I love how the lilac bush in my back yard smells. I decided this year, I would tincture the flowers. If I like the result, I’ll use the tincture for the base of a perfume. This isn’t my first tincture, but this is my first attempt at one with fresh flowers. Both of my perfuming teachers, Julianne Zaleta and Charna Ethier, have tinctured from fresh material, so I figured I’d give it a try.
I picked my flowers early in the morning when they are the most fragrant and let the dew dry off.
Each flower was picked off the stem, I didn’t want any of the green in my tincture.
Halfway done!
All the flowers are in the mason jar.
Pouring the Everclear into the jar.
The start of my lilac tincture.
I had a few flowers left over and put them in another mason jar with some fractionated coconut oil. I’m hoping they will scent the oil.
Tincturing results
I have to say I was disappointed with the results. The flowers turned brown and no matter how many times I replaced the lilac buds, there are no lilac aroma in the alcohol or the fractionated coconut oil, at least to me.
I may try again with my honeysuckle bush, but I’m expecting the same results. Maybe an enfleurage instead…
Yours in Gratitude,
Angela
Angela, that is so cool! I have to try that with my Lilacs! Looking forward to your results!
Lisa the lilacs have been in the alcohol now for about 3 hours and are no longer purple. I’m going to take them out and put in a new batch tomorrow. I hope it works!
I’d love to know how it turns out. I distilled lilac once – the smell was awful. Its interesting that the scent will not distill out. I’ve never tinctured but have infused in oil which didn’t produce much of a scent. So do let us know! I love lilacs.
Cindy so far I’ve replaced the lilac flowers once. The tincture smells green, not like lilacs at all. I’ll keep replacing them every day until my lilacs are gone. Keep your fingers crossed!