In the middle of an interview, during a test, or shortly after boarding a plane, coughs always seem to strike at the worst possible times.

Fortunately, there are many options available for treating a cough. You could always try taking decongestants, cough suppressants, or even just a glass of water. But a quick and easy way to help get your cough under control—at least in the moment—is to pop a cough drop.

Here are the 11 best cough drops for everyone in your household who has a sore throat or cold.

Best Cough Drops: Our Top Picks

• 1. Best Cough Drop Overall – Luden’s Wild Cherry
• 2. Best Cough Drop with Vitamin C – Halls Defense
• 3. Best Cough Dop with Zinc – Beekeeper’s Naturals
• 4. Best Sugar-Free Cough Drop – Ricola Sugar-Free Lemon Mint
• 5. Best Extra-Strength Cough Drop – Cepacol Extra Strength
• 6. Best Cough Drop with Honey – Wedderspoon Organic Manuka Honey Soothing Drops
• 7. Best Cough Drop with Menthol – Ricola Honey-Herb
• 8. Best Cough Drop for Sore Throat – Halls Triple Soothing Action
• 9. Best All-Natural Cough Drop – Zarbee’s Naturals 96% Honey Cough Soothers
• 10. Best Cough Drop with Menthol – Cough Drops 3 Pack
• 11. Best Natural Ingredients – Honey Drops in Lemon & Honey

The Best Cough Drops In 2022

1. Best Cough Drop Overall – Luden’s Wild Cherry

Everyone in the family should enjoy the traditional choice of the Luden’s Wild Cherry cough drop. It has pectin as the active component, which means that it soothes and suppresses coughs without imparting a strong menthol flavor. In fact, if you dislike menthol, this vibrant, strong cherry flavor will be a welcome substitute. Although these cough drops do contain some artificial sweeteners, take note. But since we think Luden’s Wild Cherry Cough Drops are the best-tasting, quickest-acting, and most satisfying cough drops available right now, we’ve decided they’re the best option overall.

What We Like

• Great flavor
• Excellent option if you don’t like menthol
• Pectin ensures fast-acting results
• Great for soothing a scratchy throat
• Reasonable price point

What We Don’t Like

• No flavor variety
• Not recommended if you prefer something free of artificial sweeteners

2. Best Cough Drop With Vitamin C – Halls Defense

Everyone is aware that vitamin C is one of the essential building blocks of a strong immune system and that eating a lot of citrus is a good way to maintain healthy vitamin C levels. Halls Defense cough drops help boost your immune system into overdrive by combining a zesty citrus flavor with a high vitamin C content. We think this is yet another top-notch cough drop product to keep on hand and use as soon as you start to feel the first symptoms of a cold, in the hopes that it will stop your symptoms in their tracks.

What We Like

• Excellent option if you don’t like menthol
• No artificial sweeteners
• Ingredients naturally support immune health
• Great value
• Assorted citrus flavors

What We Don’t Like

• Not recommended if you want something medicated
• Flavor may be a too strong and tangy for some

3. Best Cough Dop With Zinc – Beekeeper’s Naturals

If you’re looking for a more all-encompassing method of cough suppression, Beekeeper’s Naturals cough drops are a great choice because they are infused with natural immune-supporting ingredients like zinc, vitamin D, and raw honey. A healthy immune system is something you’ll want as soon as you start to feel the symptoms of the flu and the common cold, and zinc is one of many vitamins and minerals that can help.

Naturally made without artificial sweeteners, these natural cough drops are also supported by third-party laboratory testing. We think these cough drops are the ones you’ll want to have on hand at the first signs of a cold, despite being one of the more expensive options on this list.

What We Like

• Excellent option if you don’t like menthol
• No artificial sweeteners
• Ingredients naturally support immune health
• Backed by third-party testing

What We Don’t Like

• No flavor variety
• Higher price point

4. Best Sugar-free Cough Drop – Ricola Sugar-free Lemon Mint

Is it possible to make cough drops without using processed sugars and still have an appealing, refreshing flavor? You bet, give the Ricola Sugar-Free Lemon Mint a try. Its energizing flavor helps to cover up the menthol’s bite, which is the cough drop’s main active ingredient. The herbal combination from Ricola helps to clear the throat and offers effective, momentary relief from coughing.

These cough drops are a fantastic option for athletes looking for a medicated option that isn’t packed with artificial flavors or colors. However, take note that they are sweetened with aspartame, an artificial sweetener.

What We Like

• Refreshing, herbal flavor
• Good option if you want something medicated

What We Don’t Like

• Not recommended if you prefer non-menthol
• May be too zesty for kids

5. Best Extra-strength Cough Drop – Cepacol Extra Strength

You may occasionally require prompt relief from scratchiness, soreness, and discomfort in your mouth and throat; in these situations, you should reach for a drop that advertises strong numbing effects to help relieve your discomfort. Because Cepacol Extra Strength cough drops are made with potent oral painkillers, they are a good choice for treating sore throats as well as canker sores and other oral injuries. Despite being slightly more expensive than some of the other options on this list, this cough drop is a useful item to have on hand in case you experience sudden, severe oral pain.

