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Miracle Slushie Sore Throat Relief is a blended ice beverage that can relieve sore throat and tonsils naturally. Ginger, honey, and lemon are blended into a slushie that's as soothing as it is delicious. Kids love the miracle slushie, even when they don't need sore throat relief.
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Trying to figure out how to get rid of a sore throat? If you're there right now, I sympathize with you. I'm too familiar with the severe sore throat, making it unbearable to swallow, chew, drink, talk, or sleep. Even the usual home remedies can make a sore throat hurt worse.
We've heard of these remedies for sore throat
- gargling warm water with a teaspoon of salt
- throat sprays that numb
- throat lozenges
- warmed honey lemon water
- licorice root tea
- warm soup
- steam shower
If you tried all of these and don't know how to soothe a sore throat, I've been there. Enter the miracle slushie, my favorite homemade relief for sore throat pain.
What's the best drink for sore throat?
I came up with this slushie several years ago to relieve a terrible sore throat I had from a cold. I tried every sore throat remedy in the book and most of them made the pain worse, especially warm beverages.
Out of complete desperation, I whipped up this icy beverage concoction. Guess what? It immediately soothed my sore throat pain, making it tolerable to swallow food and drink water. It was like a fire extinguisher on my burning throat pain. The slushie didn't completely get rid of my sore throat, but it numbed everything enough for me to do survival things like eat and drink...and stay sane.
Long story short, this is the best drink for sore throat ... pretty much ever. Kids love it too...even when they don't have a sore throat. Bonus!
Miracle slushie sore throat remedy ingredients
- honey - or preferred sweetener
- fresh lemon - bottled lemon juice isn't the same
- fresh ginger - always use fresh, not powdered or crystalized
- ice cubes
How to make a slushie home remedy for sore throat
- Boil ginger in water for a few minutes. The longer you boil, the stronger the ginger water.
- Remove from heat, stir in lemon juice and honey, then allow to cool.
- Add liquid and ice cubes to the pitcher of a high-speed blender.
- Blend into a slushie.
- Serve with a straw or spoon.
How can this slushie help a sore throat?
- Ginger, honey, and lemon are all foods that can help soothe a sore throat.
- Slushies (as opposed to warm beverages) feel like they numb and soothe sore tonsils, which can bring pain to a tolerable level.
- The slushie is a great way to drink water and stay hydrated without gulping plain water down a sore throat.
Recommended Tools
- high-speed blender (Ninja 1500 Blender with 72 oz pitcher) or Vitamix with 64 oz container)
- knife (to cut lemon and ginger)
- citrus squeezer (or your hands will work)
- smoothie straw (to slurp up the slushie)
More flu season comfort recipes
📖 Recipe
Miracle Slushie Sore Throat Relief
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Note about scaling
When scaling (2x or 3x), the light gray ingredient amount doesn’t scale. Please adjust those accordingly.
Ingredients
- 2 inch piece Fresh Ginger, sliced into thick chunks; no need to peel
- 4 cups Filtered Water
- 1 Lemon, juiced with pulp
- ¼ cup Honey
- 4 cups Ice Cubes
Instructions
- In a saucepan, combine GINGER and WATER; bring to a rolling boil for a few minutes.
- Reduce heat and simmer about 5 minutes (longer for a stronger ginger flavor).
- Remove from heat and discard GINGER.
- Stir in LEMON JUICE and HONEY.
- Cool liquid to room temperature and chill until ready to mix into slushie.
- When ready, pour liquid into the pitcher of a high-speed blender, add ICE CUBES in smaller portions; blend or pulse until it becomes a slushie consistency, adding ice cubes as needed.
- Note: The recipe you are seeing is the original "steeped ginger" version published to The Kitchen Girl site in 2015. If you have any questions, feel free to contact me via the comments below.
Nutrition
Nutrition facts are estimates and may vary based on brands, ingredients, and portions.
This blogpost recounts my personal experience of finding relief during a severely painful event. This content does not guarantee pain relief, nor is it intended to cure the causes of pain. This content is not intended as medical advice, or a substitute for medical attention. It is for information purposes only.
