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[Jump to Recipe ▼](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#wprm-recipe-container-20517) Prep Time 5 minutes mins Total Time 5 minutes mins Servings 6 tablespoons This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our [disclosure policy](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/disclosure-and-privacy-policy/). ***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\!* [](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/2013/01/homemade-cough-remedy.html) **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. [](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/2013/01/homemade-cough-remedy.html) *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](http://amzn.to/2g8nB1C) to store the cough remedy.* ## Homemade Cough Syrup 1. Place the vinegar, honey, water, cayenne, and ginger in a small jar and shake to combine. 2. Leave at room temperature for a few days or place in the refrigerator for longer storage. 3. 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. 4. Take as needed and have a happy and healthy new year\!   [Save](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/)[Saved](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/) [Pin](https://www.pinterest.com/pin/create/bookmarklet/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fbarefeetinthekitchen.com%2Fhomemade-cough-remedy%2F&media=https%3A%2F%2Fbarefeetinthekitchen.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2015%2F03%2Fhomemade-cough-remedy-5.jpg&description=Homemade+Cough+Remedy&is_video=false) [Print](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/wprm_print/homemade-cough-remedy) 4\.86 from 141 votes ## Homemade Cough Remedy [Mary Younkin](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/author-mary-younkin/) This remedy is a spicy honey-cider syrup potent enough to calm a cough and soothe a sore throat. Prep Time: 5 minutes mins Total Time: 5 minutes mins Servings: 6 tablespoons ### Ingredients 1x 2x 3x - ▢ 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](https://amzn.to/40V9AY4) - ▢ 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 Calories: 3 kcal \| Vitamin A: 5 IU Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.   [Did you make this? Leave a comment below\!](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#respond) *{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.*   ## You May Also Like [](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/kitchen-essentials/) ### [Kitchen Essentials](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/kitchen-essentials/) [](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/kitchen-splurges/) ### [Kitchen Splurges](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/kitchen-splurges/) [](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/kitchen-extras/) ### [Kitchen Extras](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/kitchen-extras/) [](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/kitchen-pots-and-pans/) ### [Kitchen Pots and Pans](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/kitchen-pots-and-pans/) Like this recipe? Share it with friends\! [Pin](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/&media=https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/homemade-cough-remedy-5.jpg&description=Homemade%20Cough%20Remedy "Share on Pinterest") [Facebook](https://www.facebook.com/sharer/sharer.php?u=https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/&display=popup&ref=plugin&src=share_button "Share on Facebook") [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share?url=https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/&text=Homemade%20Cough%20Remedy "Share on Twitter") [Email](mailto:?subject=Your%20friend%20has%20shared%20an%20article%20with%20you.&body=Homemade%20Cough%20Remedy%0D%0Ahttps%3A%2F%2Fbarefeetinthekitchen.com%2Fhomemade-cough-remedy%2F%0D%0A "Share via Email") ## Leave a comment [Cancel reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#respond) ## 671 Comments 1. **Eva** says: January 21, 2024 at 5:23 pm This cough remedy is fantastic. I made some today for me, took the first dose and haven’t coughed but a few times in almost 4 hours. I am going to keep this on hand. Tastes better than most cough medicine from the store. [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-150453) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: January 21, 2024 at 5:54 pm I’m thrilled it was helpful\! 2. **melanie** says: February 5, 2024 at 10:04 am i made this back in december after catching a NASTY sinus cold. between the cough, the sore throat AND being stuffy and regular meds wearing off and still having to work as we were down. dispatcher and we had no other authorized officers to over dispatch as we were short officers ( i work graveyard) i made this and took this before id go to bed and i’d be able to sleep without coughing up a lung. it took a month to fully kick and recover from that cold but this remedy is amazing\! [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-151112) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: February 6, 2024 at 6:40 am I’m so glad it was helpful, Melanie. 3. **L** says: March 13, 2024 at 8:51 am This is a staple in our home, we love it\! Whenever my husband gets sick, he always asks for this cough syrup Thank you so much!\! [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-153325) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: March 13, 2024 at 12:36 pm You’re welcome. I’m glad this remedy has helped your husband. 4. **L** says: March 19, 2024 at 1:17 pm What happens if we drink the whole thing at once because we didn’t read the instructions Will it do any harm? Thank you [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-153663) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: March 19, 2024 at 3:51 pm There’s really nothing there to harm you, but you might get some heartburn from the cayenne. 