The easiest and most soothing drinks for a sore throat are warm liquids like ** warm water with honey and lemon**, herbal teas (chamomile, peppermint), and clear broths, as they coat the throat and reduce inflammation, while cold options like ice pops or smoothies can numb the pain, but always stay hydrated with plenty of water and avoid dehydrating caffeine and alcohol.
Drink warm liquids that soothe the throat such as broth, tea without caffeine or warm water with honey. Cold treats such as ice pops also can soothe a sore throat. Don't give honey to children younger than age 1. Gargle with saltwater.
For a pregnancy-safe sore throat, focus on hydration, rest, and home remedies like gargling with warm salt water, sipping honey and lemon tea, and using lozenges with local anesthetics (like benzocaine) or antiseptics (like menthol). Over-the-counter pain relievers like acetaminophen (Tylenol) are generally safe, but always consult your doctor before taking any medication, avoiding NSAIDs like ibuprofen and decongestants in the first trimester.
How to treat a sore throat yourself
Key Takeaways. Drinking milk may not lead to more mucus production and might help soothe a sore throat. Some people with lactose intolerance might experience increased congestion if they drink milk. If milk worsens symptoms, try non-dairy alternatives like almond milk.
Avoid alcohol and caffeine
Alcohol and caffeinated drinks like coffee are diuretics, meaning that they can potentially dehydrate you. As a result, your throat may become irritated and eventually sore. Consider abstaining from these drinks or opting for drinks with a lower alcohol or caffeine content.
“I often tell patients to mix a quarter-cup of Gatorade, Powerade or another electrolyte-rich drink into three-quarters cup of water,” says Dr. Sampino. “That gets you some salt and sugar if you're not eating, while still hydrating you.”
Stage 1 of a sore throat, often the start of a cold or flu, involves early symptoms like a tickle, scratchiness, or mild pain in the throat, possibly with sneezing, usually appearing 1-3 days after infection, and can be managed with rest, fluids, saltwater gargles, and OTC pain relievers, but see a doctor if it's severe, lasts over a week, or comes with a high fever or trouble breathing.
Gargling with salt water: Salt water may decrease inflammation and make swallowing less painful. Mix 8 ounces (oz) of warm water with 1 teaspoon (tsp) of salt and gargle this solution several times a day. Sipping warm drinks: Warm drinks, such as herbal tea, may help decrease pain.
Here are practical strategies to manage a sore throat and mouth breathing so you can improve your sleep quality:
How do I take care of myself?
You may take: Cough drops (throat lozenges), such as Halls, Ricola or Cepacol. Guaifenesin (Mucinex, plain Robitussin) for a dry cough. Afrin nasal spray.
Do
One of the most popular and effective remedies for a sore throat is lemon tea with honey. The lemon provides vitamin C, which can boost your immune system, while honey coats and soothes your throat. Honey is also a natural antibacterial agent, which can help fight infections.
Try things that are especially soft when cooked, like mashed potatoes, sweet potatoes, and squash. Soft fruits: Examples of soft fruits that are easy to swallow include bananas, applesauce, ripe melons, and canned peaches or pears. Eggs: Scrambled and hard-boiled eggs are a perfect sore throat food.
Spicy foods These will hurt your throat, although some people claim they can “short-circuit” throat pain. Alcohol and caffeinated drinks These are dehydrating. Note that some energy drinks contain caffeine and should be avoided. Sodas The acidity and fizz of carbonated drinks may irritate the throat.
To quickly soothe a sore throat, drink warm liquids like honey lemon tea, chamomile, or broth, which coat and calm irritation, or try cold drinks/popsicles to numb the pain and reduce inflammation, with warm saltwater gargles (for adults/older kids) also offering fast relief by breaking down secretions and killing bacteria.
Swallowing often makes it feel worse. The most common cause of a sore throat, also called pharyngitis, is a viral infection, such as a cold or the flu. A sore throat from a virus goes away on its own. Strep throat, also called a streptococcal infection, is a less common type of sore throat.
A sore throat usually lasts 5 to 10 days, resolving on its own as it's often viral (colds, flu). If it's strep throat (bacterial), symptoms improve within 2-3 days of starting antibiotics, but you must finish the full course. Seek medical help if it's severe, lasts over a week, or includes difficulty breathing/swallowing, a high fever, or a rash.
June 26, 2025 – The new COVID-19 variant that now makes up about a third of U.S. COVID cases has a signature symptom: a painful sore throat that feels like "razor blades." "This 'razor blade sore throat' was reported as a common symptom in China," where the variant first emerged in May, said Matthew S.
How To Rock Your Performance With A Sore Throat
Milk is more hydrating than water
The same can be said for oral rehydration solutions that are used to treat diarrhea. Those contain small amounts of sugar, as well as sodium and potassium, which can also help promote water retention in the body.
Glucose replacement: Dehydration in children can cause hypoglycemia or low blood sugar. Sprite can replace lost glucose, which may help reduce nausea and prevent other undesirable symptoms resulting from low blood sugar.
If you have a severe infection or are at high risk of complications from a flu infection, your healthcare professional may prescribe an antiviral medicine to treat the flu. These medicines can include oseltamivir (Tamiflu), baloxavir (Xofluza) and zanamivir (Relenza). You take oseltamivir and baloxavir by mouth.