Written and medically reviewed by Veronique Claes d’Erckenteel, D.C., chiropractor since 1991 · Last reviewed: 20 October 2026
A homemade cough syrup is easy to make: most recipes combine honey with lemon, ginger, onion, garlic or herbs like thyme, sage and chamomile, simmered or stirred together and kept in a jar in the fridge. Honey-based syrups soothe a sore throat and calm the cough, and they’re suitable from 12 months. The best homemade cough syrups for children are lemon, ginger and honey, onion and honey, and elderberry syrup; the whiskey and menthol syrups are for adults only. Never give honey to babies under 12 months.
Long before cough medicine came in bottles from the pharmacy, every family had its own cough syrup recipe. Onion and honey, lemon and ginger, a grown-up version with whiskey: these recipes were passed down from grandmother to mother to child, and many of them are still the best thing you can reach for. Here are 20 of them, plus the elderberry syrup we make every autumn, with exact amounts, how much to take, how long they keep and which ones are suitable for children.
The short version
- Base of most syrups: honey, plus lemon, ginger, onion, garlic or herbs.
- Best for kids: lemon, ginger and honey (#3), onion and honey (#10), elderberry syrup.
- Adults only: the whiskey and menthol syrups (#4, 5, 7, 8, 14, 16).
- No honey under 12 months. No peppermint or menthol under 2.
- Most syrups keep 1 week to 2 months in the fridge.
- Typical dose: 1 teaspoon for children, 1 tablespoon for adults, up to 4 times a day.
A syrup isn’t enough if someone is struggling to breathe, the ribs pull in with each breath, the lips look blue or grey, or a baby drinks less than half the usual amount. Call 112 (Europe) or 911 (US). All the warning signs are in when to see a doctor for a cough.
Table of Contents
- Why Make Your Own Cough Syrup?
- How to Make Homemade Cough Syrup: The Basics
- Which Syrup for Whom?
- 20 DIY Homemade Cough Syrup Recipes
- Bonus: Elderberry Syrup
- How Long Does Homemade Cough Syrup Last?
- Safety Rules
- Frequently Asked Questions
Why Make Your Own Cough Syrup?
A cough can come from a cold or flu, but also from allergies, reflux, asthma, dry air or smoke, so look at the cause too (see how to stop coughing). For the everyday cough that comes with a cold, a homemade syrup does what you need: it soothes the throat, calms the tickle and helps loosen mucus, without additives. And it holds up well against the pharmacy shelf: a Cochrane review found no good evidence that over-the-counter cough medicines work better than placebo (Smith et al., Cochrane, 2014), while honey eased cough in children better than no treatment and as well as a common cough medicine ingredient (Oduwole et al., Cochrane). In one trial, a spoonful of buckwheat honey before bed eased children’s night cough and helped the whole family sleep better (Paul et al., 2007).
Remember that a cough has a job: it clears mucus from your airways. A good syrup soothes and supports, it doesn’t shut the cough down. More on that in natural cough suppressants.
How to Make Homemade Cough Syrup: The Basics
- Choose a base: raw honey for most recipes; brown sugar, molasses or glycerine for honey-free versions.
- Add a soother or warmer: lemon, ginger, onion, garlic, cinnamon, cayenne or herbs (chamomile, sage, marshmallow root, thyme).
- Simmer the herbs, not the honey: make a strong tea first, let it cool to lukewarm, then stir in the honey so it keeps its goodness.
- Use clean glass jars with a tight lid, and label them with the date.
- Keep it in the fridge unless the recipe says otherwise.
Which Syrup for Whom?
- Children from 1 year: #1, 2, 3, 6, 9, 10, 13, 15, 17, 18, 19 and elderberry syrup. From 2: #12. From 6: #20.
- Babies under 1: no honey. See the note under #11 and our home remedies for cough in kids.
- Adults only: #4, 5, 7, 8, 14 and 16 (alcohol or menthol).
- Dry, tickly cough: #2, 6, 15 and 18 (coating syrups).
- Wet, chesty cough: #9, 10 and 20 (pungent syrups that get mucus moving).
- Immune support: elderberry syrup and #1.
20 DIY Homemade Cough Syrup Recipes
1. Ginger, chamomile and marshmallow root syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
Our most complete herbal syrup: ginger warms, chamomile calms (Srivastava et al., 2010), and marshmallow root coats the throat (Brinckmann et al., 2003).
