Buzz
Rose water can be quite expensive and hard to find, but fortunately, it's surprisingly easy to make. This fragrant liquid is used to enhance the flavor of mille-feuille, sponge cakes, or even as a beauty product. You can also use rose water as a facial toner or to freshen up your bed linens. This article will guide you through four simple methods to create your own rose water at home.
Ingredients
Ingredients for making rose water using essential oils
- 12 drops of rose essential oil
- 1 cup (240 ml) of distilled water
Ingredients for making rose water from dried rose petals
A glass jar (preferably large with a wide mouth)
- 1/4 cup of dried rose petals
- 1 and 1/4 cups (300 ml) of hot distilled water
Ingredients for making rose water from fresh rose petals
- 1 cup of rose petals (approximately 2 roses)
- 2 cups (480 ml) of distilled water
- 1 teaspoon of vodka (optional)
Ingredients for making rose water from crushed rose petals
- 16-20 cups (500g) of rose petals
- Distilled water (amount varies as needed)
Steps
Making rose water with essential oils
Prepare the ingredients. In addition to rose essential oil and distilled water, you will need a glass jar. If you prefer a spray, a spray bottle is required. It’s best to choose a bottle made of glass or high-quality plastic. Avoid using metal or low-grade plastic.
Pour water into the jar. It’s best to use distilled water instead of tap water, as tap water often contains bacteria. If you can't find distilled water, you can boil some purified water and let it cool down to room temperature.
Add 12 drops of rose essential oil. You’ll need to mix the essential oil with a few teaspoons of vodka to prevent the oil from floating on top. It’s recommended to use pure essential oil rather than fragrance oils. Fragrance oils only add scent and don't offer the same benefits as rose petals and pure essential oils.
Close the jar and shake well. Shake for a short period of time to ensure the oil blends into the water.
Transfer the rose water into another container. You can leave the rose water in the jar, or use a funnel to pour it into a spray bottle and spritz it onto fabric or your face.
Making rose water with dried rose petals
Prepare the ingredients. In addition to dried rose petals and hot water, you'll also need two glass jars and a strainer.
Place the dried rose petals into one jar. If you're planning to use the water for cooking, it's best to select petals from edible rose varieties like Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, or Rosa gallica. These types of roses will create a delightful flavor.
Pour hot, but not boiling water, over the rose petals. It’s best to use distilled water that has been sterilized. If distilled water isn’t available, you can substitute with filtered water.
Seal the jar and let the water cool. This should take about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on the room temperature.
Place a strainer over an empty jar. You will pour the rose water into this jar, and the strainer will help filter out the rose petals.
Pour the rose water into the container. Carefully pour the liquid onto the strainer so that it drains into the container, keeping the petals behind on the strainer. Once all the liquid has passed through, you can discard the petals.
Seal the container and store it in the refrigerator. You should use the rose water within a week before it expires.
Making rose water with fresh petals
Pick fresh, fragrant roses and wash them thoroughly. The fresher the roses, the better the final product will be. Opt for organic roses to avoid pesticides; even though you wash them, there's no guarantee that all chemicals will be removed. Additionally, use only one type of rose as each variety has its own scent, and combining different types will not produce a consistent fragrance. Remember to wash the roses thoroughly to remove dirt, insects, and pesticides.
- If you intend to use the rose water for cooking, choose petals from edible varieties like Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia, and Rosa gallica.
Pluck the rose petals and discard the other parts. You will need about one cup of rose petals, which is roughly two flowers, depending on their size.
Add the rose petals to a pot and pour in some water. Make sure the petals are evenly spread in the water and the water level does not exceed the petals. If you use too much water, the rose water will have a weaker fragrance.
- Add a teaspoon of vodka. This won't alter the scent but will help preserve the rose water, extending its shelf life.
