Ingredients:
2-3 quarts fresh roses or rose petals
Water
Ice cubes or crushed ice
- In the center of a large pot (the speckled blue canning pots are ideal)
with an inverted lid (a rounded lid), place a fireplace brick. On top of the
brick place the bowl. Put the roses in the pot; add enough flowers to reach the
top of the brick. Pour in just enough water to cover the roses. The water
should be just above the top of the brick. - Place the lid upside down on the pot. Turn on the stove and bring the
water to a rolling boil, then lower heat to a slow steady simmer. As soon as
the water begins to boil, toss two or three trays of ice cubes (or a bag of
ice) on top of the lid. - You’ve now created a home still! As the water boils the steam rises, hits
the top of the cold lid, and condenses. As it condenses it flows to the center
of the lid and drops into the bowl. Every 20 minutes, quickly lift the lid and
take out a tablespoon or two of the rose water. It’s time to stop when you have
between a pint and a quart of water that smells and tastes strongly like roses.
Adapted from Chrissie Wildwood “The Encyclopedia of Aromatherapy”