Rose water can be used in many ways, I use it in my homemade creams, toners, cleansers, etc. I also use it as a home remedy for skin and eye problems so it is best to have a bottle of rose water at home. Though we get rose water in the markets, it is just water mixed with essence.
We can easily make rose water at home without any preservatives or added colors. All we need are a handful of fresh roses. I always use paneer roses for making rose water at home. We get paneer roses in two colors – light pink color (the ones in the picture) and dark pink color.
I would prefer making it with dark pink color roses as it gives a nice dark color to the rose water. Because I couldn’t get pesticide free dark paneer roses, I have used the light pink ones. This rose water is very fragrant but please always use roses that are not sprayed with pesticides.
You can substitute the paneer roses with regular red roses too but the rose water will not have the fragrance that is unique to paneer roses. This rose water has multiple uses and it can even be used daily as a cleanser or you can use it to make homemade lotion to use everyday. To make rose water, wash the flowers and separate the petals. Boil water in a pan.
Once it comes to a boil, add all the petals and close the pan. Let the petals steep for at least 20 minutes. Now strain the water and boil it down to one cup. Reserve the petals. Once it has boiled down, switch off and add the reserved petals. Steep for the second time for another 20 minutes. Strain, cool and bottle your homemade rose water. Make sure to store it in the refrigerator.
Indian Rose Water Recipe Using Paneer Roses
1.First remove the petals from the flowers and keep it separately. Boil 2 cups of water in a pan. Once it comes to a rolling boil add the all the petals and switch off. Let it steep for 20 minutes with the lid closed.
2. After 20 minutes, strain the water in a pan and reserve the petals separately (we will need the petals later so don’t throw it away).
3. Now take the strained water in a pan and boil till it reduces to less than 1 cup.
4.Once the water has reached the desired consistency, switch off. Now add the reserved petals and again let it steep for another 20 minutes.
5.After 20 minutes, strain the water and discard the petals. Cool completely and pour it in a bottle and keep in the refrigerator.
NOTES:
- Don’t skip the steeping part as it really helps to get the essence of the petals completely.
- If you use the dark colored roses, you get a beautiful dark red colored rose water.
- Keep it tightly caped in the refrigerator and use it within a week.
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love this! what's the benefit of boiling the 2 cups of steeped rose water down to 1 cup…does it make it more potent?
Sonja, Boiling it down, makes it into a thick concentrate, ideal for adding it to lotion and creams. It also intensifies the flavor….
does this still work with dried rose petals?
You can make it with dried rose petals though I haven't tried it still……
Hi u r boiling 2 times but in youtube its given 1 time boiling and keep it cool for 1 hr and strain.it was given like dat
Hi u r boiling 2 times but in youtube its given 1 time boiling and keep it cool for 1 hr and strain.it was given like dat
Can you use yellow roses and does the color of the rose really matter? If so, why?
You can use yellow color roses but the color of the rose water will not be appealing. Red or pink roses will give beautiful pink color to the rose water and especially the pink paneer variety (damascus roses) have a beautiful smell that makes the rose water smell so heavenly……
You say to boil until it reduces. Do you do this with the lid on?
I don't use the lid…..
Hi Ramya garu Do you do in in high flame or is low flame better !!
Hello I am YO , can you use rose water in Ghee…for the skin.To add some nice smell to it ? ( 100x washed Ghee)
You can add few drops of rose water in ghee for skin but mix while applying on the skin…
Hi…could u please explain the difference between paneer rose and normal ones…
Paneer roses have a very unique, wonderful fragrance that normal roses don't have. They are very delicate and wilt faster than normal roses….
You are so patient in answering all questions…. Thank you for the wonderful Blog… 🙂 I feel happy that i am also from same home town… Take care.
Hi Geetha, I am so very glad that you find the blog useful…:)
Rampriya, you have a fabulous blog. The content and explaination is amazing. I just have one suggestion: When you have "recipes" for many items for personal use such as eye liner, creams and lotions, can you show the eye liner in your eyes or do a swatch of the creams on your skin. This is so we know the consistency, colour etc. If you are shy to put your photos, you can take a close up of just the eyes or even find a willing volunteer.Also you can talk a little more about the limitations. Such as smudging of the eyeliner. We all know that natural products do not have preservatives and chemicals which make them last longer. So it will be good if you elaborate on the product.But i saved your blog as my favourite. Great job. Thank you.
Thanks a lot for your suggestions, I should try finding a volunteer soon…:)
I have made rose water from light pink rose in my garden ( organic ). At first the water was light yellow in colou but later it turned out to be Green in colour. Why did this happen? And is it still safe to use? Plz reply ☺
I usually find that if we use fresh rose petals picked off the plant, the color released is pink else it turns an ugly yellow. Next time try using fresh rose petals plucked off the plant….
Can rose water turn into green colour?
If you use fresh rose petals, it won't turn yellow or green….
Hi Ramya,first of all, thank you so very much for sharing all those lovely recipes! What would be the botanical name for the paneer rose? I live in Germany and seem to have trouble finding a propper translation. ThankYou!
Hi Isabell, The botanical name of paneer variety rose is Rosa Damascena…
hi ramya garu !! i have tried this recepi with paneer (light rose colour) variety rose…but rose water has turned into yellow color after steeping for the first time…boling it after removing petals made it into more yellow in color…is that okay??? can i use this yellow coloured rose water..what is the reason for color changing…can i store this rose water without refrigerating ? what is the shelf life without refridgerating…plzz reply
What is rhe shelf life of homemade rose water without refregerating…
Mam I discovered your blog recently and it is a treasure. It is just fantastic. In making rose water you have specified to use rose not sprayed with pesticide. While buying from shop how to ensure that it is not sprayed.?
I too would like to ask what the shelf life is if we do not refrigeerate
Author
It usually lasts well for about a week depending on the climate….
Hi, Ramya Mam….I have been reading your blogs for a couple days…I have found it interesting, beneficial & informative & your you tube videos are brilliant too.Regarding this amazing homemade rose water, I would want to try it but you have mentioned to use pestiside free roses but could you guide me where can I get pestiside free roses…I stay in Kolkata…Also if not found how can I safely use it by purifying roses from the pestisides and use it safely for this recipe.Thanks a lot for your wonderful effort :).