How to Make Orange Blossom Water

Orange blossoms make a fragrant addition to foods and drinks.

True orange blossom water is created by the steam distillation used to make essential oil, but you can make a version of the fragrant solution at home. Orange blossom water is made from the flowers of the bitter orange tree or Seville orange. It's used in Middle Eastern and French cooking, as well as in specialty cocktails. Orange blossom water is used in both sweet and savory dishes in North Africa and mostly for sweets and pastries in France. You can add orange blossom water to your bath and it's used in milk or tea as a calming sleep aid according to Easy-French-Food.com.

Things You'll Need

• Fresh orange blossoms
• Distilled water
• Glass jar and bottles
• Mortar and pestle
• Cheesecloth

Instructions

1. 

   Macerate the wet orange blossoms.

   Rinse orange blossoms in cool water and grind them down with your mortar and pestle. Allow the wet blossoms to sit for several hours.

2. 

   Use only distilled water.

   Add the orange petals to the glass jar and fill with distilled water. Cover and place the jar in full sun for two weeks. Check the readiness by giving it a sniff.

3. 

   Orange trees outside of Seville Cathedral.

   Strain the blossom water through cheesecloth into jars or bottles with lids and store in cool, dark place.

Tips & Warnings

• Mix the blossom water into cake and cookie batters or add it to crepe mixtures. Combine it with chocolate desserts and add it to salads.

• Use orange blossom water sparingly because the scent can overpower your dish.

References

• Marigold Lane: Orange Blossom Water
• Easy French Food: Orange Flower Water