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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've been congested for 3 days and the cough just began last evening and progressing today … I am heading to the kitchen NOW to make this! Thanks for the post!
Have had a nasty cough for two weeks. OTC cough syrup has high fructose corn syrup so sure don't want that. Going into kitchen to try this stuff.
Dad finished his 5th round of chemotherapy for lymphoma and developed a nasty, sleep-stealing cough. Just gave him some of this and he said that he could feel it working already. Will post again in a couple of days with an update, but here's keeping my fingers crossed! He's been through enough already.
nice
Just made it and took a spoonful. Woooah ! very spicy! can feel it working already
I came looking for a recipe like this because I have a bad cold with a bad cough, the prescription cough syrup I was given doesn't seem to be working and I can only take if every 4 hours. I didnt have cayenne pepper but i had all the other ingredients. Just took a dose and will let you know how it goes.
thanks for posting the recipe
I made a batch of this but added a few things…Lemon juice, turmeric and some coconut oil. Not only does it work but it seems that adding these other ingredients makes it taste great!!
I have made this for a few members of my family & they said it definately worked for them. My aunt has had a cough for a while & the medecine the dr prescribed ($30) didn't work so I made this yesterday & she took it before going to bed & rested all night where the night before she didn't sleep much at all from all the coughing she had done.
This is so awesome! I love the flavour, tastes like Mexican candy, for me it's not hot at all and really helps with my soar throat!
I REALLY wanted/wished this worked for me but it just didn't. I don't know if it's because I have been coughing for a week already or not. I'm a health nut and I love all natural remedies. The taste was great but I'm still coughing and my throat is sore as ever. 🙁
I'm so sorry that you are feeling miserable. I wish it could have worked for you!
I was impressed by how it calmed my cough right away
Better tasting when you replace the ground ginger with fresh chopped ginger and a squeeze of lemon.
I'm on my second dose and wow!
I have been using this recipe for several years now with excellent results. There are no over the counter medicines that work nearly as well. Most if not all are useless.
How often are you to take this? Every 4-6hours like otc meds or as needed?
Just made it and amazing it stopped my cough almost immediately. Thank you.
Apple cider vinegar and honey are very good for many problems, especially if taken daily, diluted in water. Dr. D.C. Jarvis wrote a whole book on it!
We've been using this recipe of yours for two years now – have yet to buy another cough remedy since. It works. We swear by it and have recommended it to so many friends and family – all of whom are amazed how effective it is. I even shared it with a doctor who was rather impressed!
We had such awful colds this winter. I wish I had this recipe to help us fight it! Making a batch of this remedy this week for sure!
Oh wow! Love it. Thanks for sharng this recipe. I am saving it.
Velva