Home-prepared Cough Drops Infused with Honey and Lemon
Homemade Herbal Honey Cough Drops
Headed for a cozy corner with a box of cough drops? Savvy me! I'll show you how to create your own all-natural, mouth-watering cure for those persistent coughs.
This Thanksgiving surprise left us battling a pesky cold, and with trips to the store a no-go, I improvised using my trusty pantry staples! Making your own cough drops is a walk in the park, and hey, if you can handle candy-making, you can take this on! 🍬
🛤️ Equipment needed:- Heavy-bottomed pan- Candy thermometer- Candy mold or silicone baking mat/waxed paper
🔥 Let's Get Cooking!
- Embark on your herbal journey by steeping a teaspoon each of horehound, mallow, echinacea, rosemary, thyme, and elderberry in boiling water for 15 to 20 minutes. Alternatively, you could get a kick-start with a premade respiratory or throat tea blend!
- In a medium, heavy-bottomed saucepan, mix 8 ounces of that magical herbal concoction with a cup of honey and a truckload of fresh lemon juice, no more than 4 tablespoons.
- Stirring constantly, yet on a calm vibe, heat the mixture on medium-low heat until it reaches 300°F/149°C. You can expect this process to take about 30 minutes. During this time, give your saucepan a break from the flame when the mixture starts foaming like crazy.
- Once 300°F arrives, immediately remove the saucepan from heat and add a teaspoon of peppermint extract or essential oil. Let the mixture cool for just a smidge to thicken before proceeding.
- For the final touch, carefully pour the mixture into premade candy molds, or drop teaspoonfuls onto a silicone baking mat or waxed paper, and stand back to allow the drops to cool completely.
- Now that they're set, dust the drops with a mixture of cocoa powder, cinnamon, and a pinch of cayenne, or powdered sugar (like a true candy king), to minimize the risk of sticking.
- Lastly, wrap each drop individually in a piece of waxed paper and store in a cool, dry place. Just remember, no chewing—save those for gumballs, buddy.
Enjoying the sweet fusion of science, health-and-wellness, and nutrition, you can now create your own homemade herbal honey cough drops as an alternative remedy for bothersome coughs. With the right equipment, basic ingredients, and a bit of patience, you'll be able to impress your loved ones with your homemade, all-natural cough drops.
