Citrus-infused Florida Water carries the energetic properties of the particular plants used—and that means there are just as many ways to make it as there are to use it. Here’s everything you need to know about Florida water—what it is, how to make it, and how to use it.
What sorts of things do you keep in your woo-woo toolkit? I have a small drawer full of crystals, essential oils, and incense. You know, things one might pull out occasionally to get rid of a bad mood, kick off a life change, or amplify an intention. Now add Florida water to the list!
Floral waters like lavender water and rose water make lovely homemade perfumes, but they have so many more uses. Just like the botanical goodness that comes with Florida water.
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What Is Florida Water?
Florida water is a plant-based cologne made by infusing flowers, herbs, and spices in alcohol. Because it carries the essence of the plants, it’s often used like holy water to cleanse spaces, purify intentions, and enhance spiritual practices.
But even if you don’t consider yourself spiritual, you can still use Florida Water as perfume, in DIY cleaning recipes, or as part of homemade beauty treatments.
What Is Florida Water Made Of?
The oldest recipes use lavender, cinnamon, bergamot, orange, clove, and balsam—all of which boast strong cleansing properties. But you don’t need to limit yourself to just those herbs and spices.
The beauty of Florida Water is that it’s customizable, so you can use the ingredients you can find and skip the ones you can’t. Just remember, the alcohol extracts both the scent and the essence of the plants, so choose plants that you enjoy and that have qualities you would like to utilize.
Here are some common Florida Water ingredients. To make your own recipe, just choose from the following categories:
Citrus
— Lemon
— Orange
— Grapefruit
— Lime
Flowers
— Rose
— Lavender
— Bergamot
— Jasmine
— Chamomile
— Ylang ylang
— Neroli
— Violet
Herbs
— Thyme
— Rosemary
— Oregano
— Sage
— Basil
— Eucalyptus
— Mint
— Lemon balm
Spices
— Cinnamon
— Clove
— Anise
— Cardamom
— Black pepper
— Vanilla
— Allspice berries, dried
See recipe card for quantities.
Florida Water Recipe
This Florida Water recipe is fast and loose, so use what you have and skip what you don't. And if you would like to get creative, that's totally allowed. Keep in mind that adding more or less of an ingredient will change the scent of the final product.
— Vodka or grain alcohol (not rubbing alcohol)
— Distilled water
— Handful of fresh herbs, like basil, thyme, or rosemary
— Handful of fresh or dried flowers
— 1 orange or lemon peel
— Optional: Spices, such as 1–2 cinnamon sticks or a small handful of cloves
— Glass mason jar
— Cheesecloth or mesh sieve
Instructions
Step 1 | Add citrus and herbs
Fill the mason jar ¾ of the way with herbs, citrus peels, flowers, and spices.
Step 2 | Add water and alcohol
Fill half of the jar with distilled water (do not use tap water) and the other half with vodka or grain alcohol.
Step 3 | Infuse for 40 days
Replace the lid and gently swirl to combine. Store in a cool, dark pantry or cupboard for 40 days, shaking once a day.
Step 4 | Strain
Strain the ingredients through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer and store your Florida Water in an airtight glass bottle.
Tip: If you're making Florida Water for spiritual or ritual purposes, consider infusing positive energy and intentions into the process. This can enhance the metaphysical properties of the water.
Substitutions
- Alcohol — If you don't have vodka or grain alcohol, you can use witch hazel. Just make sure to leave out the water so you don't run into mold issues.
- Spices — In place of the spices, you can use sea salt for its cleansing properties. Bring the distilled water to a boil in a small saucepan, add 2 tablespoons sea salt and stir until dissolved. Remove from heat and let cool before making your Florida Water.
Variations
DIY Florida Water with Essential Oils
Making Florida Water with essential oils can be a convenient alternative to using fresh or dried herbs and spices.
Feel free to scale this recipe up or down depending on the size of your bottle.
You'll need:
- 1 cup vodka or grain alcohol
- 1 cup distilled water
- 10-20 drops of each essential oil (see below for blends)
- 16-ounce glass bottle
Start by pouring the alcohol into the glass bottle. Add the essential oils and swirl until the oils have melded with the alcohol.
Add the distilled water and swirl again. The water will be cloudy, but that's normal.
Replace the cap and place in a cool, dark cabinet. Allow the mixture to mature for at least a week, though longer is better. Once it has cured completely, store your Florida Water in a cool, dark place, and shake well before using.
Blend #1
- 20 drops Orange
- 18 drops Grapefruit
- 15 drops Bergamot
- 15 drops Neroli
- 12 drops Basil
Blend #2
- 16 drops Lemon
- 10 drops Mint
- 17 drops Rosemary
- 15 drops Basil
- 15 drops Chamomile
Blend #3
- 20 drops Orange
- 15 drops Cinnamon
- 11 drops Clove
- 10 drops Cardamom
- 10 drops Black Pepper
Blend #4
- 18 drops Lavender
- 12 drops Lemon
- 10 drops Rose
- 10 drops Jasmine
- 12 drops Vanilla
Blend #5
- 20 drops Lime
- 18 drops Thyme
- 17 drops Basil
- 15 drops Mint
- 15 drops Eucalyptus
16 Ways to Use Florida Water
Florida Water isn’t just for woo-woo work. But because it has a high alcohol content, it’s best reserved for cleaning and purifying purposes. If you do decide to use it on your skin, make sure to follow up with a heavy duty moisturizer.