Ingredients:
- 1 litre (1 quart) filtered water
- ¼ cup sliced fresh ginger root
- ¼ cup dried chamomile flowers
- ¼ cup dried marshmallow root
- 1 tablespoon cinnamon (or 1 cinnamon stick)
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- 1 cup raw honey
How to make it: Simmer the water with the ginger, chamomile, marshmallow root and cinnamon until the liquid is reduced by half, about 30 to 45 minutes. Strain well. Let it cool until lukewarm, then stir in the lemon juice and honey.
How much: 1 teaspoon for children, 1 tablespoon for adults, up to 4 times a day.
Storage: In a clean, airtight glass jar in the fridge for up to 2 months.
2. Lemon, honey and coconut oil syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
A silky syrup that coats a dry, tickly throat. Coconut oil adds a soothing, gliding layer.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (or 2 to 4 drops of lemon essential oil labelled for internal use)
- ¼ cup raw honey
- 2 tablespoons virgin coconut oil
How to make it: Warm gently in a small pan just until the coconut oil melts, and stir well. Take a spoonful as it is, or stir it into hot water or tea.
How much: 1 teaspoon for children, 1 tablespoon for adults, as needed.
Storage: In the fridge for up to 1 month. The coconut oil hardens when cold, so warm the spoonful slightly before use.
3. Lemon, ginger and honey syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
The classic. Ginger and lemon zest give a strong, warming flavour, and honey soothes the cough (Oduwole et al., Cochrane).
Ingredients:
- Zest of 2 lemons (about 1½ tablespoons)
- ¼ cup sliced fresh ginger (or ½ teaspoon ground ginger)
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup honey
- ½ cup fresh lemon juice
How to make it: Boil the lemon zest and ginger in the water for 5 minutes, then strain. Warm the honey on low heat without letting it boil. Stir the strained liquid and the lemon juice into the warm honey.
How much: Ages 1 to 5: ½ to 1 teaspoon every 2 hours. Ages 5 to 12: 1 to 2 teaspoons every 2 hours. Ages 12 and up: 1 to 2 tablespoons every 4 hours.
Storage: In the fridge for up to 2 months.
4. Whiskey, peppermint and honey syrup
Adults only (contains alcohol)
An old-fashioned grown-up cough syrup for a sore throat at bedtime.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup whiskey
- ¼ cup peppermint schnapps
- 1 cup honey
- Juice of 2 lemons
How to make it: Squeeze the lemons into the honey, then add the whiskey and schnapps and stir until smooth.
How much: 1 to 2 teaspoons at bedtime, no more than 2 tablespoons a day.
Storage: In a sealed glass bottle at room temperature for several months.
5. Rock and rye vinegar syrup
Adults only (contains alcohol)
A traditional American recipe from grandmother’s kitchen.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 1 cup vinegar
- 1 cup honey
- 1 pint (about 500 ml) rock and rye whiskey
How to make it: Boil the sugar, vinegar and honey together for 25 minutes. Cool to room temperature, add the whiskey and keep in the fridge.
How much: 1 to 2 tablespoons as needed, up to 3 times a day.
Storage: In the fridge for several months.
6. Honey and butter syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
A rich, coating syrup for a dry cough, especially at night.
Ingredients:
- 3 tablespoons honey
- 3 tablespoons butter
- Juice of 1 lemon (or 2 tablespoons vinegar)
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
How to make it: Warm everything together in a small pan until the butter melts, and stir.
How much: 1 teaspoon as needed.
Storage: In the fridge for up to 2 weeks; warm slightly before use.
7. Hot honey, lemon and whiskey
Adults only (contains alcohol)
A hot toddy-style mix to sip slowly before bed.
Ingredients:
- 4 tablespoons strained honey
- 6 tablespoons hot water
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 tablespoon whiskey
How to make it: Mix everything in a mug and sip while warm.
How much: 1 mug at bedtime.
Storage: Make fresh each time.
8. Whiskey, honey and lemon concentrate
Adults only (contains alcohol)
A ready-made concentrate to stir into warm water.
Ingredients:
- ¼ cup lemon juice
- ½ cup honey
- ¼ cup whiskey (or brandy)
How to make it: Combine in a jar and shake well.
How much: 1 to 2 teaspoons stirred into a cup of lukewarm water, up to 3 times a day.
Storage: In a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 2 months.
9. Garlic and horseradish honey
Children from 1 year and adults
Pungent and powerful: horseradish gets mucus moving, and garlic is a traditional immune food (Josling, 2001).
Ingredients:
- ½ cup honey
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped garlic
- 1 teaspoon freshly grated horseradish
How to make it: Stir the garlic and horseradish into the honey. Add more honey if it’s too strong.
How much: 1 to 2 teaspoons as needed (½ teaspoon for young children).
Storage: In a jar in the fridge for up to 1 week.
