Old Fashioned Horehound Cough Drops
Soothe your throat the natural, time-honored way with these Old Fashioned Horehound Cough Drops. Crafted from dried horehound leaves—a traditional herb renowned for its medicinal properties—these homemade cough drops bring a nostalgic touch to cold-season remedies. The recipe combines the earthy, herbal flavor of horehound tea with the sweetness of granulated sugar and honey, cooked to perfection at the hard crack stage for a satisfying texture. Each batch yields up to 50 drops, perfect for keeping on hand during the cooler months. For an extra touch, you can lightly dust them with powdered sugar to prevent sticking. With minimal ingredients and no artificial additives, these DIY cough drops are a wholesome way to calm coughs and scratchy throats. Plus, they store wonderfully for up to three months, making them a reliable pantry staple!
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 cup Dried horehound leaves
- 2 cups Water
- 2 cups Granulated sugar
- 0.5 cup Honey
- 1 teaspoon Butter (optional, for greasing)
- 0.25 cup Powdered sugar (optional, for coating)
Instructions
In a medium saucepan, combine the dried horehound leaves and water.
Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer for 15-20 minutes to extract the medicinal properties of the horehound.
Strain the liquid through a fine mesh sieve or cheesecloth into a large measuring cup to remove the leaves. You should have about 1 cup of horehound tea.
Return the strained liquid to a clean saucepan and add the granulated sugar and honey.
Over medium heat, stir until the sugar dissolves completely, then stop stirring.
Attach a candy thermometer to the saucepan and let the mixture cook until it reaches 300°F (the hard crack stage). This may take 20-25 minutes. Do not stir the mixture during this time.
While the syrup is cooking, prepare a baking sheet by greasing it lightly with butter or lining it with parchment paper.
Once the syrup reaches 300°F, immediately remove it from the heat. Allow it to cool slightly for 1-2 minutes to make it easier to work with.
Using a spoon, carefully drop small dollops of the hot syrup onto the prepared baking sheet. Work quickly, as the syrup will harden as it cools.
If desired, coat the finished cough drops in powdered sugar to prevent sticking.
Allow the drops to cool completely before storing them in an airtight container. Store in a cool, dry place for up to 3 months.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
2733 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 12.1 g | 16% | |
| Saturated Fat | 4.2 g | 21% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 10 mg | 3% | |
| Sodium | 176 mg | 8% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 689.8 g | 251% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 106.0 g | 379% | |
| Total Sugars | 528.9 g | ||
| Protein | 20.9 g | 42% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.1 mcg | 0% | |
| Calcium | 4361 mg | 335% | |
| Iron | 81.3 mg | 452% | |
| Potassium | 64 mg | 1% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
