Use this tutorial on how to make rose water with your rose petals to create a rosewater to use in baking and in homemade personal products.
Last week I shared my fast and easy method for making rose water. The downside to the fast method is the rosewater is either a greenish or brownish color. For some recipes that is fine, but if you are adding it to a white cake or sugar cookie, it will discolor the final product. This week, I wanted to share the method I use when I want to create a clear rosewater. This method is a bit longer, and a little more involved but it produces a crystal clear, flavorful rosewater.
You should only use rose petals that have not been treated with any pesticides when making rose water. You want your petals to be fresh; I collect my rose petals in the morning and use them right away.
I have explained the set up in the directions, but this is what it looks like:
I put a pyrex bowl on top of an inverted pyrex bowl. This increases the likely hood that the bowl will catch the condensation that drips down from the inverted lid:
- 8 cups loosely packed freshly picked rose petals
- 6 - 8 cups of distilled water
- ice
- Rinse the rose petals.
- Place a heat proof bowl in the center of a large pot ( I use my enamel canning pot). If you want you can place the bowl on top of another heat proof bowl that has been inverted (this will raise the bowl closer to the top of the pot).
- Place the rose petals around the bottom of the pot, making sure not to get any in the bowl.
- Cover the rose petals with the water, making sure not to get any in the bowl.
- Place the lid on the pot upside down and fill the depression with ice. ( Be careful not to put in too much ice; you don't want it to overflow when it melts).
- Cook over a medium-high heat until the water begins to boil. Then lower the flame and simmer for up to 2 hours. Replace the melted ice with fresh ice as needed. Make sure the water doesn't boil down. If it gets too low add some more distilled water.
- The water that collects in the bowl is your rose water. Transfer it to a sterilized bottle or jar. The rose water will keep in the refrigerator for up to a month.
Related Posts:
Gluten-Free Shrewsbury Cakes ( a recipe using rose water)
How to Make Candied Flowers
How to Make Simple Syrup
Abby says
Hi I simply just picked roses from my garden, rinsed them with water and poured boiling water over them, my rose water came out greenish brown and does now smell like roses at all. Is it okay to use? And why does it have that ugly color?
Alea Milham says
As outlined in this method, https://premeditatedleftovers.com/recipes-cooking-tips/how-to-make-rose-water-the-fast-and-easy-method/, you need to use distilled water and you need to let them steep to take on the rose scent. The water will be discolored, but it is usable. If you want a clear rosewater, you need to use the above method.
Sandie says
Thanks for the great info, my rosewater turned out great! I do have a question–
Why can’t i use the remaining water with the petals in it? I know it ugly brown, but it seems like it would have a lot of the rose concentrated in it. If I din’t care that my facial astringent is brown, would it work just as well?
Alea says
You can use the water. Strain the petals and squeeze out the excess water from the petals. The leftover water is very similar to the results that are achieved using my method for making Fast and Easy Rose Water.
Vicky says
Do you use this as a toner? When I was little I used to make rose water from the roses in the garden but I used tap water! That must be why my mother always tipped it out a day later! Great post,I might try making it properly now!
Alea says
I use it in Shrewsbury cakes (gf recipe coming soon), sorbets and cakes. It adds an interesting, floral flavor.
Vicky says
Oooo! Can’t wait for the GF version!
Candace says
I have never tasted anything made with rose water. I am intrigued. You put it in cakes and cookies?
Alea says
Yes, and I also use it in sorbets. It adds an interesting flavor to otherwise bland desserts.
Jessica says
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Kitchen Belleicious says
So glad you posted this. I love the idea of rose water and with your instructions it looks quite easy (easier than I thought)!
Elsa says
Yay, I’ve been waiting for this!! Do dried rose petals work by any chance? Also, where would you recommend buying them if you don’t grow them at home?
Alea says
No, it doesn’t work with dried petals. You can sometimes find organic roses at farmer’s markets and specialty stores. You can also check with neighbors.
April @ The 21st Century Housewife says
This is wonderful! Thank you for these two great posts, Alea!