How To Make Rose Water using Fresh Flowers is much simpler than you may think! All you need are the flowers and distilled water. Add a splash of vodka to help preserve the water if you would like.
Rose Water Recipe
Isn’t this bright ruby red rose water beautiful? If I didn’t make this myself I would think that the rose water got a little brighter with food coloring.
Nope. No enhancements. The color is a natural beauty straight from the petals of the flowers!
Last week I was feeling a little creative and thought I would dive outside of my cooking comfort zone and try making a couple of recipes that are popular in the Middle East.
I had my eyes on a cake that would be lovely for Valentine’s Day, but rose water was hard to find!
The hunt was on as I went to every Latin as well as Asian and Mediterranean specialty stores without any luck. I had super high hopes that World Market would carry it, but I struck out there too.
How to make rose water
I learned from WikiHow that there are several ways to make rose water. One method requires the crushing of the petals, and another you use dried flowers. I opted for a simple 30 minute method using fresh flower petals and I’m so happy with the results!
Adding rose water to recipes only requires a teaspoon or two. Rose water acts similar to extracts. In this case the rose water adds a hint of floral flavor.
To make rose water you need just two cups of distilled water, and clean rose petals from about two roses. I added a teaspoon of vodka, which will act as a preservative.
Simmer all the ingredients until the color of the rose petals are pale, which only takes between 20-30 minutes. That’s how to make rose water! I’ll never have to hunt for it again!
I can’t wait to get in the kitchen and try some new recipes. In the meantime, add some rose water to whipped cream, yogurt, sparkling wine or fresh cut up fruit!
But don’t limit using rose water in just recipes. How about making a face toner, body lotion or check out this list of 10 rose water benefits! The fun has just begun!
Use fresh roses that are free of pesticides and fragrant for best results. Keep refrigerated and use within one week. If you are adding the vodka this will last longer , but I haven't test how much longer.How To Make Rose Water Using Fresh Flowers
Ingredients
Instructions
Notes
Jolina
February 13, 2017 at 11:19 amThis is so interesting! I’ve never thought of this as an ingredient, is it more for sweet or savoury dishes? It is perfect for Valentine though 🙂
Sandra Shaffer
February 13, 2017 at 1:57 pmYou can use it for both sweet and savory. It’s so unique and common for Indian and Middle Eastern foods.
The Food Hunter
February 13, 2017 at 1:18 pmI need to use rosewater more
Sandra Shaffer
February 16, 2017 at 9:27 pmHave you made it before? This is the first time for me.
christine
February 13, 2017 at 1:53 pmI’ve never even heard of rose water. Well, maybe I have heard of it but never really for any recipe. You are a brave one to figure it out yourself. Great job!
Sandra Shaffer
February 16, 2017 at 9:28 pmBrave or stubborn! lol When I want something. I really, really want it and must find a way 😉
Melanie
February 13, 2017 at 6:13 pmI’ve never really known what to do with rose water!
Sandra Shaffer
February 16, 2017 at 9:29 pmOh stay tuned. I share some fun ways to use it up!
Emily
February 14, 2017 at 7:41 amI am surprised by all of the ways to use rose water. I like the idea of using it for a lotion. It seems really easy to make!
Sandra Shaffer
February 16, 2017 at 9:30 pmI agree and so nice to know that you aren’t adding any chemicals to or in your body!
Lori Vachon
February 14, 2017 at 8:54 amI’ve always wanted to make some homemade personal care items. Rose water seems to be a great starting point!
Sandra Shaffer
February 16, 2017 at 9:31 pmI just mixed some with some lavender oil for a room spray. It smells wonderful!
ManilaSpoon
February 14, 2017 at 9:06 amI have seen many recipes which call for rosewater and avoid them as I can’t be bothered to make or buy it so thank you for your lovely recipe!!!
Sandra Shaffer
February 16, 2017 at 9:31 pmNow that you know how simple it is to make, go ahead and dig into those recipes!
