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.
Julie says
I have to say my son was quite comical when he took the first spoonful but I think it was the reaction of the cayenne and the honey but it definitely worked as he only needed it for one day and was back to school the next.
Mary Younkin says
That is funny, Julie. It does have a way of soothing that irritating cough.
Forsse Joyce says
My Dad use to make the most wonderful fluffy pancakes . They had rye-graham flour and butter milk in them. The batter was a bit thicker than most pancakes recipes. Do you think you could find a similar recipe, as our sons use to love these pancakes when they were little boys,, and now they are in their late 50’s. I would love to surprise them with this recipe on their birthdays this year. Thank you! The cough medicine is going to be made and used at our house!
Mary Younkin says
I have not heard of those, Joyce. I will definitely keep my eye out for that with you in mind.
Tia says
Hi Mary, thank you for this, I will be giving it a try, it looks promising.
How often should it be taken and what amount at any one time?
Mary Younkin says
I usually do about a tablespoon as needed.
Lydia says
Hi Mary ,thanks for the cough syrup ingredients, would you also post the measurements/ portions of each ingredients!. Thanks again.
Mary Younkin says
Lydia – Scroll to the recipe card or use the “Jump to Recipe” tab at the top of the page and it will take you to the measurements. I hope that helps.
Bonnie Caroprese says
My go to recipe when I have a sore throat or cold. Have been using it for years !
Mary Younkin says
Love hearing that, Bonnie.
Tumeaka Berry says
This cough syrup is delicious!I just started it today so I’m not sure how well it works yet!
Mary Younkin says
I do hope it helps to soothe your throat and you feel better soon, Tumeaka.
PJ says
I stumbled on this recipe after a day of a irritating sore throat. Quick and easy to make. I wish I could say the same about my husband taking it. (Big baby). Took him 3 minutes before he took it. I will keep this on hand. Thank you for sharing this 😊
Mary Younkin says
Oh, those husbands. I hope you feel better soon and am glad this helped soothe your throat.
Mary Holiday says
Hi Mary, I want to make your cough syrup but I’m out of ginger. I have a bag of ginger tea. Can I use the inside of the ginger tea?
Mary Younkin says
I am not familiar will all of the ingredients in the tea to be able to help you.
Phyllis says
It really is a great cough syrup. My dad had Covid. It took his coughing away. We both take daily. No more congestion. Taste Great.
Mary Younkin says
Thank you, Phyllis. I am very glad this cough syrup brought him some relief.
Leslie G says
This sounds amazing. But what if you do not have ginger? Go get it? It is there a replacement??
Mary Younkin says
There is not a good substitute for ginger in this recipe, Leslie.
Milan Bisui says
Thank you for sharing this helpful and natural cough remedy recipe. It’s great to have alternatives to over-the-counter medications, and your detailed instructions make it easy to follow. I appreciate the time and effort you put into creating this post and providing a healthier option for those suffering from coughs.
Mary Younkin says
Thank you, Milan. I am so happy this recipe has provided many with some relief.
Corinne says
Thank you for recipe, it really helped
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad it helped, Corinne! Feel better soon.
AnitaS says
My husband has pneumonia and I have bronchitis we just made some of this cough syrup and I am hoping it works.
Mary Younkin says
Fingers crossed, Anita. I hope you both recover soon.
Wendy Inglis says
I had completely forgotten about this recipe as I rarely get a cold or flu
But just this past week I have come down with a chest cold and sore throat I have all the ingredients on hand in the house so will make it up now, as the mixture my husband bought me is not working after 4 days
Thank you Wendy in Qld Australia
Mary Younkin says
You are welcome, Wendy. I hope the cough remedy helps you feel better.
Emily says
Will leaving the cayenne pepper out affect the recipe’s effectiveness? We don’t use that strong of pepper so I don’t have it. Thank you!
Mary Younkin says
It will still be helpful, just not quite as strong, Emily!
SHIRLEY YOUNG says
Very effective combination. I used saved commercial cough syrup bottles. I knew they would come in handy!! I made 2 batches, keeping the extra one in the fridge. I also added turmeric, as I have to fight sore throats, need the anti-inflammatory properties. With the honey, and added cinnamon, it almost has a cherry flavour to it.
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad you were able to adapt the remedy to meet your needs, Shirley.
MoniqueG says
Hi Shirley, how much of the additions did you add to this recipe?
Anne says
This cough medicine works incredibly well. I didn’t have Cheyenne pepper so I added some ground black pepper. I slept for 5 hrs without coughing once, whereas the night before I had coughed all night. All natural and tastes good too!!
Mary Younkin says
I’m so glad it helped, Anne!
RITA Peterson says
of course, we are assuming that I have the normal, kitchen pantry regulars. I don’t even have sugar and flour. LOL
Mary Younkin says
In that case, you’d need to pick up the ingredients for this one, Rita.
Janissa says
Can diabetic take this cough mixture
Mary Younkin says
Hi, Janissa! While I can’t think of any ingredients that might cause an issue, I’m really not the authority to consult for that.
philomela arias says
yummy and delicious
Mary Younkin says
I’m glad the cough remedy’s a hit.