DIY Pink Rose Water (for lazy people 😉)

reading time: 2 min




June is the month of roses 🌹 This year we actually have our own rose bush (a cultivar of shrub roses called Leonardo da Vinci), carrying a bunch of the most beautiful, full-petalled pink blossoms. Since we had so, so many roses about to wilt and fall off I decided to put them to further use and make my own – first ever – rose water!

This natural and divine smelling rose water is great as a gentle skin toner, an aromatherapy pillow or room mist, a leave-in hair conditioner, and a facial refresher aka face spray. Rose water moisturises and softens your skin, leaving it refreshed and cooled. It contains anti-aging antioxidants, helps maintain the skin's pH balance, and also controls excess oil. Plus, it's basically for free!

NOTE: Make sure the roses you select for this recipe are pesticide and chemical free. If you use roses bought in the shop, make sure they are organic as you don't want any chemicals in your rose water.
 

DIY ROSE WATER

Ingredients

2 cups fresh organic rose petals (about 4 or 5 roses)
2 cups distilled water
1/2 teaspoon vodka, as a preservative
(optional) 5-10 drops organic rose essential oil, for additional scent

also:
spray bottle(s) *
a sieve
a heat-resistant jar or pot

* I re-used several empty facial mist bottles for this


Directions

Make sure your roses are clear of any dirt or bugs (yup, that happens a lot to pesticide-free roses). 
Bring 2 cups of distilled water to a boil. 
Meanwhile, take all the rose petals off of the stem and measure out 2 cups worth of it, if you haven't already. 

Place your rose petals in a heat-resistant jar or pot. 
Once the distilled water is boiling, pour it over the roses. You will see them loosing their colour very quickly (and releasing it to the water). 
Cover the jar or pot with a clean kitchen towel or a paper towel, secured with a ribbon or rubber band, and set aside for three days to fully infuse.

After three days of steeping strain the rose petals from the water through a fine sieve. Add 1/2 tsp of vodka to extend shelf live. If your rose cultivar doesn't give off a lot of scent you can add a few drops of rose essential oil. Transfer into your spray bottle, give it a shake, and spritz away!


For the quick version:

Pour the distilled water into a pot, along with the rose petals, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer, and simmer the mixture for about 10 minutes, or until the petals have lose their pigment. Allow the mixture to cool completely, then strain through a fine sieve, and proceed as above: Add the vodka and rose EO (if using), pour into a spray bottle, shake well, and you're good to go! 

The only downside to this quick version is that I've noticed that the rose fragrance isn't quite as strong and the colour is less pink, more yellow.




Keep your rose water in the fridge or a cool, dark  place.


Maisy

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