What We Like

• Powerful oral pain relief
• Good pick for relieving pain from mouth sores
• Refreshing cherry flavor

What We Don’t Like

• Higher price point
• Not for kids
• Contains artificial sweeteners

6. Best Cough Drop With Honey – Wedderspoon Organic Manuka Honey Soothing Drops

The natural cough-suppressing properties of honey have long been celebrated. Wedderspoon Organic Manuka Honey Soothing Drops are made with raw, Non-GMO Project-certified manuka honey and come in a variety of enticing flavors. Our favorite honey-based option for sore throat relief is this brand of drops, and we particularly appreciate that they contain only certified organic ingredients.

What We Like

• Organic ingredients
• Sweet, enticing flavor
• Great option if you want natural, honey-based relief
• A number of flavors to choose from

What We Don’t Like

• May be too sweet for some
• Higher price point

7. Best Cough Drop With Menthol – Ricola Honey-herb

When you have an irritating cough or sore throat, sometimes all you need is a soothing menthol blast. Here are Ricola Honey-Herb Cough Drops, our top pick for menthol-based relief. These drops combine menthol with Ricola’s tried-and-true herbal blend to quickly and effectively relieve cough and sore throats. Although these drops don’t contain aspartame or other artificial sweeteners, they are made with added sugars. Priced reasonably, Ricola Honey-Herb cough drops can be stocked up on in advance of the cold and flu season without breaking the bank.

What We Like

• Reasonable price point
• Soothing menthol relief
• Appealing flavor

What We Don’t Like

• Added sugars
• No flavor options to choose from

8. Best Cough Drop For Sore Throat – Halls Triple Soothing Action

Our top recommendation for a cough drop that effectively lessens the discomfort of a sore and inflamed throat is Halls Triple Soothing Action. These drops, which contain a substantial amount of menthol, can instantly relieve throat pain and have a cooling, refreshing mint flavor. And while these drops may be our top pick for sore throats, we should note that they’re called “triple soothing action” for a reason: In addition to reducing sore throat discomfort, they also soothe irritated nasal passages and aid in cough control.

What We Like

• Powerful oral pain relief
• Refreshing mint flavor
• Menthol provides fast-acting soothing for a sore throat

What We Don’t Like

• Artificial sweeteners used
• Not recommended if you prefer something menthol-free

9. Best All-natural Cough Drop – Zarbee’s Naturals 96% Honey Cough Soothers

Our top pick for a cough drop that makes use of the restorative, soothing properties of all-natural ingredients is Zarbee’s Naturals 96% Honey Cough Soothers. These drops help you recover from a cold or the flu by reducing symptoms of throat irritation and hoarseness while also boosting your immune system and supporting your body’s natural defenses with echinacea, zinc, and vitamin C. We also appreciate the fact that Zarbee’s Naturals 96% Honey Cough Soothers come in a variety of energizing flavor combinations that are all made without the use of processed sugar.

What We Like

• Contains no processed sugars
• Comes in various flavor options
• Vitamin C, zinc, and echinacea help boost immune function

What We Don’t Like

• Not recommended if you want something menthol-based
• Higher price point

10. Best Cough Drop With Menthol – Cough Drops 3 Pack

Halls is a reputable brand of cough medicine, and this three-pack has a bit of each to help you control yours. To relieve a sore throat and cool your nasal passages, use these menthol-containing drops. Menthol can ease chest congestion and make it easier to expel mucus if you have an upper respiratory tract infection. Alternate between cherry, honey lemon, and various citrus flavors.

What We Like

• Contains Menthol
• Multiple flavor options

What We Don’t Like

• Contains soy

11. Best Natural Ingredients – Honey Drops In Lemon & Honey

This Manuka Honey drops, another honey-themed lozenge, are specially crafted from New Zealand honey. To add to the overall citrus flavor, they also have a natural lemon flavor.

What We Like

• Honey flavor
• Low sugar

What We Don’t Like

• Some reviewers find menthol taste overwhelming

Buying Guide For The Best Cough Drops

There are many things to think about when looking for the best cough drops.

Active Ingredients

Menthol, which can be found in eucalyptus and peppermint oils and other sources, is a common active ingredient in medicated cough drops. The most effective alternative, though, is probably cough syrup made with honey for athletes who prefer more natural treatments.

Independent Testing

Look for cough drops that have undergone thorough testing by a third-party laboratory to have peace of mind that they will function as intended and won’t have any unintended side effects.

Sweeteners

Cough drops are frequently sweetened with refined sugar or artificial sweeteners to enhance their flavor. Again, athletes who favor more natural products should search for cough drops that are specifically marked as being devoid of refined sugars or artificial sweeteners.

Flavor

Since cough drops come in a variety of flavors, including berry and citrus, you should be able to find one that suits your tastes. If this is important to you, it’s important to read the packaging because flavors can be either artificially or naturally derived.

Read More: Best Mouthwash For Oral Problems

FAQs About Cough Drops