Every now and then, the kids and I catch colds, dealing with runny noses and sore throats. We always have elderberry syrup at home, but my kids are also big fans of these cough drop lollipops. They’re basically like lollipops that help with coughs.
I don’t need to tell you why I don’t like most store-bought cough syrups and cold meds. It could be the red dye 40, the extra acetaminophen and ibuprofen, or even the artificial flavors. I’ve created a lot of natural remedies over the years, and organic throat drops are a big hit with my kids.
Years ago, I started making homemade cough drops for the children, and they loved them. These drops have a mix of herbs that are soothing for sore throats. However, cough and throat drops aren’t safe for all kids, especially young ones who might swallow them whole.
By putting these cough drops on sticks, they become a fun, safer option for little kids. But always keep an eye on them while they’re enjoying these lollipops to avoid any choking risks. Generally, these lollipops are suitable for children aged 2 and up. For younger kids, a natural children’s cough syrup is a better choice.
I’m a fan of the kid’s propolis cough syrup from Beekeeper’s Naturals! But if DIY honey lollipops aren’t your thing, there are some great store-bought options available too.
If you’re up for making your own throat-soothing lollipops, keep reading! It took some effort to perfect this recipe, with a few tricks to make it work. Honey can be a bit tricky compared to sugar when making candy. You might want to rush it by turning up the heat, but that will just lead to burnt honey—trust me, it stinks!
It took me around 40-45 minutes of tending to the honey mixture on the stove before it was firm enough to pour into molds. Use low to medium-low heat to slowly warm the honey. Mine never reached 300 degrees on a candy thermometer without burning, but 280 degrees worked just fine. These will be a bit stickier than commercial options like Halls or Ricola.
To check if the mixture is ready, you can drop a bit into ice water. If it hardens and doesn’t bend, it’s good to go. I also took the pan off the heat and gave it a stir whenever it started to foam up, about every 30-60 seconds, to prevent burning.
Honey and lemon juice by themselves are excellent for sore throats, but I also added some helpful herbs to these lollipops.
These yummy lollipops are naturally gluten-free, free from refined sugar, and a hit with the kids! Since they’re a bit sticky due to the honey, you’ll need to wrap them individually in parchment paper. My first batch all stuck together, and trying to separate them ended up breaking them. Another option is to dust the suckers with some arrowroot powder.
They should last for several weeks at room temperature; however, they never last long at my house because my kids love them! Just be sure to keep them stored in a cool, dry place.
Have you tried making your own cough drops or lollipops before? Got any tips? Feel free to share them!