Emma says
Traci,
I cannot thank you enough for this. Anything warm was like pouring lava down my throat immediately after I swallowed and I was surviving on yogurts, ice cream, and cold water (which was getting increasingly awful and painful) and I had gone through a bag of lozenges in order to make it through class. I had been suffering for almost a week before I scoured the internet for something that would help. Lo and behold, the miracle slushie. I had to borrow a friends blender and being the college student I am, of course I had almost none of the ingredients, but holy smokes was it worth it. Almost immediate relief, and I practically slept through the night after a drink before bed for the first time in days. I brought it with to class and shared the recipe with my lab partners-who had all been suffering along with me-and they send their thanks as well. This is going to become a sick day staple from now on!
Stephanie Phelps says
Hi, Traci
I love this recipe! May I also have the previous version?!
Best,
Stephanie
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Stephanie, so sorry for the very delayed response. I just updated this recipe to the original one, and I will be publishing the one you said you love to another blog post soon (since they use different methods and are both well loved) 🙂 Please let me know if you have any questions.
Stephanie Phelps says
Thanks, Traci! I just wanted to clarify, will you post the original version of this recipe to a different blog?! If so, may I have your second blog info? 🙂 Thanks, again!
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Stephanie, the version you see posted is the original version. And I do not have a second blog. One is enough to handle! LOL
Stephanie Phelps says
Sorry Traci, I meant the heated version of this recipe. Might you be able to send that to me?!
Thanks!
Stephanie
Traci Antonovich says
Hiya Stephanie, the current recipe is actually the heated version 🙂
Anoushka Rodgers says
Wow thank you so much for this recipe
I have tonsillitis and nothing was helping I found this during one of my sleepless nights and it is amazing. I added turmeric too it and have just made another double batch which I've bottled ready to just add it to the blender with the ice. It tastes so good and works amazingly. I have added a couple of frozen strawberries too which will be great for my kids when they have bad throuts but for now I'm loving it and I also add a splash of vodka in it for me before bed to help me sleep.. Just amazing thank you again. Well done that girl!! Xxx
Traci Antonovich says
Wow! I love hearing that Anoushka, and thanks so much for taking the time to let me know! This was the only remedy I could find for my sore throat, so of course I had to share it here on the blog. I love the turmeric addition too! 🙂 Thanks again!
Larissa says
Just made this at home and it worked! I needed something cold because it is dead hot outside!!!!
However I didn't use ginger and instead heated up the honey for 2 mins, removed from burner and immediately added lemon juice. Then added to blender straight away.
Thanks for the recipe!
Traci Antonovich says
Yay...so happy to hear that it worked for you, Larissa! I love that you're using it as a hot weather beverage. Thanks for taking the time to comment...much appreciated! 🙂
Helen says
Sore throat for over a week now and nothing has worked. I will try this and see if it works. Thanks for the recipe.
Traci Antonovich says
Oh Helen, I do hope this worked for you. I feel your pain...a sore throat is the absolute worst! Hope you're feeling better!
Robyn says
I'm leaving this comment because I began getting a bad sore throat last night, this morning it' s SO bad that my ear also hurts, have had hot lemon/honey water already, gargled salt water, but also not getting relief and really hating that swallowing is a "thing" at this point because it feels like I'm swallowing glass. Ran to the doctor early this morning and she said it's a virus, nothing she can give me, that led me to the internet to see what I can find, AND the great news is, I have ALL of the ingredients in the house already to make this, so I'm going to as soon as I finish this comment......Thank You, Thank You!!!! I can't wait to try it.
Traci Antonovich says
Sounds almost identical to my experience...which is where this relief slushie was born. I had never heard of slushie as relief for sore throat. But all those other things were making me feel like I was eating glass (hot water, salt, etc)...exactly like you! I hope this recipe helps you find relief...I really do! xoxoxo
Cleo says
So did you get any relief? I pray you feel better soon. Take care.
Traci Antonovich says
So nice of you to, Cleo 🙂
Melyssa says
Thank you sooooo much for this! I had been dealing with a horrible sore throat for 2 days. It was Christmas eve and I was miserable! I came across this miracle slushie while searching pinterest. My throat was the, let the drool roll down my chin because just the thought of swallowing made me want to cry, kind of sore. I mixed up a karge batch of this, I filled my ninja with half of mixture added ice and hoped for relief. Withinh 15 mins of starting to drink the slushie I was feeling relief. I finished it and my throat fwlt better, not 100% but a definite improvement. The relief lasted about 4 hours! I made a second slushie closer to bedtime and was able to finally get some sleep! I did wake up in pain, the miracle had worn off. I went into the kitchen and mixed up another mixture. I added some cinnamon this time to help with the inflammation. Two slushis throughout the day made Christmas bearable. I woke up this morning feeling 80% better... Hurray for the miracle slushie!!!
