It’s sicko season, and your pantry might hold a time-honored homemade remedy that's worth a try. Fermented honey garlic combines two ingredients prized for their natural antimicrobial and antioxidant properties: garlic and honey.

Grandma swore by it, and while it’s no substitute for medical care or a proven immune booster, honey can soothe a sore throat and calm a cough, while garlic has been studied for its health-promoting and disease-preventing effects.

The best part? It takes just a few ingredients and a little patience.

To Start: A Little Honey + A Lot of Garlic

You’ll need:

• 1 jar with a lid

• Whole, peeled garlic cloves

• Local Hive Honey, enough to cover the garlic

• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar

Let the Fermentation Begin

1. Fill the jar. Add peeled garlic cloves until the jar is about ¾ full, leaving room for the honey and fermentation.

2. Add the good stuff. Pour in Local Hive Honey until the garlic is fully submerged. Stir in the apple cider vinegar, using a clean utensil.

3. Burp and flip. Close the lid loosely or use an appropriate fermentation lid. Make sure to release built-up gas daily, and gently turn the jar to coat the cloves and keep the garlic submerged.

4. Give it time. Fermentation may take several weeks, often around 3–7, depending on conditions. Bubbles and a thinner honey texture can be normal signs of activity.

Important safety note: Garlic-in-honey mixtures can pose a botulism risk if made or stored improperly. Honey’s acidity and antimicrobial properties do not guarantee safety, and vinegar alone does not make the mixture safe. Use a tested, food-safe fermentation method, follow its temperature and acidity guidance, and discard the batch if you see mold or notice anything unusual. Don’t assume it’s safe indefinitely or rely on smell alone.

Put Your Honey Garlic to Work

Once prepared safely, use a little as a glaze for roasted vegetables, whisk it into salad dressing, stir it into marinades, or spoon it over savory dishes for a sweet, garlicky kick. Many folks online claim their grandma would give them a spoonful of garlic honey any time they had a sniffle or cough. And while it may not be instant relief, it couldn't hurt — and it's delicious.