Erica Schwarz
February 14, 2017 at 11:25 amI’ve never heard of rose water either, but I totally get when you go to make a recipe and are missing something, and going to WkikiHow for ideas on how to do it yourself! I have done that countless times too lol. LOVE the color of your rose water. I bet the smell is amazing.
Sandra Shaffer
February 16, 2017 at 9:32 pmIt really is lovely smelling. Light and fresh. The internet is an amazing tool 🙂
Jennifer
February 17, 2017 at 10:45 amHow long of a shelf life do you estimate this has?
Sandra Shaffer
February 18, 2017 at 8:34 amHi Jennifer! Freshly made this should be stored in the refrigerator and used within a week. If you add the vodka it will last longer, but I’m not sure how much longer. Still in testing 😉
Jennifer Corter
February 17, 2017 at 2:33 pmThis is so cool! I am going to have to try this!
Sandra Shaffer
February 18, 2017 at 8:35 amRosewater is fun to make! Give this a try.
Kim
February 18, 2017 at 7:30 amSo cool! I’ve never thought about doing this!
Janet Rue
May 1, 2019 at 8:59 amCan I use tap water instead of distilled?
AmandaKl
May 1, 2019 at 9:05 amTap water often has bacteria in it. If you can’t find distilled water, you can boil filtered water and let it cool back down to room temperature.
kirsty
February 19, 2017 at 4:35 amI found this just in time to use up my rose from valentines! Thank you! 🙂
Sandra Shaffer
February 19, 2017 at 12:45 pmFabulous! Love when that happens 🙂
Erin
February 27, 2017 at 8:46 pmDo you have to use pink/red flowers? Hubby just bought me some yellow roses!
Sandra Shaffer
February 27, 2017 at 8:48 pmTry it! Any color of roses will work 🙂
Barbara Emma
March 3, 2017 at 6:12 pmif I made this and put it in a spray bottle wouldn’t help with my psoriasis?
Barbara Emma
March 3, 2017 at 6:12 pmI met would it help with psoriasis
Sandra Shaffer
March 19, 2017 at 9:03 pmHi Barbara. I know rose water is good for maintaining the ph level of skin, but I’m not sure how helpful it will be for you. I think it would be worth a try!
Rocio
March 4, 2017 at 7:19 pmI do something wrong! the liquid turn into something like blue 😮
Do you have any idea what could i miss?
Sandra Shaffer
March 6, 2017 at 11:07 pmHmmm, what color were your rose petals to begin with? The color comes directly from the petals, so the only thing I can think of is maybe the roses were spayed with something.
Kim
March 18, 2017 at 12:22 amOh THANK YOU for this recipe. I have many recipes n things that call for rose water, which I have had a hard time finding. Now I can make my own!!
Byanka
June 10, 2017 at 10:20 pmSo when I made rose water I always did it with regular drinking water and seems to help but does the type of water make a difference with it the outcome. Also I never rinsed my rose pedals before putting them in water to boil because I thought the heat of the water will kill anything thing bad . Am I wrong for that?
Sandra Shaffer
June 11, 2017 at 6:48 amHello Byanka! You will get the same results with drinking water (out of the facet). Distilled is preferred because there may be bacteria in tap water that isn’t good for florals. You could boil the tap water before using it. I rise the flower petals like I do my vegetables. The water will rinse off any pollen or light residue. You need to boil the water to kill bacteria. Hope this helps.
Diana
March 18, 2018 at 4:04 amOnly use the petals from edible roses! Other rose petals can be toxic!
Asia
April 23, 2018 at 4:33 amThank you for the recipe. Every year a festival comes & it’s the first stop to get rosewater. So delicious like roses in your mouth. Found at health food store but without the color was a disappointment. Will try your recipe.
Sandra Shaffer
April 23, 2018 at 8:31 pmOh, I would be disappointed too if I bought rose water and there wasn’t a pretty hue to it. You’ll love making this on your own!