10. Onion and honey syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
Our family favourite and one of the oldest cough remedies in Europe. The onion releases its juice into the honey overnight.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium onion, sliced
- ¼ cup honey (or sugar for a honey-free version)
How to make it: Layer the onion slices with the honey in a jar, cover and leave overnight or for at least 5 to 6 hours. Strain off the syrup. Quick version: sprinkle sugar on a thin onion slice, wait at least 15 minutes and sip the juice.
How much: 1 teaspoon, up to 4 to 6 times a day.
Storage: In the fridge for up to 1 week.
11. Brown sugar and lemon syrup
Children from 1 year and adults (honey-free, so also suitable under 1 year, see note)
A simple honey-free syrup when there’s no honey in the house.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup brown sugar
- Juice of 1 lemon
How to make it: Cook on low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring, until slightly thickened. Pour into a clean bottle.
How much: 1 teaspoon whenever coughing (adults and older children).
Storage: In the fridge for up to 1 month.
Note: For babies under 1, ask your pediatrician first and give only a few drops of a well diluted sugar syrup.
12. Molasses, ginger and peppermint syrup
Children from 2 years and adults
Molasses is thick, warming and full of minerals.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup molasses
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- 1 teaspoon peppermint extract (food flavouring, not essential oil)
How to make it: Stir everything together until smooth.
How much: 1 teaspoon every 4 hours.
Storage: In a jar at room temperature for up to 2 months.
Note: No peppermint under 2.
13. Honey, vinegar and butter syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
An old-fashioned syrup, warm or cold.
Ingredients:
- ½ cup honey
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1 tablespoon butter
- A pinch of black pepper
How to make it: Heat just to boiling, stirring, and pour into a jar. Take warm or cold.
How much: 1 teaspoon a day until the cough eases.
Storage: In the fridge for up to 2 weeks.
Note: The old version of this recipe included powdered alum. Alum is an aluminium salt, so we’ve left it out: the syrup works without it.
14. Peppermint candy and whiskey syrup
Adults only (contains alcohol)
A sweet, thick syrup made from peppermint candies.
Ingredients:
- 2 round peppermint candies
- 2 tablespoons honey
- 2 tablespoons water
- 2 tablespoons light corn syrup
- ¼ cup whiskey
How to make it: Melt the candies with the honey, water and corn syrup on low heat, stirring, until thick. Take off the heat and stir in the whiskey.
How much: 1 to 2 teaspoons when the cough starts, up to 3 times a day.
Storage: In a jar for up to 1 month.
Note: The old version of this recipe included a painkiller and a branded cough drop. We’ve taken them out: mixing a painkiller with alcohol can harm the liver, and medicines don’t belong in a homemade syrup.
15. Lemon, glycerine and honey syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
A smooth syrup that coats the throat. Makes about 24 doses.
Ingredients:
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon food-grade vegetable glycerine
- 5 to 6 tablespoons honey
How to make it: Stir well until completely blended.
How much: 1 teaspoon per dose, up to 4 times a day.
Storage: In a jar for up to 1 month.
16. Glycerine, menthol, honey and whiskey syrup
Adults only (contains alcohol)
A strong, cooling syrup for adults.
Ingredients:
- 4 oz (120 ml) food-grade glycerine
- A small pinch (no more than ¼ teaspoon) of menthol crystals
- 1 cup honey
- 1 cup whiskey
How to make it: Warm the glycerine and honey briefly, dissolve the menthol, then take off the heat, let cool and add the whiskey. Bottle.
How much: 1 teaspoon, up to 3 times a day.
Storage: In a sealed bottle for several months.
Note: Menthol is very strong: keep this syrup well away from children, and never use it under 2.
17. Apple cider vinegar and honey
Children from 1 year and adults
A quick, tangy mix for a tickly throat.
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon water
How to make it: Stir together.
How much: 1 teaspoon as needed. Rinse your mouth with water afterwards to protect your teeth.
Storage: Make fresh, or keep in the fridge for a few days.
18. Honey, olive oil and lemon syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
A smooth, Mediterranean syrup that coats a dry throat.
Ingredients:
- 1½ cups raw honey
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 to 5 tablespoons lemon juice, to taste
How to make it: Heat on medium for a few minutes, stirring, until combined. Cool and keep in the fridge.
How much: 1 teaspoon, warmed slightly before use, up to 4 times a day.
Storage: In the fridge for up to 1 month.
19. Sage tea syrup
Children from 1 year and adults (not in pregnancy)
Sage is the classic European throat herb: a sage spray eased acute throat inflammation in a placebo-controlled trial (Hubbert et al., 2006).