5. **Davette Monroe** says: March 19, 2024 at 7:44 pm I found this recipe online and decided to try it for my husband who recently caught a nagging cough. I noticed a change immediately. Recipe is very simple and were staples I had in my pantry. Thank you so much for sharing this recipe [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-153685) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: March 21, 2024 at 1:10 pm I’m so happy to hear that the cough remedy helped him\! 6. **Stacey** says: April 9, 2024 at 6:34 am Can you make this and let it sit a day? I have a mild cough and a little irritation in back of my throat and need it in a hurry. [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-154719) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: April 10, 2024 at 1:37 pm Sure, Stacey. When we are coughing, I typically mix up a jar and just leave it on the counter for a few days. 7. **Leah** says: May 1, 2024 at 7:32 pm How much do adults take daily thanks [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-155827) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: May 2, 2024 at 6:24 am This isn’t really something we take daily. Just a tablespoon or so when you need it. There’s nothing here that can’t be taken often. 8. **Krystal** says: July 13, 2024 at 8:33 am Wow!!! I wish I had read this sooner! My son has been sick all week and the cough came on strong last 3 days, sometimes so bad he throws up but luckily he’s been able to sleep, expect tonight. He’s been up all night coughing, I tried ALL my go tos but nothing was working. I found your recipe at 4am, and knew I was out of ACV and ginger so ran to the store which doesn’t open until 5 so had to settle for cvs which only had acv. I can only imagine how well it will work when I go to get ginger later this morning and after it’s been sitting for a bit but I gave it to him over an hour ago and have only heard him cough once. Thank you so much for sharing this, definitely going to be a staple and be passing this along to my mom friends\! [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-160869) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: July 13, 2024 at 12:06 pm I am so very happy to hear that it helped his cough, Krystal\! 9. **Karen Wolf** says: August 28, 2024 at 8:34 pm I make this for my husbandwhen he’s sick and he loves it, helps him a lot. Can this be stored in the fridge or keep on the counter due to the honey in it? If it stays on the counter. How long will it keep? [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-163188) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: August 29, 2024 at 6:38 am I keep it on the counter for as long as we need it, usually about a week 10. **Tilla** says: September 15, 2024 at 5:26 am This is a lifesaver! We always make it when we get sick and it’s the only aid i have for those very worst throat infections where pastils and store bought cough medicine is of no use. Before i had this, i would stay awake all night spitting in a bucket as swallowing was so painful. This syrup oils the throat nicely. [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-164593) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: September 17, 2024 at 10:24 am I’m so glad to hear it has helped\! 11. **Rita Humphrey** says: December 6, 2024 at 8:12 pm I can’t live without it. Easy to make but it is pretty spicy. Thank you. [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-169671) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: December 11, 2024 at 1:02 pm I’m so glad it has helped\! 12. **Rob** says: December 7, 2024 at 3:12 am My partner has been coughing like crazy the past 2 days. I remember my mom making this when I was a kid. She added lemon juice to it. I’d forgotten all about this until just now. It’s helping him. Thank u. I didn’t add lemon juice but will the next batch. [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-169682) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: December 11, 2024 at 1:02 pm I’m so very happy to hear that it helped\! 13. **May** says: January 15, 2025 at 1:39 am Amazing! It works great! Thank you for sharing! I’ve had a painful cough and sore throat all day and worried I wouldn’t be able to sleep tonight. 🙏🏼 🙏🏼 🙏🏼 [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-171537) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: January 15, 2025 at 2:11 pm Thank you so much for taking the time to rate the recipe and let me know you love it, May. I’m so glad it’s helping you\! 14. **Patti** says: January 21, 2026 at 3:27 pm that is the very best cough recipe ever….. unfortunately I have to make it again. but thank you thank you [Reply](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/#comment-191913) 1. **Mary Younkin** says: January 22, 2026 at 9:48 am I’m so to hear that you need it again, but thrilled that it is helping, Patti\! ### Comment navigation [Older Comments](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/homemade-cough-remedy/comment-page-20/#comments)  Get *The Weeknight Dinner Cookbook\!* [Order Now →](https://amzn.to/4nrKYBj) SEARCH ## Find a Recipe Searching for something specific? 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This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our [disclosure policy](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/disclosure-and-privacy-policy/). ***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\!* [](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/2013/01/homemade-cough-remedy.html) **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. [](https://barefeetinthekitchen.com/2013/01/homemade-cough-remedy.html) *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](http://amzn.to/2g8nB1C) to store the cough remedy.* ## Homemade Cough Syrup 1. Place the vinegar, honey, water, cayenne, and ginger in a small jar and shake to combine. 2. Leave at room temperature for a few days or place in the refrigerator for longer storage. 3. 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. 4. Take as needed and have a happy and healthy new year\! - ▢ 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](https://amzn.to/40V9AY4) - ▢ 1/4 teaspoon ground ginger - 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\! Calories: 3 kcal \| Vitamin A: 5 IU 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.*  You May Also Like