It seems like winter colds strike with a vengeance right now, at the end of the season. In my household we drink literally gallons of ginger and honey tea during the cold months. Fresh ginger tea is delicious, and it wards off colds pretty well. But when I was felled last week by a particularly nasty cough, I had to turn to something stronger.
Recipe: Bourbon Cough Syrup for Grownups
Not to get all graphic or anything, but this hacking cough just wouldn't quit; I felt like the consumptive heroine of my very own Regency adventure. The coughing kept me up at night, but I cannot stand drugstore cough syrup; it never seems to help, and the side-effects leave me woozy. So I turned instead to a more sensible solution: bourbon.
Well, it's actually the honey that does the trick, I think. But the bourbon sure doesn't hurt. Taking a full spoonful of honey has been shown to be very effective at calming nighttime coughs (that, and gargling salt water, which is another very effective natural remedy for a bad cough). Downing spoonfuls of honey is a little rich for me, so I mixed up a tiny tumbler of this hot remedy several nights in a row.
It's basically hot bourbon and lemon juice, with a heaping helping of honey. I cut it with a bit of water, too, but that's optional. It's an easy nightcap, steaming and warm, with a stiff shot of booze to put you to sleep, lemon for Vitamin C, and all that sweet honey to make it go down easy.
This also happens to be a cousin of the Irish Whiskey Skin, the hot little number that Nora shared with us last week. Try it — whether or not you have a cold, it's nice way to cap off the evening. If you want to avoid alcohol, hot lemon juice and honey (or hot milk and honey, for that matter) is a good nighttime drink too.
Bourbon Cough Syrup for Grownups
2 ounces bourbon whisky
1/2 lemon, juiced (about 2 ounces)
2-4 ounces water (optional)
1 tablespoon honey
Mix the bourbon, lemon juice, and water (if using) in a tumbler or mug and heat in the microwave for about 45 seconds. (You can also do this on the stovetop in a little saucepan.) Take out and add the honey. Whisk to combine, then microwave for another 45 seconds.
If you're sick, it's best not to drink this too hot; a good warm temperature is better. Take it to bed and nurse it slowly with a book in the other hand. Sleep well!
Related: Recipe: Flu Season Ginger Honey Lemon Tonic
(Images: Faith Durand)
Comments (14)
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My mom used to give me this when I was younger. I used to get nasty coughs nearly every year and no matter what kind of cough syrup we tried, I'd just keep coughing. Not only did it soothe my throat, but the alcohol knocked me out and let me get a good night's sleep and gave my throat a rest.
view foodefafa's profile
I like how this says for grown-ups, my parents used to give me spoon or two of something like this even when I was little. If you actually read the label most cough syrups have alcohol in them so its no worse than the chemical stuff, you just have to be careful with the dose. I read about the scientific basis for this somewhere and each ingredient has an actual purpose so its a pretty neat folk remedy.
view sally599's profile
A good old fashioned Hot Toddy by any other name. :)
view KaraSP's profile
Hot toddy is my absolute standby for the toughest coughs and this is almost the exact recipe that I have always used. It kicks Nyquil's butt every time.
view Niamh's profile
I need one of these so bad right now. I'm tempted to put my pants back on and go to the liquor store right now. Why oh why don't I keep more bourbon in the house?
view AMLitt's profile
ditto Kara. Esp if you add cloves.
AmLitt - it works with any brown liquor. I've used 18 year old scotch (We were desperate) but generally I used spiced rum, since I keep it on hand anyway.
http://embritadesign.blogspot.com
view EmmieB's profile
I am definitely a fan of the hot toddy. Lots of lemon, lots of bourbon, lots of honey = goooood.
view mstinagray's profile
I was on this last week myself, no water though. The hot vapors of the alcohol felt so soothing to breathe with my respiratory issues. Ahhh, heaven.
view kmarie's profile
YES PLEASE!
view MyLastBite's profile
If you have a hacking night time cough, try slathering Vicks Vapo Rub on your feet and sleep with socks on.
Worked like a charm with kids & hubby!
(Hot Toddy sounds great too).
view slimey's profile
My old southern friend told me about this recipe. She calls it a "Hotty Totty". lol
view QueenLeilani's profile
I had a really bad flu this past fall and swore by the Maker's Mark Hot Toddy. I also made it with tea (black during the day, chamomile at night) and a bit of cloves. Quite delicious.
view travislessness's profile
You had me at bourbon.
view Max's profile
I worked with a Columbian woman who SWORE SWORE SWORE by this: (which is kinda similar)
cut up a vidalia onion
put it in lots of lemon juice and honey.
let it sit and stew for a while so all the onion juices come out-
drink it.
i don't know- maybe this will work for anyone who can't drink alcohol and likes the natural stinky breath thing :)
she sweeeeaaarrrs by this and it's helped her children before too
:)
view vrmille's profile