Horehound Cough Drops

Put the horehound leaves and water in a stainless steel saucepan and bring to the boil.

Simmer for 20 minutes and then cool.

Strain and squeeze out the herbs.

Put the liquid back into the pan and add the brown sugar and the honey.

While continually stirring with a wooden spoon, bring the liquid back to simmer.

Keep stirring and when the liquid falls from the spoon in a thread, test it by dropping it into a cup of cold water.

If you have a candy thermometer, the temperature should reach at least 300 degrees F.

When the mixture hardens enough to crack with your teeth, it's ready.

If you overdo it and the mixture crystallizes, just add more water and a little more honey.

When ready, poor the mixture into a lightly buttered baking dish.

When cool enough, score the top to facilitate breaking the hardened mixture into squares or diagonals.

Once broken up, shake icing sugar over the horehound cough drops to keep them from sticking together.

Store in a moisture-proof glass jar.