Lately, I’ve really been hooked on creating natural remedies at home so we can avoid relying so much on pharmaceuticals for every little thing. I shared a bit of our story in another post and talked about why I’ve been putting more effort into learning about natural remedies and simple homemade options.
Now, just to be clear, I’m not a doctor and I don’t have any medical background. But I do believe there is real value in natural remedies, and in our home, I like them to be our first line of defense before turning to prescriptions whenever it makes sense.
One of my favorite things to make, especially when itchy throats and cough start making the rounds, is homemade natural cough drops with ginger, honey, lemon, and cinnamon.
They’re soothing, flavorful, and made with pantry staples I usually already have on hand. These little cough drops are amazing and taste really good!
A Gentle Reminder
Even though I love natural remedies and use them often in our home, I always think it’s important to use wisdom. These homemade cough drops are meant to soothe and comfort, not replace medical care when it’s needed. If symptoms are severe, persistent, or worsening, it’s always best to check with a healthcare professional. Also, keep in mind that honey should not be given to babies under 1 year old and this cough drops should not be given to small kids to avoid choking.
Why Make Homemade Cough Drops?
Store-bought cough drops are convenient, but many of them are loaded with artificial flavors, dyes, refined sugar, and unhealthy sweeteners. When I make my own, I know exactly what’s going into them.
These homemade cough drops are made with simple ingredients that have been traditionally used to soothe the throat and cough up mucus:
- Ginger brings warmth and has a strong, comforting flavor.
- Honey is naturally soothing and coats the throat beautifully.
- Lemon adds brightness and a fresh citrus kick.
- Cinnamon adds warmth and rounds everything out with a cozy taste.
Benefits of the Main Ingredients
Ginger
Ginger is one of my favorite natural ingredients to use when someone in the house starts feeling run down. It has a warming quality and it gives these cough drops a lovely spicy depth. A 2022 study shows that the combination of ginger and honey is quite effective in alleviating cough symptoms with minimal side effects.
Honey
Honey is a staple in so many natural remedy recipes for good reason. This study found that the use of honey to relieve acute cough symptoms in children is more effective than several types of cough medications.
It’s soothing, naturally sweet, and helps give these cough drops that smooth texture.
Lemon
Vitamin C in lemon is known to help reduce inflammation in the throat and boost the immune system. A 2023 study shows that a mixture of honey and lemon can help relieve a mild cough.
Lemon also brightens up the flavor and keeps these cough drops from tasting too heavy or overly sweet. It pairs so well with honey and ginger and adds that familiar soothing tea flavor in candy form.
Cinnamon
Cinnamon not only adds a comforting homemade taste to the cough drops but it also helps treat cough. It's been used as an expectorant, making it easier to cough up mucus and clear your airways
Homemade Natural Cough Drops Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup honey
- 2 tablespoon fresh ginger, finely grated or minced
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- Optional: extra powdered sugar, arrowroot powder, or tapioca starch for dusting. However, I recommend wrap each candy with a parchment paper to keep them from sticking to each other.
Supplies
- Saucepan
- Candy thermometer (optional)
- Parchment paper or silicone mat
- Spoon or small mold
- Airtight container for storage
How to Make Homemade Cough Drops
1. Prepare your workspace
Before you start cooking, line a baking sheet, plate, or cutting board with parchment paper. If you’re using silicone candy molds, have those ready too. Once the honey mixture reaches temperature, you’ll want to work quickly.
2. Combine Ingredients in a Pot
Simply combine all ingredients in a pot and stir.
3. Heat the Mixture
Heat the mixture, stirring often so it doesn’t scorch.
4. Bring to hard crack stage
Continue cooking until the mixture reaches about 300°F on a candy thermometer. This is what helps the cough drops harden properly. Keep a close eye on it because honey can go from perfect to burnt pretty quickly.
If you don’t have a thermometer, just watch the mixture carefully. If it starts boiling up too much and looks like it may spill out of the pot, take it off the heat for a moment. Then place it back on the stove and continue cooking until it reaches a thick consistency (see video).
5. Shape the cough drops
There are a few ways to do this.
- Working quickly, spoon small rounds of the hot mixture onto parchment paper and let them cool completely until hardened.
- Pour the hot mixture into silicone molds, and remove the cough drops once fully set.
- My personal preference is to let the candy thicken a bit more first (video). Then, scoop it out with a spoon and let it cool just enough to handle it safely. Once it's cool enough you don't burn your hands, shape it into small balls.
7. Dust or wrap to prevent sticking
Once cooled, dust the cough drops lightly with arrowroot powder, tapioca starch, or powdered sugar to keep them from sticking together.
Personally, I prefer to wrap each one in a small piece of parchment paper. It makes them easy to toss into my purse and bring along wherever we go, without needing to carry the whole jar. I also find this helps keep them from being exposed to humidity or moisture every time the jar is opened.
Tips for Success
Making homemade cough drops is simple, but there are a few things I’ve learned along the way:
Keep the heat moderate
Honey can burn if heated too aggressively. A steady, watchful approach works best.
Work quickly
Once the mixture is ready, it starts setting fast. Have everything prepared ahead of time.
Store them properly
Because these are made with honey, they can get sticky if left out in humid conditions. Store them in an airtight container with a little dusting powder between layers. As mentioned, a better way of storing them is wrapping each cough drop in a parchment paper to prevent the drops from sticking to each other and protect from moisture every time the jar is opened.
How to Store Homemade Cough Drops
After the cough drops have fully hardened, place them in an airtight container or glass jar. Keep them in a cool, dry place.
If your kitchen tends to be warm, you may want to store them in the refrigerator to help them stay firm. Just know they can sometimes attract moisture when taken in and out, so a dry container is important.
More Homemade Ideas
Looking for more homemade ideas? Feel free to browse around!
Final Thoughts
These homemade natural cough drops with ginger, honey, lemon, and cinnamon are one of those simple homemade remedies that feel both practical and comforting. They’re easy to make, full of familiar ingredients, and such a sweet way to care for your family during cold and flu season.
They’re also nice to tuck into a little jar for a friend, neighbor, or family member who could use some comfort.
I love knowing I can make something with my own hands that brings a little relief and comfort. That’s one of the joys of homemaking, isn’t it? Using what we have, learning old-fashioned skills, and creating a home that feels warm, prepared, and nurturing.
If you’ve been wanting to try more natural remedies at home, this is such a lovely place to start.