Cover the pot and reduce the heat to low. Avoid letting the water boil or simmer at high heat, as this can cause the color and other properties of the rose water to degrade. After about 20 minutes, you will notice the petals fading in color and the water taking on the hue of the petals.
Place a strainer over a large jar. Ensure the jar is completely clean and large enough to hold 2 cups (480ml) of liquid. You will need the strainer to filter out the petals.
Pour the rose water into the jar. Hold the pot above the jar with both hands and carefully pour the liquid. Slowly pour the water and petals through the strainer so that the liquid flows into the jar. The water will pass through the strainer, while the petals are kept behind.
- Transfer the rose water into a smaller bottle. Using a small bottle makes it easier to handle. When you run out of rose water in the smaller bottle, simply refill it from the large jar.
Store the rose water in the refrigerator. It will last for about one week in the fridge. Adding vodka will help it last longer.
Making rose water with crushed petals
Divide the rose petals into two parts. You will crush one part first, and save the other part for later use.
Crush one portion of the petals using a mortar and pestle. As you crush the petals, you will notice the liquid being released; this liquid will be used to make the rose water. Alternatively, you can rub the petals on a strainer; simply place the strainer over a jar and rub the petals against the mesh with the back of a spoon.
Place the crushed petals and their liquid into a ceramic bowl. You can also use a glass bowl or jar. Leave the rose water and petals in the bowl for a few hours to allow the liquid to deepen in color.
Add the remaining petals and let them sit for about 24 hours. Mix the fresh petals with the crushed ones. Cover the bowl and let it sit undisturbed for approximately 24 hours.
Place the rose water and petals into a ceramic or glass pot. Avoid using a metal pot as it can react with the oils.
Heat the rose water and petals on low heat to simmer. Set the pot on the stove and reduce the heat to low. Let the petals simmer gently. Once you see bubbles forming, remove the pot from the heat.
Pour the rose water into a jar through a strainer. You can also use a coffee filter or thin cloth. Strain continuously until no more petals remain in the water.
- If you'd like to use the rose water as a toner, dilute it with a little distilled water until you achieve the desired consistency.
Close the jar and let it sit in the sunlight for a few hours. The warmth from the sun will help release beneficial natural oils.
Store the rose water in the refrigerator. Use it within a week before it expires.
Tips
- The more fragrant roses you use, the more aromatic your rose water will be.
- There are many types of roses, each with its own scent. Choose only one variety to avoid mixing scents.
- Rose water makes a wonderful gift. Try creating a gift basket with homemade rose water, rose massage oil, soap, and candles.
- Use homemade rose water as a toner or fragrance. You can also spray rose water onto fabric to create a lovely scent.
- Add rose water to your homemade cosmetics.
- Enhance the flavor of sponge cakes, candies, puff pastries, and tea with rose water.
- Rose water has many beneficial properties, such as disinfecting, anti-inflammatory, and antibacterial qualities. Additionally, it can be used as a toner to balance the natural pH of the skin.
- If you use a spray bottle, choose one made from high-quality glass or plastic.
- Combining rose water with mashed strawberries can help brighten your skin.
Warnings
- Do not use tap water. Tap water often contains bacteria. Only use distilled or boiled purified water.
- Do not store rose water in metal or low-quality plastic bottles. Metal bottles can react with the natural oils in rose water, and chemicals in poor-quality plastic bottles can leach into the rose water, diminishing its quality.
What You Need
Items You Need to Make Rose Water from Essential Oils
- Glass Bottle
- Spray Bottle
Items You Need to Make Rose Water from Dried Petals
- 2 Heatproof Jars
- Strainer
Items You Need to Make Rose Water from Fresh Petals
- Strainer
- 500ml Sterilized Glass Bottle
- Small Bottle (Optional)
Items You Need to Make Rose Water from Crushed Petals
- Pestle and Mortar
- Porcelain Bowl
- Glass or Ceramic Pot
- Strainer, Cheesecloth, or Coffee Filter
- Glass Bottle
