Homemade cough drops made from a few simple pantry ingredients. This natural remedy soothes sore throats and eases congestion using honey, lemon, ginger, and cinnamon.
With a large household, colds are inevitable. We used to rely on store-bought lozenges until we researched common over-the-counter ingredients and decided to try a natural alternative. These homemade cough drops are simple to make and use familiar, beneficial ingredients.
Lemon and honey form the base: lemon helps loosen mucus and supports immunity, while honey coats and soothes an irritated throat. Ginger and cinnamon add anti-inflammatory and immune-supporting properties that have been valued in traditional remedies for centuries.
NOTE – I am not a medical professional. This is not medical advice. Consult a healthcare provider if symptoms are severe or worsen. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends not giving honey to babies under 12 months.
Why you’ll love these homemade cough drops
All natural
These cough drops are made from pantry ingredients—no artificial additives or chemical cough suppressants. They rely on honey, lemon, ginger, cinnamon, and a bit of sugar to form a hard lozenge that soothes the throat naturally.
Safe for kids (with precautions)
Because the recipe uses simple, natural ingredients, it’s generally suitable for older children. Remember: do not give honey to infants under one year of age.
Easy to make
The technique is straightforward: heat the mixture to the hard-crack stage (about 300°F) and pour into candy molds. With a candy thermometer and a few silicone molds, you’ll have lozenges ready in under an hour.
Effective and soothing
Rather than suppressing the cough reflex, these lozenges coat the throat and relieve irritation while providing the supportive benefits of honey, lemon, ginger, and cinnamon.
What you need to make homemade cough drops
Ingredients
Honey – Raw, unprocessed honey such as buckwheat or manuka is ideal for its higher antioxidant content, but any raw honey will work.
Sugar – Granulated cane sugar is necessary to create the hard lozenge texture.
Ginger – A 2-inch piece of fresh ginger, peeled and chopped, adds anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties.
Cinnamon – Organic ground cinnamon enhances flavor and contributes antioxidant benefits.
Lemon – Fresh lemon juice and optional lemon zest or a few drops of food-grade lemon essential oil help break up mucus and add vitamin C.
Tools to Use:
- Saucepan
- Candy thermometer
- Candy molds
How to make homemade cough drops
WARNING – You will work with very hot syrup. Use caution to avoid burns.
Prep – Place candy molds on a flat surface and line the work area with parchment for easy cleanup.
Heat – In a small saucepan combine the honey, sugar, lemon juice, chopped ginger, cinnamon and lemon zest if using. Heat over medium, stirring frequently. Use a candy thermometer and continue heating until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard-crack stage). Remove immediately from heat and let the bubbling subside for a minute.
Stir – If using food-grade lemon essential oil, stir it in now and mix thoroughly.
Pour – Working carefully, spoon the hot mixture into the silicone molds. Fill each cavity to the top.
Let set – Allow the lozenges to harden for 30–60 minutes. Once firm, pop them out of the molds and store as directed.
Tips for success
To use – Take one throat lozenge as needed until symptoms improve.
To store – Keep cough drops from sticking by storing them in an airtight mason jar in the refrigerator, or wrap each piece in parchment paper.
Substitutions – Use 1 teaspoon ground ginger instead of fresh if needed.
Variations – Swap lemon for orange zest or food-grade orange essential oil for a different flavor profile.
FAQ about homemade cough drops
Is cinnamon good for a cough and cold?
Cinnamon contains antioxidant compounds and has been shown to have antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory effects, which can support immune response and provide soothing benefits.
Does ginger break up mucus?
Fresh ginger offers anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties that may help reduce throat inflammation and support recovery from respiratory symptoms.
Is lemon good for a cough?
Lemon juice and zest can help loosen mucus and provide vitamin C to support immune function, while also adding a bright flavor to the lozenges.
Can honey stop coughing?
Research shows honey can soothe the throat and reduce coughing by coating irritated mucous membranes. It’s a time-tested, gentle option for cough relief in older children and adults.
How long do homemade cough drops last?
Stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator, these lozenges can keep for up to six months.
How many cough drops can you take in one day?
There’s no strict limit, but use them as needed while symptoms persist and avoid excessive consumption due to the sugar content.
Other natural remedies for a sore throat
Lozenges are one option. Other gentle measures include:
- Drinking warm liquids such as herbal teas or warm milk
- Using a cool-mist humidifier to add moisture to the air
- Taking a tablespoon of natural cough syrup formulations
- Applying a natural vapor rub to chest and back
- Sitting in a steamy bathroom for 10–15 minutes
- Drinking lemon-ginger tea to soothe the throat
More natural remedies and recipes
If you enjoyed these honey cough drops, explore other homemade remedies and healthy recipes for immune support and comfort.
- Old fashioned cough syrup recipe
- All natural DIY vapor rub
- Lemon ginger hard candy
- Apple cider vinegar gummies
If you try this recipe, please come back and share how it worked for you and leave a comment or rating.
Pin these steps to try later. Share your results on social media to show what you made!
Homemade Cough Drops
approximately 30
15 minutes
1 hour
1 hour 15 minutes
Homemade cough drops soothe sore throats and relieve congestion using honey, lemon, ginger, and cinnamon.
Ingredients
- 1 cup granulated sugar
- 1/3 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon organic ground cinnamon
- 2-inch chunk fresh ginger root, peeled and chopped
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- Zest from 1 lemon or 25 drops food-safe lemon essential oil (optional)
Instructions
- WARNING – You will be working with very hot ingredients. Be careful to avoid burns.
- Arrange candy molds and line the work area with parchment for easy cleanup.
- In a small saucepan, combine honey, sugar, lemon juice, chopped ginger, cinnamon, and lemon zest if using. Heat over medium, stirring frequently. Use a candy thermometer and cook until the mixture reaches 300°F (hard-crack stage). Remove from heat and let bubbles subside.
- If using lemon essential oil, stir it in now and mix well.
- Working quickly and carefully, spoon the hot mixture into the candy molds and fill each cavity.
- Allow the lozenges to harden for 30–60 minutes. Pop them from the molds and store in an airtight container in the fridge.
Notes
To use – Take one cough drop as needed until symptoms improve.
Store – Refrigerate in a mason jar or wrap each lozenge in parchment to prevent sticking.
Substitutions – Substitute 1 teaspoon ground ginger for fresh ginger if necessary.
Variations – Use orange zest or food-grade orange essential oil in place of lemon for a different flavor.
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 30
Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving:
Calories: 43
Total Fat: 0g
Sodium: 1mg
Carbohydrates: 10g
Sugar: 10g