Creating Bay Rum Cologne: A Beginner's Guide

Bay rum cologne is a fragrance that's often used in aftershave lotion and shaving soaps. It has a distinctive woody, sweet, and spicy scent. The history of bay rum can be traced back to the 16th century when sailors discovered that the West Indies bay leaf made a great perfume to freshen up and mask their odour while stuck on ships for months. The basic recipe includes bay leaves, cloves, citrus rind, and cinnamon, steeped in rum. Today, people may also add limes, cinnamon, and allspice to create their own unique scent.

How to Make Bay Rum Cologne:

Ingredients and measurements

The ingredients and their measurements for making bay rum cologne can vary depending on the recipe and your personal preferences. Here is a list of commonly used ingredients and their measurements, which you can adjust to your liking:

• Rum: 4 ounces of Jamaican rum or 1.5 cups (375 ml) of rum. You can also use white rum or Appleton rum, which is specifically mentioned in one recipe.
• Bay leaves: 2-3 dried Pimenta racemosa bay leaves, crushed slightly. These bay leaves are different from the typical bay leaves found in grocery stores.
• Allspice: 1/4 teaspoon of whole allspice or 2-3 teaspoons of allspice fruits.
• Cinnamon: 1 stick of cinnamon, broken into pieces, or a small cinnamon stick. You can also use 1/4 teaspoon of dried cinnamon powder.
• Orange/Lime zest: Fresh zest from one small orange or lime. You can adjust the amount to your preference, but be careful not to overpower the other ingredients.
• Glycerin: 1/2 teaspoon of pure liquid vegetable glycerin. This ingredient is optional but acts as a natural preservative and skin soother.
• Water: 1/4 cup of filtered water.
• Bay essential oil: 15-20 drops of Pimenta racemosa bay essential oil or bay laurel essential oil (Laurus nobilis).
• Cloves: 3-5 dried clove buds or 5 drops of essential oil of clove.
• Vanilla extract: 1 tablespoon of authentic vanilla extract. This ingredient is optional but can be added to enhance the sweetness of the cologne.
• Honey: 1/2 teaspoon of honey. This ingredient is optional but acts as a natural preservative and adds a unique touch to the cologne.
• Aloe vera gel: 1-2 teaspoons of aloe vera gel. This ingredient is optional but can be beneficial for those with dry skin.
• Neutral spirit: 4 ounces of a neutral spirit like Everclear or vodka.
• Magnesia: 1 ounce of pulverized magnesia.

You can also add other ingredients like black peppercorns, citrus peels, or spices to customise the fragrance further.

Mixing and steeping

The mixing and steeping process for bay rum cologne is relatively simple but does require some patience. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, gather your ingredients and prepare your workspace. You will need a large jar or bottle with a tight-fitting lid, preferably made of glass. Ensure that your workspace is clean and sterile, especially if you plan on gifting your cologne.

Next, measure out your liquid ingredients, which typically include rum, vodka, or witch hazel. You can also add a small amount of filtered water if desired. Combine these liquids in your jar or bottle.

Now, it's time to add your spices and aromatics. This is where you can get creative and tailor the scent to your preference. Typical ingredients include bay leaves, cinnamon sticks, allspice, cloves, and citrus zest. You can also add essential oils such as bay laurel, clove, or lime for a more concentrated fragrance. Don't be afraid to experiment and add unique ingredients like vanilla extract, honey, or even a pinch of pipe tobacco.

Once you have added all your ingredients, seal the jar or bottle tightly. Give it a good shake to combine all the ingredients, ensuring that any dried spices or plant materials are fully covered by the liquid.

Now, find a cool, dark place to store your mixture. A closet or a dark cabinet is ideal. You want to avoid direct sunlight and heat, as this can affect the quality and fragrance of your cologne.

Let the mixture steep for at least two weeks. During the first week, shake the jar every few days. After that, shake it occasionally until the steeping period is complete. The longer you let it steep, the stronger the fragrance will become.

After the steeping period, it's time to strain your mixture. Use a strainer or coffee filter to remove any plant material and spices. You may need to strain it multiple times to ensure that no residue is left behind.

Now, pour your cologne into a clean bottle or jar. You can add a few drops of essential oil, glycerin, or honey at this point for extra fragrance and preservation.

Finally, your bay rum cologne is ready for use! You can store it at room temperature, but keeping it in the refrigerator will extend its shelf life. Remember to give it a good shake before each use to ensure the ingredients don't separate.

Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and steeping times to create a unique fragrance that suits your taste.

