- Strain through unbleached muslin cloth, then siphon through an unbleached coffee filter into a
dark glass bottle. - Dilute to the strength you want with the distilled water. You may substitute 5 drops citronella
oil for the lemon balm leaves, but the fragrance will lack the spicy green scent of dried plants.
Queen of Hungary Water
2 cups organic grain vodka or grappa (grape spirit)
(^1) / 4 cup dried rosemary
(^1) / 4 cup dried lavender flowers
Peel of one unwaxed lemon
Peel of one unwaxed orange
1 tablespoon dried peppermint
4 drops bergamot essential oil
Yield:
5 ounces
This ancient perfume can be used as a facial splash and even as a rubbing alcohol and hand
wash. The original recipe published in “Selectiora remedia multiplici usu comprobata, quae inter
secreta medica jure recenseas” (a 1656 text by John Prevot) reads: “Take of aqua vitae, four
times distilled, three parts, and of the tops and flowers of rosemary two parts; put these together
in a close[d] vessel, let them stand in a gentle heat fifty hours, and then distil them. Take one dram
of this in the morning once every week, either in your food or drink, and let your face and diseased
limb be washed with it every morning.” Here’s a slightly modernized version of this recipe, which
I find more suitable for home preparation.
- Mix the ingredients well in a glass jar (a mason jar is ideal), stir thoroughly, and allow to
blend together in a warm, dark place for up to three days. - Strain mixture through a coffee filter and store in a sealed or airtight bottle in a cool, dark
place. To use, dilute one part of the mixture with four parts distilled water.
Summer Garden Splash
4 tablespoons chopped fresh tomato leaves
2 tablespoons chopped fresh geranium leaves
1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
1 cup vodka or witch hazel