Flowers and Fragrance

Designer perfumes and colognes can be expensive. Here's a few quick and easy steps to create your own fragrances at home.

1) When choosing the flowers you would like to use for your perfume or cologne pick flowers that are just about to bloom. This allows the flower’s scent to be at it's most fragrant. Stronger smelling flowers are best to use, however using more subtle scented flowers will work just fine.

2) After the flowers have been chosen, chop about 2 cups worth of flowers and add into a large bowl. Add 4 cups of spring or distilled water and make sure all the flowers are completely submerged. Place a lid on the bowl and let it sit overnight.

3) Strain the water & the flowers through a piece of cheesecloth. This will remove all excessive plant material in the water. If you are using a subtle scented flower repeat step 2 with new flowers and the same water. Once completed place water in a pot and bring to a simmer, reduce liquid until only 2 tablespoons remain.

4) Add 5 tablespoons of vodka into a small dark colored glass container. Add the 2 tablespoons of reduced liquid to the bottle. Close the bottle and gently shake as to incorporate the vodka and the reduced flower liquid. Allow mixture to sit for 72 hours. If the scent is too strong, just add 1 tablespoon of water and allow to rest for an additional 24 hours.

REMEMBER!!!
If you are making the perfume to give as a gift, please be aware of any allergies or allergic reactions one may have. Since this is a concentrated scent of flowers it may cause a reaction!