Rosewater: This post originally appeared on the bMAKER blog as How to Make Rose Water.
Estimated reading time: 6 minutes
Rosewater – You can learn how to make rose water! Beautiful, delicately floral-scented rose water for cooking, beauty products, and an infinite number of DIYs (heat and steam method).
Table of contents
How to Make Rosewater
Hi Everyone, have you ever wondered how to make rose water?
Personally, I have always loved the scent of soaps and perfumes, and it’s amazingly easy to make at home in your kitchen.
There are two ways to make rose water, the heat method (also called the simmer method) on the stovetop and the steam method (also called the distilling method) which can also be done on the stovetop.
Uses for Rose Water
There is an infinite number of uses for rose water.
You can use it in recipes wherever water is an ingredient that would instantly add a lovely, delicate rose fragrance to any recipe.
This would be perfect for drinks, cocktails, or desserts.
Rosewater is known as a mood enhancer, you can mist it on your bed linens before bed or add it to your bathwater.
The “Heat” Method is shown on the left and the “Steam” Method is shown on the right (above).
Heat Method Vs. Steam Method
The heat method makes rose water by simmering it over a heat source.
You essentially make a rosewater “tea” and strain it through a filter or cheesecloth.
The rose water comes out more colorful (as shown in the photos) and I found that you get a greater quantity faster.
I would use the rose water from this method for use in recipes.
The steam method makes rose water by distillation (making it a hydrosol).
It works also over a heat source and has a slightly more complex setup.
You boil the rose petals and water and in a bowl (raised up above the liquid) you collect the rose water from the vapor of the roses and water.
The vapor collects in the bowl when the steam hits the lid which is inverted so that the droplets form and dip down into the bowl.
It helps to put ice or ice packs on the top of the lid to get the droplets to form more effectively.
The rose water is clear or nearly clear when using this method. It takes at least 30 minutes or longer to get a usable amount.
It lasts up to 6 months when stored in a dark-colored glass container with a lid.
I would use rose water from this method for beauty products since it lasts longer.
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup edible (food grade) dried rose petals
- 1 1/2 cups distilled water
Kitchen Tools
- saucepan (with lid)
- cheesecloth to strain or a paper filter (what I use)
- funnel
- a container or wet measure to collect the rose water as it’s being filtered
- amber or cobalt blue glass spray bottles (16 ounces)
Helpful Kitchen Tools for (Steam Method)
- lidded tall pot with a curved lid (it’s great if it has a clear lid so you can see how the droplets are forming or if you need to switch out the ice)
- something to raise the bowl up from the water and rose petals, this could be a grate, a vegetable steamer (what I use with the middle unscrewed) or a small metal colander turned upside down
- a small metal bowl for collecting the rose water.
- ice
Let me know what you use rose water for in the comments below!
If you make this recipe, and like it, please give it a rating in the recipe card below and let us know in the comments at the end of the post.
Thank you for reading and following along!
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How to Make Rosewater
How to Make Rosewater – you can make this beautiful, delicately floral-scented rose water for cooking, beauty products, and an infinite number of DIYs (heat and steam method).
Ingredients
heat (simmer) method
steam (distill) method
Instructions
Heat Method
- Combine 1/4 cup dried rose petals with 1/5 cup distilled water in a small-medium saucepan.
- Bring to a boil and then reduce to a simmer, simmer for 5-10 minutes, or until the petals are nearly colorless. Remove from heat.
- Put a funnel over a jar (if storing, use a dark-colored glass jar with a lit/cap), and place cheesecloth or filter (I use a No. 4 coffee filter). Pour the rosewater over the filter to separate out the rose petals.
Steam Method
- In a tall, large pot, put dried rose petals and water in the bottom. Place a vegetable steamer with the center unscrewed (you can also use an upside-down small colander, brick, or something that's heat-safe that will make a platform for the small metal bowl.
- Place a small metal bowl on top of the platform.
- Place the lid concave so that the dome of the lid is pointing down, allowing the steam to collect and drip into the bowl. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes or longer, depending on how much rose water you want, and add water if the level gets low.
- When the desired amount is distilled, place a funnel over a heat-safe jar, and using oven mitts, add the rose water to the jar. Allow the rose water to cool completely, you can use it right away or store it in a dark-colored glass container in the refrigerator for up to 6 months.
Recommended Products
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HÖLM 3-Piece Stainless Steel Mesh Micro-Perforated Strainer Colander Set (1-Quart, 2.5-Quart and 4.5-Quart) -
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GE Profile Opal | Countertop Nugget Ice Maker
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Extra Long Professional Silicone Oven Mitt - 1 Pair - Oven Mitts with Quilted Liner - Red - Homwe
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bMAKER Dried Rose Buds& Petals Red 1 Lb Food Grade Edible | Best for Tea, Baking, Making Rose Water, Crafting | Included Sample Bottle of Rose Absolute Essential Oil
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Lodge 6 Quart Enameled Cast Iron Dutch Oven. Classic Red Enamel Dutch Oven (Island Spice Red)
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Calphalon Classic Nonstick Dutch Oven with Cover, 7 quart, Grey
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OXO Good Grips 3-Piece Secure Fit Funnel and Strainer Set
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Cuisinart 719-16 Chef's Classic Stainless Saucepan with Cover, 1 1/2 Quart
Nutrition Information:
Yield: 1 Serving Size: 1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 308Total Fat: 0gSaturated Fat: 0gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 175mgCarbohydrates: 14gFiber: 0gSugar: 14gProtein: 1g
Please note that the Calculated Nutrition is an estimate at best.
- This post was published on 7/29/2018
- Updated & republished on 12/5/2018, 2/27/2021, 7/29/2021, 1/9/2023, 6/5/2023
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How long will the heat method store for in dark colored jars in the refrigerator?
It can be stored in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months. I personally would use it up in 3 months. Thank you for your question!
This is a great way to make rosewater! I’ve never done it this way before, but it sounds like it would work well.
I appreciate the easy instructions. And am wondering if the rose water from the heat method can be safely used in the eyes.
What do you mean, “in the eyes”? As drops?
More than likely she means eye drops. Its a ayurvedic meathod. I cant remember its benefits but i have heard that. I am also curious as well.
My son had some Rose Water that he would rub on my arms which helped me…we have fur babies (dogs) that would scratch alot, we would try everything until one night I got a clean rag and the rose water and wiped them down while watching TV….they stopped scratching and dreamed about milk bones all night…. AWESOME STUFF ❤️