Rose water is a very nice yet mild astringent, but it can be pretty pricey to purchase in the store. Not only that, not all rose waters sold in stores are actually 100% pure rose water, as some are made with synthetic rose oil.
2 quarts fresh roses or rose petals
Water (does not need to be distilled water)
Fireplace brick (solid brick)
Ice cubes
Large pot with a rounded lid(not flat)
Stainless steel bowl or heat-proof glass bowl
In a large pot, place the brick, then the bowl on top of it. Place the rose petals in the pot around the brick on the bottom of the pot, layered so they reach the top of the brick. Then add water to cover the roses and just barely covering the top of the brick.
Next, place the lid UPSIDE DOWN on top of the pot. Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to bring to a simmer. Once simmering, place 10 or so handfuls of ice on top of the lid (the upside down lid creates a bowl for the ice to sit in).
The ice on the lid causes the rising steam to condense and then drip into the bowl inside the pot. Every 20 minutes or so, lift the lid and remove the rose water, leaving the lid off for the shortest time possible. Continue until you have about a quart of rose water, or until the water you remove from the pot does not smell as strongly of roses. Store in a tight container.
If you are looking for a great deal on rose petals, talk to local florists, they will often give you damaged or otherwise unusable roses for free or at a steep discount.
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