Florida Water can be used:
— As air freshener - Put it into a spray bottle and spritz anywhere you need a clean, fresh scent.
— To freshen laundry - Pour 1 to 2 ounces into the washing machine during the final rinse cycle.
— As a body spray - Spray your underarms, like a deodorant, or on the inside of your wrists, like perfume.
— To cleanse the energy of a space - Spray Florida Water around doorways, on windowsills, or in the corners of a room to lift the energetic frequency.
— To lift your mood - Citrus scents are known for their mood-boosting properties [source], so use it whenever you need a lift.
— In rituals - Light a candle, grab your crystals, and spray some Florida Water to set your intention during rituals, yoga, or meditation sessions.
— In cleaning recipes - Substitute Florida Water in place of white vinegar and rubbing alcohol in DIY cleaning recipes.
— To disinfect your yoga mat - Spray a little on your yoga mat to get rid of germs and freshen it after use.
— To ward off bad luck - If you’re stuck under a dark cloud, spritzing a bit of Florida Water on clothes or a lucky talisman may help to turn things around.
— To add into a bath - Pour ¼ of a cup into a running bath to soak in its cleansing properties.
— As a linen spray - Before you hop in bed, give your linens a quick spritz to help lull you to sleep after a stressful day.
— After engaging with negative people - Shake off a bad vibe and cleanse your energy following a negative interaction.
— To soothe bug bites - Alcohol acts as an astringent, which can help with pesky bug bites.
— In floor wash - Mix ½ a cup of Florida Water, 4 drops of dish soap, and 2 gallons of water together to make a natural, gentle floor wash.
— To shine windows and stainless steel - Pour some on a clean dish towel and use it to shine windows and stainless steel appliances.
— To clean sinks and countertops - Spritz directly on sinks and counters to disinfect heavily-touched surfaces.
Storage
After straining out the solid herbs, your Florida Water should last for 6 months. For long-term storage, keep it in an airtight amber bottle away from direct sunlight.
Remember to label the bottle with the ingredients used and the date of preparation for future reference.
Top tip
Start with small batches when experimenting with new blends. This allows you to refine the scent without wasting a significant amount of ingredients if you don't like the result. Remember that making Florida Water is a creative process, and there's room for creativity.
FAQ
If you can’t get your hands on the real thing, use a few drops of essential oil instead. Simply add them at the end, after you’ve strained out the solid herbs, and give the mixture a good shake.
While not actually from Florida, Florida Water was originally named in honor of the Fountain of Youth, which is thought to have been in Florida.
Yes, crystals can be used to amplify the water’s energetic properties. After making your Florida Water and straining out the herbs, place 1 to 2 water-safe crystals (amethyst, quartz, citrine, carnelian, or obsidian) in the water overnight. In the morning, remove the crystals and your energetically charged Florida Water is ready to use.
If you'd like to, sure. But make sure to dilute the Florida Water with water before applying it to your hair (a ratio of 1-2 tablespoons Florida Water to 8-ounces tap water should be adequate). This helps prevent irritation or drying of the hair and scalp.
While Florida Water is primarily known as a cologne and spiritual cleanser, some people do use it as a natural deodorant thanks to its pleasant fragrance and antibacterial properties. If you decide to try Florida Water as a deodorant, start with a small amount and monitor your skin's reaction. If you experience any irritation or discomfort, stop using it.
Related
Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:
How To Make Florida Water
Equipment
- Glass jar with lid
- Cheesecloth or mesh sieve
- Funnel optional
- 8-ounce amber bottle for long-term storage
Materials
- 3 ounces vodka or grain alcohol not rubbing alcohol
- 3 ounces distilled water
- Handful of fresh herbs like basil, thyme, or rosemary
- Handful of fresh or dried flowers
- 1 orange or lemon peel
- Spices such as 1–2 cinnamon sticks or a small handful of cloves
Instructions
- Fill the mason jar with herbs, citrus peels, flowers, and spices. Aim to fill the jar about ¾ full, creating a diverse blend of botanicals.
- Pour distilled water into the jar, filling it about halfway (it's crucial that you use distilled water to avoid impurities found in tap water.) Next, pour vodka or grain alcohol into the jar, filling the remaining half.
- Replace the lid and gently swirl to combine. Ensure that the herbs and other ingredients are evenly distributed in the liquid. Place the jar in a cool, dark pantry or cupboard for 40 days, shaking once a day.
- After the 40-day infusion period, strain the liquid through a cheesecloth or fine mesh strainer into a separate container. Store the Florida Water in an airtight amber bottle.
