5. Fisherman’s Friend Original Extra Strong
Most menthol cough drops have around 7 mg of menthol, while Fisherman’s Friend clocks in at 10, meaning you’ll feel more intense cooling and throat numbing. These are a lot less sweet than most — sugar is the second to last ingredient, not first or second as in many cough drops. Plus these are small, flat wafers rather than smooth, glossy drops, so they are all business, not even pretending to baby your mouth. “Looks nasty but they work, tastes nasty but they work,” one Amazon five-star reviewer said.
6. Manuka Doctor Middles
Ginger can be polarizing, but for those who love it, these honey-ginger drops are just the thing. There is a “very gingery” taste, according to one reviewer, which creates a warm sensation, followed by the sweetness from the honey inside. New Zealand’s Manuka honey (this drop is 9%) has antibacterial properties, and ginger does as well, along with antiviral properties, although it is not clear that there is enough of either in this drop to truly help with what ails you. Either way, users find it soothing and that it temporarily relieves their coughs.