I do love the look of winter. As I write this the snow is gracefully falling outside covering over the white blanket that already resides on the ground. The snow makes everything brighter, even on cloudy days. During the cold months of winter, I love the sun.  Just like the cold that lingers outside, it is just that time of year when runny noses, sore throats and coughing seem all too abundant as well.
When my throat has a tingle or that morning dryness seems to be hanging on, I often turn to a throat lozenge. Have you looked at the package lately of the ingredients? They are full of all kinds of things I do not like to give my kids. There are some natural options available but my kids are not big fans. The solution, make my own! Why not, they are super simple and you can customize them in so many ways.
Now let me warn you, once you make these for your kids, whether they are big or little, they may just pretend to have a throat tickle more often! (Just warning you!)
You need just a few simple ingredients for your base and then you can customize them however you would like. I am working on a recipe that uses just honey and not sugar but this is what I have been using.
Note: These should not be given to infants under the age of two, as they contain honey. I am not a physician. This is not intended as medical advice. As always, contact your physician to see what is the best treatment for your family.
Honey Lemon Sore Throat Lollipops Recipe
To make these lollipops, you need to a follow a basic formula:
1/4 cup water or herb infused water
3/4 cup of honey
1Â cup sugar
To that mixture you can add 2-3 teaspoons of lemon, orange, cinnamon or even ginger.
Instructions
Combine your sugar, water, and honey into sauce pan with a lid. Turn your burner on medium & stir the mixture until the sugar dissolves. Once the sugar has dissolved clip your candy thermometer to the side of your saucepan & turn the heat up to high. Your mixture will boil but let the mixture heat to about 300ºF (this is the hard crack stage). Try to refrain from stirring your while it cooks.
Remove from heat and add in your lemon or ginger, stirring quickly.Â
Quickly use a measuring spoon to drop your mixture onto a lined or oiled baking sheet. If you are creating just a lozenge, just let them cool.Â
If you are making lollipops for your littles, like I do, add a lollipop stick into the bottom of each lozenge.Â
Gently roll the stick so each side of the stick is coated.
Give the lozenges or lollipops at least  an hour to cool before storing in an airtight container or wrapping each lollipop. You can either place a piece of parchment paper between each layer or you can carefully coat each piece by tossing them in powdered sugar or corn starch. Keep them in a dry place as any moisture will cause them to become sticky. You can even cut the mixture in half if you want to have less on hand.Â
Side Notes:
To infuse your water with herbs, it is like brewing tea, which you can actually do! To take the easy way out, you can brew an herbal tea blend for about 15-20 minutes and use that in place of standard water or take your desired herbs and pour boiling water over them. Allow them to sit for 20 minutes or so and strain the water from the herbs.
We are in need to make these but would love to not add sugar. Do you have the recipe without the sugar.
I was wondering the same thing. Have you experimented yet with anything like Stevia or Yacon Gold Syrup? From what I’ve been able to research, these appear to be the two healthiest sugar substitutes available. I check ratings and prices and buy Organic, usually through Amazon, but not always.
Thanks!
Just discovered this recipe tonight looking for a sore throat remedy using oils for my daughter. Have just packaged up a trayful after eating a couple…. all in the name of science hey?
I didn’t have a thermometer and winged it, winged it well because they’re perfect.
I’ve added Doterra lemon & On Guard.
Thank you so much for sharing with us
Wondering if you mean actual lemon juice or essential oil or zest?
I use either lemon juice or essential oils if I don’t have lemon juice.
Hi,
I have a question about when you say add the lemon: Do you use lemon extract or lemon juice?
Thank you
I use either lemon juice or lemon essential oils.
I was thinking about making these but I was wondering if I had enough sticks, how many lollipops does this make?
It really depends on the size you make it. I usually make about 2 dozen but if you don’t have enough sticks, you can make them in drops and suck on them like a candy.
Thanks! I ended up using popsicle sticks instead of lollipop sticks.
That is an awesome way to use what you have on hand that would still work amazingly well.
Wondering how these would turn out using brown sugar, cane sugar, coconut sugar….something other than white sugar? And is it lemon or orange zest you add, or juice?
I have used sucanat and coconut sugar before without issues. And yes, lemon juice or a few drops of essential oils is what I typically use but change it up, depending on how we are feeling.
These didn’t harden for me. I checked with a thermometer and I boiled it to a little over 300. Thoughts?
What type of herbs would you infuse the water with?
Hi, please could you tell me how long these would last once stored if possible? Thanks in advance
Hilary-The longest they have ever lasted in my house was just over a week (because we go through them) in the refrigerator. They may keep much longer but that is my only experience with them.
I absolutely love this recipe. I have been sick with a scratchy throat for a few days now and this is the first thing to actually help. I didn’t have honey so I substituted it with Apple cider vinegar… Surprisingly it tasted amazing! I was actually considering just drinking the syrup. Anyway thank you so much for this recipe.
I am so happy it helped! I will have to try with apple cider vinegar next!
I wish I would have had this idea last week. My son has a yucky cough and only honey helped his poor throat.
You are so talented. I’ve love to make these for my family. It always looked so hard to do before. You totally make it look so much easier!
wow, this is a genius idea! I can’t wait to try this out.
This is positively brilliant. You’re brilliant, did you know that? I must make these!
What a great idea! I’ll have to remember this when my daughter is old enough to have a sucker.
What a great idea. We have two colds right now that could use these!
I love natural remedies like this and a lollipop is perfect for the kids.
omg this is awesome. like really awesome. I need to make some!
This is a great idea! I think I would love to have one, or few, of these when I get the cold.
Love this idea! I bet you could sell these. The kids’ throats are going to feel better in no time at all.
Now, that is cool!!! I love this idea and it’s so much easier than I would have expected!!!
OK, so as I read this I am sucking on honey cough drops, store bought and thinking, I can do this!
What a fabulous idea and perfect for the kids… how cool. Thanks so much
My dad makes his own homemade cough syrup. It tastes terrible but it works. These would be much better!
Hi Pam!
I never knew anyone who made their own cough syrup, that is awesome! What does he use? Would you be willing to share the recipe? Thanks!
WOW, this is genius. Nothing better than making your own. 🙂
I never thought of making my own thought pops but this looks easy, and I would make this.
I am loving this idea. It’s been sore throat after sore throat this winter at my house.
you are brilliant! My kids would be so much more receptive to this when they are no felling well than store bought yucky stuff!
I absolutely LOVE this! My kids have been sick with sore throats and they do NOT like the cough drops I have. This is a perfect sweet treat that can also help them feel better! I LOVE it.
This is a fantastic idea. I love making our own remedies when I can.
Gah! Where was this the last few weeks when the entire house was down for the count with strep throat! Bookmarking this for future reference!