Cologne Water (Eau de Cologne).
This famous perfume, which was first made in Cologne on the Rhine, its formula being kept secret, can be produced anywhere of the same quality as the original. In order to obtain a first-class product, it is necessary, besides using the finest oils—a matter of course for all fine perfumes—to observe another special point. Every Cologne water contains oils of the citron group which develop their best odors only in true spirit of wine. Unless an alcohol distilled from wine is used, it will be impossible to make a Cologne water of really first quality. While it is possible to make a good cologne with grain or potato spirit, especially if highly rectified, comparison with one prepared from pure spirit of wine will at once show a marked difference. The small amount of œnanthic ether, hardly demonstrable by chemical tests but present in every spirit of wine, exerts a decided influence on the flavor.
Cologne water of the most superior and incomparable quality is made by dissolving the essential oils, excepting the oils of rosemary and neroli, in the alcohol and distilling it, the other oils being added to the distillate.
A very large number of formulas for the preparation of Cologne water have been published of which we subjoin a few. We have purposely omitted those containing many essential oils, as experience has taught us that they are of little value; for it is not the number of oils that determines the fineness of a perfume, but the manner in which certain odors are combined.
A. Finest Cologne Water (Eau de Cologne Supérieure).
| Oil of bergamot | 2½ oz. |
| Oil of lemon (hand-pressed) | 6 oz. |
| Oil of neroli pétale | 3½ oz. |
| Oil of neroli bigarade | 1¼ oz. |
| Oil of rosemary | 2½ oz. |
| Alcohol | 30 qts. |
B. Cologne Water (Second Quality).
| Oil of bergamot | 4½ oz. |
| Oil of lemon | 4½ oz. |
| Oil of neroli pétale | ¾ oz. |
| Oil of orange peel | 4½ oz. |
| Oil of petit grain | 2½ oz. |
| Oil of rosemary | 2½ oz. |
| Alcohol | 30 qts. |
C. Cologne Water (ordinary).
| Oil of bergamot | 7 oz. |
| Oil of lemon | 3½ oz. |
| Oil of lavender | 3½ oz. |
| Alcohol | 30 qts. |
D. Cologne Water.
| Oil of bergamot | 1¾ oz. |
| Oil of lemon | 3½ oz. |
| Oil of lavender | 150 grains. |
| Oil of neroli | ½ oz. |
| Oil of rosemary | 75 grains. |
| Alcohol | 30 qts. |
E. Cologne Water.
| Oil of bergamot | 2 oz. |
| Oil of lemon | 1 oz. |
| Oil of lavender | ½ oz. |
| Oil of melissa | ¼ oz. |
| Oil of neroli | ¼ oz. |
| Alcohol | 30 qts. |
F. Cologne Water.
| Oil of bergamot | 3½ oz. |
| Oil of lemon | ½ oz. |
| Oil of lavender | ¼ oz. |
| Oil of melissa | ½ oz. |
| Oil of neroli | ¼ oz. |
| Alcohol | 30 qts. |
G. Cologne Water.
| Oil of bergamot | 1 lb. |
| Oil of lemon | 1 lb. |
| Oil of lavender | 6½ oz. |
| Oil of neroli | ¾ oz. |
| Oil of petit grain | 1½ oz. |
| Oil of orange peel | 1 lb. |
| Oil of rosemary | 150 grains. |
| Alcohol | 30 qts. |
H. Cologne Water.
| Oil of bergamot | 2¼ oz. |
| Oil of cajuput | ½ oz. |
| Oil of lemon | 4½ oz. |
| Oil of lavender | 6½ oz. |
| Oil of neroli | 2¼oz. |
| Oil of orange peel | 4½ oz. |
| Oil of petit grain | ½ oz. |
| Orange-flower water | 1 qt. |
| Alcohol | 30 qts. |
The numerous formulas show that oils of lemon, bergamot, and orange form normal constituents of every Cologne water; the finer grades always contain, in addition, oils of rosemary and neroli. It is advisable to dissolve the aromatics in very strong alcohol and then to effect the dilution required with orange-flower or rose water. This dilution is also to be employed when a cheaper product is desired.