Ingredients:
- 2 tablespoons fresh sage or 1 tablespoon dried
- 1 cup boiling water
- Lemon and honey to taste
How to make it: Steep the sage in the boiling water for 5 to 10 minutes, strain, and add lemon and honey. Sip slowly, or gargle once it has cooled.
How much: 1 cup, up to 3 times a day (half a cup for children).
Storage: Make fresh each time.
20. Cayenne, ginger and vinegar syrup
Children from 6 years and adults
A fiery syrup that gets mucus moving.
Ingredients:
- ¼ teaspoon ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons water
How to make it: Whisk everything together vigorously.
How much: 1 teaspoon, 2 to 3 times a day. Shake before use.
Storage: In the fridge, and use within 2 days.
Note: Skip it with reflux or a very raw throat.
Bonus: Elderberry Syrup
Children from 1 year and adults
Elderberry is the syrup we make every autumn. It supports the immune system rather than just soothing the cough: elderberry shortened colds in a placebo-controlled trial in air travellers (Tiralongo et al., 2016).
- 85 g (about ¾ cup) dried black elderberries
- 700 ml (3 cups) water
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
- 1 cinnamon stick or 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 3 cloves (optional)
- 1 cup raw honey
How to make it: simmer the elderberries, ginger, cinnamon and cloves in the water for 45 minutes to an hour, until reduced by about half. Mash the berries, strain through a fine sieve, and let the liquid cool to lukewarm before stirring in the honey.
How much: to support immunity in autumn and winter, 1 teaspoon a day for children and 1 tablespoon for adults; when ill, the same dose up to 3 times a day.
Storage: in the fridge for up to 2 weeks, or freeze in ice cube trays.
Safety: always cook elderberries. Raw berries, leaves and stems can make you sick.
How Long Does Homemade Cough Syrup Last?
- Honey and lemon syrups: up to 1 to 2 months in the fridge.
- Syrups with fresh onion, garlic or water: about 1 week in the fridge.
- Elderberry syrup: up to 2 weeks in the fridge, or months frozen in ice cube trays.
- Whiskey syrups: several months, as alcohol preserves them.
- Throw it away if it smells sour, fizzes or grows mould.
Safety Rules
- No honey under 12 months, raw or cooked: it can carry botulism spores. Why, in honey for cough.
- No peppermint or menthol under 2.
- Alcohol syrups are for adults only, and not in pregnancy or with medicines that don’t mix with alcohol.
- Never add medicines (painkillers, cough drops) to a homemade syrup.
- Diabetes: honey and sugar raise blood sugar, so count them in.
- Brush or rinse your teeth after sweet or acidic syrups, especially at night.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best homemade cough syrup?
Lemon, ginger and honey syrup (#3) is the best all-rounder, for children from 1 year and adults. Onion and honey syrup is our family favourite for a wet cough, and elderberry syrup for immune support.
How do you make homemade cough syrup?
Simmer ginger, lemon zest or herbs in water for 5 to 45 minutes, strain, let it cool to lukewarm and stir in honey and lemon juice. Keep it in a clean glass jar in the fridge.
How long does homemade cough syrup last?
Honey and lemon syrups keep 1 to 2 months in the fridge, syrups with fresh onion or garlic about a week, elderberry syrup 2 weeks, and whiskey syrups several months.
Is homemade cough syrup safe for kids?
Honey-based syrups without alcohol or menthol are suitable from 12 months. Give ½ to 1 teaspoon for ages 1 to 5 and 1 to 2 teaspoons for ages 5 to 12. Never honey under 12 months.
Can you make cough syrup without honey?
Yes. Brown sugar and lemon syrup (#11), molasses syrup (#12) or onion with sugar instead of honey (#10) are honey-free options.
Does whiskey help a cough?
Whiskey syrups are a traditional adult remedy: the alcohol warms and helps you sleep, and the honey and lemon do the soothing. Keep them to a teaspoon or two at bedtime, and never give them to children.
Can you make cough syrup with pineapple?
Yes: blend a cup of fresh pineapple juice with the juice of a lemon, a teaspoon of grated ginger, 2 tablespoons of honey and a pinch of cayenne. Pineapple contains bromelain, traditionally used to loosen mucus. Keep it in the fridge for up to 3 days.
How often should you take homemade cough syrup?
Usually up to 4 times a day: 1 teaspoon for children and 1 tablespoon for adults, with a dose before bed for a night cough.
Recommended
- Honey for Cough
- Best Tea for Sore Throat and Cough
- Natural Expectorants
- Home Remedies for Cough in Kids
- How to Stop Coughing at Night
This article is for general information and does not replace a diagnosis from a qualified professional. Read our medical disclaimer or browse more natural remedies.
