From time to time, the children and I have runny noses, sore throats and other flu symptoms. Elderberry Syrup is a staple in our house, but my kids also love these cough lollipops. They look like cough drops, but in a suction cup form.
DIY throat lozenges for colds and coughs
I probably don't need to convince you why most store-bought cough syrups and cold medicines aren't on my nice list! This may include red food coloring #40, added acetaminophen and ibuprofen, or perhaps artificial flavors. I've made many natural cold and flu remedies over the years, but organic throat drops are one of my kids' favorites.
Many years ago I did homemade cough drops for the kids and they couldn't get enough. They contain a variety of herbs ideal for relieving sore throats. Throat drops and cough drops are not suitable for all children, however, especially younger ones who have not yet learned not to swallow things whole.
By putting the cough drop on a stick, it makes it a little more fun and more suitable for little children. As always, be sure to supervise little ones with their pacifiers to avoid any risk of choking. In general, cough lollipops for children are recommended from 2 years old. Younger children could use a natural children's cough syrup instead.
I really like this child propolis cough syrup from Beekeeper's Naturals!
Do you want to buy it?
If homemade honey lollipops aren't your thing, there are also some great options to purchase.
- Natural products from the beekeeper contains honey and propolis throat soothing lollipops for kids. They come in a variety pack of different flavors like strawberry, mixed berry with elderberry, and green apple.
- Lolliez is another good brand that uses organic and non-GMO ingredients, including organic elderberry and organic honey. Their lollipops contain throat-soothing pectin and come in different flavors like watermelon and orange mango. Get them here.
Honey Lemon Cough Lollipops
If you want to start making your own throat-soothing lollipops, read on!
It took me a while to get this recipe right and there are a few tips to make it work. Honey is a little trickier to work with than sugar when it comes to making candy. It can be tempting to turn up the heat to speed up the process, but this quickly results in burnt honey (which also smells terrible).
It took me about 40-45 minutes of keeping the honey mixture on the stove before it became hard enough to pour into the molds. You want to use a low to medium-low heat to slowly heat the honey. Mine never reached 300 degrees on the candy thermometer without burning, but I found that around 280 always worked. These will be a little stickier than something like Halls or Ricola brand cough drops.
An easy way to check if the mixture is the right consistency is to drop a few drops into a bowl of ice water. If it hardens and doesn't bend, then it's ready. I also took the pan off the heat and stirred it every time it started to foam (about every 30-60 seconds once it really started to cook). If you let the mixture foam over high heat, it is more likely to burn.
Throat Soothing Ingredients
Honey and lemon juice are great for sore throats, but I've also added beneficial herbs to these cough lollipops.
- Echinacea – A very popular remedy for colds and flu, echinacea is antibacterial and antiviral. It also helps soothe sore throats and coughs. This herb works best if taken at the first signs of illness.
- Mullein – Known for its respiratory support benefits, mullein acts as an expectorant, reduces inflammation and calms cough spasms. It is often recommended for dry, unproductive coughs and various respiratory problems, such as asthma and bronchitis.
- Elderberry – A flu center which gives a berry flavor to these lollipops. It also helps with coughs, congestion and overall immune support.
- Hibiscus – Hibiscus, very rich in vitamin C, gives it a fruity flavor. It is traditionally used for sore throats, colds and coughs. It also helps remove stuck mucus and strengthens the immune system. In addition, it refreshes and soothes irritated mucous membranes.
These tasty cough lollipops are naturally gluten-free, refined sugar-free and a hit with kids!
Homemade cough lollipops
These soothing sore throat lollipops are ideal for cold and flu season. They are kid-friendly and contain real honey with soothing herbs.
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Heat the water until boiling.
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Turn off the heat, add the herbs and let steep for 15 minutes with the lid on.
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Strain the herbs and reserve the herb-infused water.
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Add the herb-infused water and lemon juice to a clean saucepan and heat over medium heat until the liquid is reduced to 1/4 cup.
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Add the honey.
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Heat over low heat until it reaches 280-300°F. If you don't have a candy thermometer, this usually takes about 40 minutes and can be tested by dropping a drop of the mixture into ice water to see if it hardens immediately.
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The honey mixture will begin to foam as it cooks. When this happens, remove it from the heat and stir until the foam goes down, then return to the heat. You will probably need to do this every minute or so once the mixture begins to simmer.
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As soon as it reaches the right temperature, quickly remove it from the heat so it doesn't burn.
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Add the essential oil if you are using it.
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Immediately pour the mixture into the candy molds and let harden at room temperature for several hours.
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Coat the lollipops with arrowroot powder to prevent sticking or wrap them individually in parchment paper.
Nutritional intake
Homemade cough lollipops
Amount per serving (1 lollipop)
Calories 70
% Daily Value*
Fat 0.01g0%
Saturated fat 0.001g0%
Polyunsaturated fat 0.003g
Monounsaturated fat 0.001g
Sodium 1 mg0%
Potassium 17mg0%
Carbohydrates 19g6%
Fiber 0.1g0%
Sugar 19g21%
Protein 0.1g0%
Vitamin A 12UI0%
Vitamin C 1 mg1%
Calcium 2mg0%
Iron 0.1 mg1%
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
These cough lollipops should be closely monitored and stirred constantly during preparation. Honey can burn quickly if it overheats.
Pacifier Storage
Since they are a little stickier thanks to the honey, they need to be wrapped individually in parchment paper. My first batch got stuck in the container then broke when I tried to take them apart. Another option is to coat the sucker with arrowroot powder.
They should last at least several weeks at room temperature, but they've never gone past a week in my house because my kids eat them. Make sure to store them in a cool, dry place.
Have you ever made your own cough drops or suction cups? Advices ? Leave a comment and let us know!
