Make Rose Water at Home—and Use It for Everything From Cocktails to Skin Care (2025)

Enjoying flowers doesn’t have to stop at a beautifully arranged bouquet or a well-tended garden. Some blooms can be consumed or mixed into elixirs, bringing aesthetic charm, subtle flavor, and wellness benefits to your dishes and routine. Among them, rose stands out as a longtime favorite, particularly as rose water: a fragrant, clear liquid made by steeping rose petals in water.

The use of rose water dates back thousands of years, used medicinally in ancient Persia to help with the side effects of aging, and eventually making its way into plenty of Middle Eastern recipes and traditions. Today rose water is everywhere, from luxe skincare labels to handed-down dessert recipes. It’s delicate, versatile, and definitely worth a spot on your shelf. Here's how to make rose water—and everything you can do with it.

What Is Rose Water?

Simply put, rose water is a liquid that's created from steeping rose petals. "Rose water is simply the fragrant liquid left behind when fresh rose petals are steeped in water," explains Yumna Jawad, founder of Feel Good Foodie. "It's like floral tea, and the steeping process brings the natural oils and smell of roses into the water."

Taste-wise, it's slightly sweet and floral. And beyond the nice taste, rose water is also believed to have some health and nutritional benefits."While I primarily use rose water for its floral, delicate flavor, it has digestive benefits as well and can help ease some digestive discomfort," says Jawad.

Studies also show that rose petal extract can be soothing for skin, thanks to its natural polyphenols. Plus, "because of its floral fragrance, it also has aromatherapy benefits which can help reduce stress," adds Jawad.

How to Make Rose Water

Rose water is made similarly to steeping tea, according to Jawad. Start by rinsing fresh, untreated rose petals in a colander. They should not have been treated with pesticides, and should be food-grade if buying from a local florist.

After cleaning, add them to a saucepan and cover the flower petals with filtered water. Simmer for at least 30 minutes. Cool the liquid, strain it, and it’s ready to use. If refrigerated and stored in an air-tight container, homemade rose water can typically last a month.

While rose water is simple enough to make at home, you can also buy ready-made rose water. While typically found in specialty food and health food stores, it's quickly becoming more readily available in general grocery stores. But remember: "Quality matters," Jawad says. "Look for 100 percent pure steam-distilled rose water, with no added alcohol or synthetic fragrance. My favorite brand is Cortas Rose Flower Water from Lebanon."

How to Use Rose Water

Rose water has many culinary uses in desserts, drinks, and for health and home uses.Below, see some popular ways to utilize this fragrant favorite.

In Cooking

Rose water can impart a subtle floral flavor to a variety of dishes and beverages. "I’ve used rose water to add a subtly sweet rose flavor to Middle Eastern recipes like Lebanese rice pudding, knafeh, and halva," Jawad says. "Rose water can also be used to create a floral simple syrup to pour over treats like Lebanese-style baklava, Middle Eastern pancakes, and lemonade."

A dash of rose water in a cocktail or mocktail is also one of those tiny flourishes that can make a drink feel (and taste) instantly elevated. It pairs beautifully with citrus, berry, or herbaceous flavors—think rosewater lemonade and gin spritzes, served in your prettiest glassware and garnished with dried rose petals.

For a floral dessert perfect for summer gatherings or tea time, consider these rose raspberry macarons that are infused with delicate rose water.

In Skincare

"Aside from use in recipes, rose water also has beauty and wellness benefits," says Jawad. After performing a taste patch, it can be used as a soothing skin toner. Add it to a spray bottle to spray directly on skin, or apply to a cotton pad and then wipe over skin. Some also prefer to wash their face with rose water.

In Your Home Routine

"Add it to a spray bottle to use as a linen spray," Jawad suggests. A light mist over your sheets, pillowcases, or guest towels will add a subtle floral scent that feels both fresh and indulgent—like slipping into a hotel bed. It's an easy way to elevate your space with something as simple as a few rose petals and a spritz.