Traci Antonovich says
Melyssa, I want you to know how happy it makes me that this recipe relieved your sore throat AND that you took the time to let me know. You just made my week...and it just started 🙂 Sounds like you were in as much pain as I was when I came up with the recipe. So glad you found it. Thanks again!
Amy Barseghian says
We so needed this last month! Glad I found this!
Traci Antonovich says
Amy, so glad to hear it came to your rescue! Thanks for stopping by and letting me know 🙂
Heather says
So I'm making this now, have a bit of a summer sore throat. I'm going to add a little turmeric to help with inflammation. My plan is to infuse it in with the honey before adding it to the mix. I'll let you know how it goes!
Heather says
Ok, so here's what I did; feeling it a bit of a waste to just throw out the ginger, I just blended it up in the water that I boiled it in. I also put 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric in with the honey. It gave my slushie an orange color, but other than that you don't taste it over the ginger. My sore throat isn't very bad, but I will say, that after just a sip or two, it was already feeling better!! Also, I'm hoping that this combo will help me fight off anything if I am getting sick. Thanks so much for this! I will be making this again for sure!!
The Kitchen Girl says
I so appreciate that you commented TWICE on this recipe, Heather! Way to go the distance 🙂 Btw, did you know you can store whole ginger in a Ziploc in the freezer? I do...and when I need it, I just shave some off with my microplane (fine) grater into whatever I'm making. Try it out! I always have ginger on hand now...it's awesome! Also, I'm so glad to hear your follow-up from making this recipe. I'm definitely going to try turmeric in it next time I make it. Can't wait!...except for the sore throat part LOL. Hey, feel better and come visit any time! 🙂
The Kitchen Girl says
Oh how I love the idea of adding turmeric to this recipe...a few others have told me the same thing 🙂 I also love it that you took the time to comment here on my recipe. You rock for doing that, esp given that you're sick. Thank YOU and hope you feel better soon!!!
DavetteB says
Just wanted to ask about the blender - i noticed here you used the Ninja and in the Orange slushie recipe you use the NutriBullet; how are either of them at totally liquifying fruits/veggies for juice? I'm looking for zero pulp/bits/seeds in the final product ( I have a problem with textures). Would love to not spend a fortune on a Vitamix (I do know they get the total liquid consistency I want; I tried strawberry sorbet at the in-store demo and couldn't taste any seeds). Sorry if this is long winded, but I'm trying to be clear, and you have used both other machines I am considering.
Thanks
PS - I would drink this anytime - looks refreshing.
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Davette...great question! I own both and have tested rigorously. In my experience, I find the NB Pro 900 AND the single-serve containers on the Ninja 1500 (not the 72 oz pitcher) will both adequately zero-pulp just about any fruit or veg. They really are neck-and-neck in this aspect of performance...as long as you're using higher watt motors such as these two. Sooooo, it comes down to style, design, and price for you. Hope that helps...let me know if I need to clarify further 🙂 Btw, I have a page dedicated to kitchen tools I own (and love) with affiliate purchase links to Amazon. No pressure to buy, just a great place to research.
Amy says
I'm going to try it. I think I have some ginger tea already made so I have the base. I never thought of slushie. So exicted! I ve had sick kids for weeks now. Started with sore throats and just kept morphing into other stuff. Thanks!
The Kitchen Girl says
Awesome! Sure hope you like it as much as I did! Prior to that I had never thought of a slushie either...it was just my solution out of desperation 🙂 Let me know if you have any questions! And good luck!
Holly says
Put this mixture in a Popsicle tray you could have them ready in the freezer as Popsicle's for you or kids.
The Kitchen Girl says
Holly...love it! May I add that idea to the blogpost and credit your first name (or website, if you have one). Thanks for commenting!
Aml says
Just made the liquid base! Hoping this will work as I've got an awful case of tonsillitis and even drinking water hurts!
