A “purple onion drink” (often called red onion tonic or syrup) is a traditional folk remedy primarily used to soothe coughs, colds, and sore throats. It’s not a common juice you’d drink for pleasure, but rather a medicinal preparation. Here’s what you need to know, including how to make it and its purported benefits.
What Is It?
It’s a simple syrup or infusion made by soaking thinly sliced purple (red) onions in a liquid—usually honey, sugar, or lemon water—to extract their beneficial compounds. The most popular version is onion-honey syrup.
Purported Benefits & Science
While robust clinical studies are limited, onions and honey both have properties that may help relieve cold symptoms:
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Onions: Contain quercetin (an antioxidant with anti-inflammatory and antihistamine properties), vitamin C, and sulfur compounds that may have antimicrobial effects.
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Honey: A well-studied demulcent that coats and soothes the throat and has natural antibacterial properties. The WHO even recognizes honey as a potential cough suppressant for children over 1 year old.
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Together: The syrup may help loosen mucus, suppress coughing, and soothe throat irritation.
Note: This is a supportive home remedy, not a substitute for medical treatment for serious infections.
Basic Onion-Honey Cough Syrup Recipe
Ingredients:
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1 medium purple (red) onion, thinly sliced
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Raw honey (enough to cover the onion)
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Optional additions: 1-2 cloves of garlic (sliced), a thumb of ginger (sliced), or lemon juice
Instructions:
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Place the thinly sliced onion in a clean jar.
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Pour enough raw honey over the onions to completely submerge them. Stir gently to combine.
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Seal the jar and let it sit at room temperature for 4-12 hours (or overnight). You’ll see a thin syrup form as the onions release their juice.
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Strain the syrup into a clean bottle or jar, discarding the onion solids.
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Storage: Keep refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.
Dosage (for adults): Take 1-2 teaspoons as needed for cough or sore throat. Do not give honey to children under 1 year old due to the risk of infant botulism.
Other Variations
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Onion-Lemon Tea: Simmer onion peels (the outer purple skin is high in quercetin) in water for 15 minutes, strain, and add lemon and honey to drink as a tea.
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Onion Sugar Syrup: For a vegan version, layer onions with sugar instead of honey and wait for the syrup to form.
Taste & Practicality
Be prepared: the taste is strongly savory-sweet with a potent onion aroma. It’s more medicine than beverage. If you’re looking for a purple-colored wellness drink for daily consumption, you’d be better off with delicious, antioxidant-rich options like:
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Blackberry or blueberry smoothies
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Beet, carrot, and apple juice
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Hibiscus or butterfly pea flower tea
The Bottom Line
A purple onion drink (syrup) is a time-honored home remedy for coughs and colds. While not scientifically proven to cure illness, its ingredients have soothing properties. It’s safe for most adults to try, but if symptoms persist, consult a healthcare professional. It is not a tasty everyday juice, but rather a functional tonic for when you’re feeling under the weather.