Local Flower Water

Flower water is used in many cocktails and syrups, like orgeat, but it also has many health benefits. It’s great for the skin, for nerves, stomach issues, and pet wounds. This recipe will give you the ability to walk into an orange grove and come out with some cool new bar ingredients!

Ingredients

  • Orange flower petals from Seville orange trees

  • Distilled water

  • Large bowl

  • Large strainer or superbag

  • Stone mortar and pestle

  • Large glass jar with lid

flowerwater.jpg

Recipe

Orange blossom water is very simple to make if you have patience. The preparation process takes about an hour, but it it followed by several weeks of steeping time.

  • Gather 2 cups of orange blossoms. Make sure you pick them early in the morning before the sun gets too hot, about 2 to 3 hours after sunrise to make sure the flavor is the best.

  • Wash the blossoms and petals in cool, soft water and rinse thoroughly to remove insects and dirt.

  • Macerate petals using a stone mortar and pestle. Let flowers sit for 6-7 hours.

  • Place petals in a large mason jar with a lid and cover the petals with distilled water. Try and remember that less is more and you can always add more water later, but can’t take it away.

  • Let sit in the full sun for 2-3 weeks. Check the scent. If it is too weak, leave it in the sun for another week.

  • Strain the blossom water with large strainer or superbag. Funnel into several smaller sterilized jars with lids.

  • Once the water has been made, store the bottles in a cool dark location such as the refrigerator.

Tim Dam-Richards