The Kitchen Girl says
Ohhh no, so sorry to hear it! That pain is exactly what inspired this idea for me last summer. I absolutely couldn't keep it a secret and put it up on the blog. I really hope you find relief 🙂
Tonya says
Add the inside of an aloe plant to this and it also helps with heeling faster. My grandmother taught me this. I used to love it as a kid cuz it tasted better then over the counter medicine.
The Kitchen Girl says
Cool idea, Tonya 🙂 I'll have to give that a try! Thanks for stopping by and commenting.
Samantha says
I am so excited to give it a try! I woke up in the middle of the night and it hurt to swallow, now all day I have been exhausted and can barely talk at an audible level. Cooling it off now with a ziplock full of ice haha
Deb says
I bet you could freeze the ginger lemon part so you'd have some ready at the onset and use the cubes to make individual servings. Then just slightly warm your honey at the time you make it. You could also add a drop of food safe essential oil such as lemon or clove for added antibacterial and pain relief. Thanks so much for the recipe!!
The Kitchen Girl says
Deb, I love it that you thought of this and added it to the comments! I do this exact thing with my other slushie recipe "Orange Blast Hydration Slushie", but hadn't thought to do it with this one. If you don't mind, I'd like to add your comment to the body of this blogpost because it's such a valuable suggestion. If you like the idea, just leave another comment or reply to this one if it will allow you to. Cheers!
Phil says
Do you put the lemon juice in the water or the actual lemon?
The Kitchen Girl says
Hiya Phil, it's (only) the juice of the lemon. Looks like my recipe wording could be confusing...I'll edit that 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and taking the time to ask a question. Have a great day!
Mandy Moore says
Yep, fire of hades throat going on here for about two days now. I sure hope it runs its course soon. About to head to the store to get some ginger and lemon to try this. Thanks for the idea. I sure hope it works because nothing else has.
The Kitchen Girl says
Mandy, thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! Yeah, the sore throat event that inspired this recipe came with the kind of pain that worsened when I used heated liquids. That's where I came up with the slushie idea. I sure hope you're not experiencing the same kind of pain...and I hope you find some relief very soon. 🙂
Michelle Arnold says
This sounds like it would also be awesome for morning sickness. I am totally trying this!!! Sounds so good!
The Kitchen Girl says
Hiya Michelle, thanks for dropping by and commenting! Yeah, let me know how it works for you! Maybe there's yet another great function to this slushie. Hope your morning sickness isn't getting the best of you 🙂
Christy, The Simple Homemaker says
Brilliant! Thank you for sharing!
Oh, hey, did you try gargling with warm salt water? 😉 Kidding!
Great post, great blog, first time visitor from Pinterest.
The Kitchen Girl says
Haha...the pain from the salt water was the whole reason I created the slushie. Crazy, but true! Thanks so much for stopping and taking the time to comment! I need to check out your blog too 🙂 Cheers!
Janice Sweeney says
Have you written a book about all these cures? I would like to buy it.
The Kitchen Girl says
Hi Janice, thanks for asking! I wouldn't call this recipe a 'cure' but it certainly provides me relief and enjoyment. To answer your question, I have not written a book. I am working on a few more sore throat reliever recipes made with natural ingredients. You'll receive an update when this happens...soon!
Cheers to 2016...and thanks again for taking the time!
Patty says
Just a note about using raw honey, make sure what you add the raw honey to is below 140° F or it destroys the healing properties of the raw honey.
Traci Antonovich says
Hey, thanks for that info, Patty! I'll edit the recipe instructions to reflect that. Thanks again...and Happy New Year 🙂
Carly says
What a great idea! How come I've never thought of this? Thanks for sharing, I'll definitely be passing this along 🙂
Traci Antonovich says
Hiya Carly! I had never thought of it either until I desperately needed a sore throat remedy that involved ice. I have a few other remedies I'll be posting soon! Thanks for stopping by!
Rebecca says
Are you using the whole amount that you make in the slushie at one time, or a portion of it and saving the rest for later? Sorry if I missed a measurement description in the post.
Traci Antonovich says
Hi Rebecca,
Thanks for asking...great question! I use the entire 4 cups liquid to make a big batch of slushies in my Ninja large pitcher attachment. However, you could make single-serving amounts where approx 1 cup cooked/chilled liquid could go with 1 cup ice cubes in the blender. But, you can adjust flavor and consistency to your liking also. Let me know if you have further questions...and thanks again!