How to Use Rose Water (and an Easy Way to Make It Yourself)
By Sher Warkentin in Natural Products
I love having a blooming garden, but I always get a little sad when the petals start to fall. In the summer heat, my roses don’t last long, so I’ve figured out a way to repurpose those wilting blooms by making rose water. Read on to learn about the easy way to DIY your own batch and how to use rose water when it’s ready.
How to Make Rose Water
There are two ways to make your own rose water at home. There’s distilling, which is a little more complex, but the end result tends to last longer. Then there’s simmering, which is super simple. Obviously, I prefer the easy way. To use the simmer method, you need:
- ½ cup of fresh rose petals
- 1 cup of water
- Saucepan with a lid
- Cheesecloth or thin kitchen towel
- Bottle to store it
Add the rose petals and water to the saucepan, cover, and bring to a boil. Reduce the temperature, and let it simmer until the color of the petals has faded, which should take about ten minutes. Leave the lid on, and allow the water to cool completely. Drain the petals through the cheesecloth, and then pour the rose water into a bottle. It should keep in the refrigerator for at least a month.
How To Use Rose Water In The Kitchen
Rose water is a versatile ingredient that can be used in everything from ice cream to cocktails. No matter how you use it, a little goes a long way. One of my favorite uses is adding it to baked goods, like cookies and cakes. I just swap it in for a recipe that calls for vanilla extract. A couple drops can also add a ton of flavor to a bowl of vanilla ice cream or sweeten up a refreshing glass of lemonade.
Sweet treats aren’t the only use for rose water. A splash of rose water is a great way to balance out spicy curries or infuse a fish dish, like this one from Epicurious. Play around with it in your favorite recipes until you figure out your favorite use.
Adding Rose Water To Your Beauty Routine
Roses are also a great addition to your beauty care routine. It’s a natural ingredient that has been used not only for its scent but also for its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, rose water makes a refreshing and beautifully fragrant facial toner that leaves your skin lightly scented while possibly reducing redness and inflammation. Just put a few drops on a cotton ball and dab on your skin, or add it to a spray bottle to spritz on as needed throughout the day. To treat your whole body, add some rose water to a warm bath for a relaxing, scented soak after a long day.
That spray bottle of rose water is also a great way to cool down when it’s hot out, or you can use it to deodorize and refresh furniture. Try sprinkling some rose water on your sheets before you hit the hay to let the aroma help you wind down for sleep.
With so many wonderful uses, learning how to use rose water can be as easy as a little experimentation. Make it yourself, and let us know how it turns out or share your own uses for rose water with us on Twitter.
Image source: Sher Warkentin
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Why It’s Good
Make the beauty of your blooming garden last longer by repurposing rose petals. Not only will you give your roses a second life, but you'll also create a versatile ingredient when you learn how to use rose water, both for cooking and for skin care.