Continuing the stillroom theme, I decided to dig more into making scented waters. I wanted to know how likely it was that households of moderate means could make these wonders. It turns out that it was not only possible but likely, for they were made from three essential ingredients:
- 3 cups of distilled water
- 3 ounces of ethyl alcohol
- 15-30 drops of oil/spice powder
I discovered that it was not just lavender or rose, though those were the most common. As I had imagined, the scented water was as diverse as the one it was made for. Apple blossoms, orange peels, lemon, cinnamon, apricot, bergamot? A scent could be as lovely and distinct as the one wearing it. There is a heady bergamot and lime scent made by Bronnley that I fell in love with in my twenties, so I can attest that there are many possibilities and countless options in the fields and gardens. A pottery still was used to distill flowers to extract oil, a practice used since 1200 BCE in Mesopotamia.
Depending upon a lady’s stores and available jars, it would be possible for a lady to have many oils ready-to-make scents from the estate and gardens when she wished to make a unique gift or refill her stock. It was indeed a room where she could spend many satisfying hours.
Sources for Absolutely Scent-sational!:
Kane, Kathryn “Before Vanilla: Rose Water in the Regency” The Regency Redingote May 4, 2018, Before Vanilla: Rose Water in the Regency | The Regency Redingote (wordpress.com)
Boyle. Laura “English Lavender Water – History and Recipes” Janeausten.co.uk January 3, 2002, English Lavender Water – History and Recipes – Jane Austen articles and blog
Hatch, Donna “Regency Fragrances….and what does she smell like?” Historical Hussies April 4, 2011, Historical Hussies: Regency Fragrances….and what does she smell like?
Eastwood, Gail “Smelling Sweet in the Regency: Part 3 (Making Sense of Making Scents)” Risky Regencies Updated January 24, 2023, Smelling Sweet in the Regency: Part 3 (Making Sense of Making Scents) – Risky Regencies
Lathan, Sharon “Georgian Era Kitchen Room(s). Yes, more than just one room!” Sharon Lathan October 31, 2017, Updated October 19, 2022, Georgian Era Kitchen Room(s). Yes, more than just one room! – Sharon Lathan, Novelist (sharonlathanauthor.com)
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