.
Sidney says
Is there anything I could use outside of honey? Honey inflames me.. I suspect an allergy.
Mary Younkin says
I suppose you could try monk fruit syrup? or agave? I’ve never tried either one, so I can’t really speak to how it might work.
RACHEL says
Maybe coconut nectar?
Mimi says
Greeted 2020 with a nice cough & a sore throat…ugh!! Just made this and have my fingers, nose & toes crossed it’ll ease the cough so sleep will a bit easier. Thanks for posting this recipe! I’ll check back with my results.
Mary Younkin says
I hope it helps, Mimi!
Trina says
I just made this I hope it works I’ve had this cough who knows how long and I’ve tried all over the counter meds and nothing. I’ll let you know in a couple of days fingers crossed it works.
Mary Younkin says
I hope you feel better soon, Trina!
J says
Thank you for saving my life. Bless you.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that the cough remedy was helpful!
Krissy says
I have to say I made this today, I’ve been up coughing all night and I got such a instant relief. Thank you so much for sharing I will be keeping a bottle on hand!
Mary Younkin says
I’m thrilled that the cough remedy is helping, Krissy!
Rachel Denise says
I am definitely gonna try this, cause this cough and soreness when I swallow is horrible and I went to the doctor and all they said was I have a really bad cough/cold, I’m at my withs end and will try anything so I’m praying this works.
Mary Younkin says
I hope it helps, Rachel!
Florence says
Yes. It’s that time of year again and I’m on line looking for your recipe again. Best cough medicine I’ve ever used. Thank you for keeping it on line.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that it is helpful, Florence!
Loren Gebo says
This is a family favorite for us. I add 1/4 t of cinnamon for its antioxidant and anti inflammatory properties.
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that it’s helpful, Loren!
Frances Charteris says
Thank you
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad that the cough remedy was helpful, Frances!