How to Create Floral Waters and Colognes

Creating your own lightly scented waters and colognes is as easy as picking your favorite flower. Scented waters are some of the oldest toiletries created to stimulate, please and entertain our sense of smell. Ancient Egyptians used scented oils to perfume their bodies and lift their spirits. In the 10th century, the practice of oil distillation was perfected and the perfume industry took shape.

Scented oils are simple to create. You can distill your scent, capturing the essential oils from fresh flower petals on your stovetop. Or you can mix your favorite essential oils with water to create a light and delicate scent. Use these scented products alone as a perfume or as an addition to your favorite bath or beauty recipe. Fresh rosewater makes a wonderful addition to a favorite cream and lavender water can be splashed all over your body after bathing to relax your spirit and refresh your body.

Always use fresh, organic blooms when making scented waters and colognes. Your flowers should be free of pesticides and chemicals. If you do not have any flowers in your garden, check with a local grower. Pick your flowers in the morning, about two to three hours after sunrise for best results. Blossoms that have been in the hot afternoon sun may not be as fragrant. Use only fresh petals and remove all leaves and stems. Wash your petals gently right before using. Here are a few simple recipes and techniques to get you started. Enjoy!

Did You Know?

The creator of the famed Eau de Cologne is a mystery. It was invented in Cologne, Germany, in 1709 by one of two Italian distillers (who may have been related): Paolo Feminis or Giovanni Maria Farina, with a recent discovery pointing to Feminis. The term is now a generic name for scented formulas that are light, and typically 2 percent essential oil.

Tip: How to Use Floral Waters

- Rosewater and lavender water are wonderful facial toners.
- Pour scented water into your bath as you fill the tub; you also can sprinkle a few fresh flower petals into your bath.
- Mix up a light cleanser for sensitive skin using 1/2 cup scented water, 1/4 cup whole milk and 2 tablespoons baking soda. Massage the cleanser into damp skin and rinse well. Store any leftover cleanser in your refrigerator.
- For a lighter summer lotion, stir a tablespoon or two of scented water into your favorite cream or lotion.
- Spray scented water or cologne onto your bed sheets for sweet dreams.
- Mist your hair with scented water before going out.

Recipes

Eau de Cologne

Makes 4 ounces

The original recipe contained citrus oils including lemon, orange, tangerine, bergamot, lime, grapefruit and neroli. It also contained lavender, rosemary, thyme and jasmine. Although today you can purchase Eau de Cologne made by the Farina family according to the original recipe, you also can make your own lightly scented cologne using any combination of your favorite essential oils.
- 1/4 cup vodka or witch hazel
- 1/4 cup water
- 2 to 3 drops favorite essential oil or a mixture of citrus, lavender, rosemary, thyme and jasmine

1. Mix all ingredients together and pour into a clean bottle.

Rosewater

Makes 8 to 16 ounces

Rosewater is a classic floral water and skin freshener. It is naturally astringent and cleansing to your skin. You can purchase rosewater at natural food and grocery stores. If you have a garden full of fragrant petals, try this at-home method for distilling your own scented water. This same procedure also works with other scented flowers and herbs, so feel free to experiment.

- 8 to 10 cups rose petals, washed
- 2 to 4 quarts water, depending on pan size
- Ice cubes

1. In center of large pan or stockpot, place 1 small glass or ceramic bowl upside-down. Place rose petals around bowl in bottom of pan.

2. Place a second small bowl on top of the inverted bowl, so that it is above the rose petals. Then fill pot (not the bowl) with water to just cover the petals.

3. Place the lid on the pot upside-down (it works best if your lid is rounded). Turn on burner and bring water to a boil.

4. Reduce heat to low and let the water and petals simmer. Fill the inverted pan lid with ice cubes. (Note: You have created a still. The steam from the boiling water hits the cold lid and condenses, then falls back into the top glass bowl.)

5. Every 10 to 15 minutes, check your bowl and the water it has collected. It should smell like roses.

6. Stop the process when you have 1 to 2 cups of rosewater. (Note: If you steam the petals too long, the fragrance of your water will be diluted. The entire process should take about 20 to 30 minutes.)

7. When cool, pour the scented water into a clean jar or bottle.

Quick and Easy Rosewater

Makes 10 ounces

If you do not have time to distill your own rosewater, you can create rosewater using a much simpler method. Your water may not be as fragrant as the distilled method but the results are very pleasant and you can use the mild rose-scented liquid as a light fragrance, after-bath splash or skin toner. It also makes a nice addition to homemade creams and lotions.

- 1 cup firmly packed rose petals, washed
- 2 cups boiling water

1. Place rose petals in a ceramic or glass bowl. Use only fresh petals (no leaves or stems). Pour boiling water over petals, and allow petals to steep until cool.

2. Strain off the petals and pour the scented liquid into a clean bottle.

Lavender Water Voile

Makes 2 ounces

The word voile is French for veil, and is used to describe something that is very light and delicate. When used to describe fragrance, a voile is gentle and soft, just a whisper of fragrance on your skin.You could also use a different favorite floral scent in this recipe, such as frangipani or jasmine.

- 1/4 cup filtered or distilled water
- 1/8 teaspoon castor oil
- 6 to 8 drops lavender essential oil

1. Mix together all ingredients and stir well. Pour into a clean container with a tight-fitting lid.

Garden Cologne

Makes 4 ounces

Feel free to experiment with your own combination of herbs and flowers. Rose and lavender flowers are easy to find blooming in the summer months. You also can try scented geraniums, sweet peas and gardenias.

- 2 tablespoons fresh rose petals
- 2 tablespoons fresh lavender flowers
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- 1 tablespoon fresh mint leaves
- 1 cup filtered or distilled water
- 1/2 cup vodka or witch hazel

1. Place flower petals, lemon zest and mint leaves in small saucepan. Pour water over ingredients and heat until just boiling.

2. Remove from heat and let sit until cool. Add vodka or witch hazel and pour into clean jar.

3. Let the mixture sit for 2 weeks. Then strain out all solids using a fine strainer or coffee filter. Pour into a clean container.

Hungary Water Cologne

Makes 4 ounces

This cologne is named after Queen Isabella of Hungary who, legend has it, used an orange-scented water to restore her youth, with much success. The king of Poland proposed marriage to her when he was 18; she was 72! There are several variations of the original recipe. They all contain bergamot, lavender and citrus essential oils, but vary in their proportions. Feel free to experiment with your own blend.

- 1/8 teaspoon orange oil
- 1/2 teaspoon bergamot oil
- 1/4 teaspoon lavender oil
- 1/2 cup vodka or witch hazel

1. Mix together all ingredients and pour into a glass container with tight-fitting lid. Let sit for 1 week.