DIY: How To Make Rose Water

UPDATE: This post originally ran on January 31st 2013, but with Spring around the corner we wanted to share it again!

Valentine’s Day is just a couple of weeks away and it’s a time to show the special people in your life how much you love them…but it’s also a great time to pamper yourself! Loving and taking care of yourself is always important, and this DIY will help you do just that. Rose water was first made by chemists in the Islamic Golden Age as a perfume and beverage, and in the years since it has become quite popular for a number of uses.   Most commonly it is used as a toner or body spray for the skin – the natural fragrance and moisturizing properties make it especially refreshing. It can also be used to flavor certain dishes, or added to lemonade for a delicious summer beverage. Make a batch and keep some for yourself, and bottle the rest up as gifts for your friends and loved ones!

how to make rose water

What You Need

  • Fresh roses
  • A large pot
  • Distilled water
  • Optional: A heat-safe bowl
    • This is only necessary if you want to make pure rose water 

How to Make Homemade Rose Water

There are a couple of ways to make rose water.  There’s the old fashioned way, which I did, or there’s a slightly more complicated process.  For that process you will also need a heat-safe bowl.

how to make rose water

1. Pluck the petals from the roses – you won’t need the bulb or stems. The fresher your roses are, the better your results will be. If you can cut your own roses, that would be your best bet. If you must buy them from a store (like I did) rinse the petals in some cool water to get rid of any potential chemicals.

how to make rose water

2. Place the rose petals in a large pot and fill with just enough distilled water to cover the rose petals. Too much water will dilute the rose water.

how to make rose water

3. Cover with a lid and let simmer until the petals lose their color. For pure rose water, place the heat safe bowl on top of the petals, and cover the pot with a lid. As the petals simmer, steam will collect on the lid of the pot and drip into the bowl, which is pure rose water. The old fashioned method that I use is still effective but the rose water just might not be as pure.

how to make rose water

4. Once the petals lose their color, drain the liquid into a jar – this is your rose water!

how to make rose water

5. Store in a cool place and give your skin a spritz whenever you need a sweet and refreshing little pick me up!

+More DIY projects and beauty tips from the BLDG 25 Blog. Looking for something a little less DIY? Check out our selection of ready to use mists and toners here

 

Photos by Julia.

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Morgan
11 years ago

So is it safe to use any type of rose?? Thos is such a cool DIY project thank you so much! I absolutely love rose water!!!

11 years ago

My great grandmother used to make her own rose water, and she would add in a bit of boric acid, for preserving. I think I’m going to make some right now!

11 years ago

It is necessary to use organic or non sprayed roses. The pesticides cannon be rinsed off with cool water.
Fun project!
I would also advise storing in the fridge for freshness!

Lox
11 years ago

These are my favorite type of posts. Thanks for the inspiration, as always!

Dana
11 years ago

I just ran out of rose water toner today and thought…I bet I can make this stuff. Thanks for this! It’s also a very refreshing drink.

Kirsten Otterlei
11 years ago

Wow!! This is so awesome I have been searching for rose water to buy in stores and can’t seem to find it. I have to share the best mint tea recipe. My favorite resturant here in Portland, OR Marrakesh a Moroccan resturant gave it to me. Just a couple simple ingredients!

XPeppermint tea (loose leaf or bags)
Xfresh mint from your garden or local grocery store
Xmint extract
Xcane sugar
Xrose water (free people DIY recipe as above)

Instructions-
The amounts you use of each ingredient is up to you, experiment to your liking. In a medium pot I usually use 5-6 tea bags, about 2 teaspoons of mint extract, 1/3-1/2 cup cane sugar, a handful of fresh mint stems, and 1/4-1/3 cup rose water.

I love this tea on a typical cloudy day when’s its cold + raining. But this is great any day and any time!

Happie tea drinking!

DAWN THOMPSON
3 years ago

Check with your local liquor store. That’s where I found my last bottle.

11 years ago

Rose water smells delicious and tastes delicious. I love it!

steph
11 years ago

how important is it to use distilled water? I just got a few roses as a gift so I would love to make this now if i could! thanks for the post!

Meghan
11 years ago

This almost looks too pretty too pretty to drink. ;)

http://happinessiscreating.com/

11 years ago

I have started following you on Twitter, I love your brilliant ideas. I am a DIY person myself but not in this area…more on the technical handyman kind of thing. My wife is interested in learning to make perfume from flowers and I am sure if i continue following you will get the hints and tips. Great blog and please share more ideas on perfume making.

Celia
11 years ago

If can use organically grown roses. Less chemicals to be absorbed by your skin. Don’t forget everything you put on your shin goes to your liver.

mandesecorry
11 years ago

Wao..! it is very good and i am inspire about your work because i can see first time of practical for making of roses water.

11 years ago

I saved this to Pinterest the first time it was posted and I’ve been wanting to try it. Thanks for the reminder!

11 years ago

can’t wait to try!!!! :D

WE❤DIY:
DIYEARTE – DIY

Tatiana
10 years ago

My rose water smells like brussels sprouts. What did I do wrong?

Rachel
10 years ago

I bought some rose water from my local Heath foods store but I’m not sure if it’s the same thing, could you tell me? The ingredients are purified water and aromatic oil of rose.

maia
10 years ago

thankyou so much rose water is wonderful and I would love to make it thankyou so much for posting this

10 years ago

i’m going to try this with peony petals tomorrow :)

10 years ago

May I know how long does the boiling takes place?

catherine punjani
10 years ago

It’s so easy to make rose water…thanks for the post.

10 years ago

hi there!!!!

this is truly helpful to finish my DIY blog. i hope you don’t mind that i’ve linked your website with mine just for the readers to know the simplest way of making rose water. the blog is still in process. but if you have time, i’ll send you the direct link to it. more power to your site!

I was suggested this blog by my cousin. I’m no longer sure whether or not this put up is written through him as no one else know such specified about my difficulty. You are wonderful! Thank you!

Lina
10 years ago

When I made the rose water it was a yellow color, did I do something wrong?

10 years ago

Hi friends, pleasant paragraph and pleasant urging commented at this place, I am actually enjoying by these.

jackie
10 years ago

My rose water turned red should I dilute for toner as it is quite a strong dye