Straining and bottling

Once you've combined your ingredients and left the mixture to sit for a few weeks, it's time to strain and bottle your bay rum cologne.

For the first recipe, you'll need to strain the mixture through several layers of coffee filters. If there is still residue, repeat the process until the liquid is clear. Then, pour the cologne into a nice bottle.

The second recipe is similar, but you'll need to use cheesecloth or coffee filters to strain the liquid. The third recipe also uses coffee filters to strain the liquid.

When your bay rum cologne is bottled, it's ready to use. You can store it at room temperature or in the refrigerator to prolong its shelf life.

You can also add a few extra ingredients to your cologne to customise it further. For example, you could add a teaspoon of honey, or a couple of teaspoons of aloe vera gel and glycerin if you have dry skin.

History of bay rum cologne

Bay rum cologne has a long and intriguing history that dates back to the 1500s or early 16th century. It is particularly associated with sailors and the Caribbean.

The story goes that sailors, who often spent months at sea without bathing, discovered the fragrant properties of the West Indian bay leaf (pimenta racemosa). They found that rubbing the leaves on their bodies helped to mask their bodily odours with a patchouli-like scent.

The next development came when someone—perhaps a sailor, or a merchant—had the idea of steeping the bay leaves in rum. This created a more efficient way of extracting the leaf's oils and made it easier to apply the fragrance. The addition of rum also gave the scent a unique twist.

The basic recipe was then enhanced by the inclusion of other ingredients. Islanders, particularly in St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands, began adding spices and other fragrances such as cloves, citrus rind, and cinnamon. One source credits a merchant, likely a Dane named A.H. Riise, with adding these extra ingredients and selling the cologne.

By the 1800s, bay rum was becoming popular. In 1838, Danish chemist Albert Heinrich Riise (possibly the same person as the merchant mentioned above) mixed St. John bay leaf oils with Virgin Island rums, creating a unique and award-winning fragrance. In 1876, this invention was awarded the Centennial Medal, along with awards in New Orleans and Chicago.

In the early 1900s, bay rum became an important export from the Virgin Islands. It is said that at its peak, 1,000 gallons of pure St. John bay leaf oil were blended into over 35,000 gallons of bay rum.

During the Prohibition era, bay rum producers in the Virgin Islands could no longer export their product to the US. However, they found a loophole by adding aspirin to the mix, allowing them to continue selling it as a legal beverage.

In 1946, US Naval Officer Captain John Webb, stationed in St. Thomas during World War II, founded the St. Johns Fragrance Company. He blended local bay rum with tropical bay leaf oils and spices, creating a range of distinctive men's fragrances. The iconic hand-woven palm frond bottles were inspired by Virgin Island fishing baskets.

The post-World War II era saw a shift in men's grooming habits, with a greater emphasis on appearance and fragrance. This, coupled with clever advertising and distinctive packaging, contributed to the success and popularity of the St. Johns Bay Rum brand.

Today, bay rum cologne continues to be a timeless and masculine scent, evoking the exotic history of the Caribbean.

Customising your cologne

The best part about making your own bay rum cologne is that you can customise it to your liking. The base of the cologne is usually made up of bay leaves, rum, cinnamon, and allspice, but you can add other ingredients to make it your own. Here are some ideas to get you started:

Spices and Scents

You can experiment with different spices and scents to create a unique fragrance. Some popular options include cloves, citrus rind, juniper, lavender, rosemary, and black peppercorns. These ingredients will add a spicy, boozy, and slightly minty scent to your cologne. You can also add a hint of vanilla extract to make it sweeter.

Citrus

Citrus fruits like oranges, limes, and lemons can add a refreshing and zesty note to your cologne. You can use the zest, peels, or essential oils of these fruits. Just be careful not to add too much, as it can overpower the other ingredients.

Glycerin and Honey

Glycerin and honey are natural preservatives that can be added to your cologne to soothe the skin. They will also give your cologne a slightly sweeter scent.

Alcohol

You can experiment with different types of alcohol as the base for your cologne. Rum is the traditional choice, but you can also use vodka or everclear. You can also adjust the amount of alcohol to change the strength of the cologne.

Tobacco

For a truly unique scent, you can add a pinch of pipe tobacco to your cologne. Just be aware that it has a strong scent, so a little goes a long way.

Remember, the key to customising your cologne is to experiment and have fun. Don't be afraid to try new ingredients and combinations. With a little trial and error, you can create a signature scent that's perfect for you.

Frequently asked questions