Heidi Norton
Vodka is not commonly used in perfumery because it is typically only 40% alcohol, which is not a high enough proof for perfume. Vodka is also mostly water, which does not help with extraction. For perfume, a higher concentration of ethanol is desired. Pure ethanol or SDA40B denatured ethanol is preferable to vodka because it is almost scentless. SDA40B is a specific grade of denatured alcohol that is widely used and recommended for perfumes.
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What You'll Learn
Vodka is not pure enough for perfume
The alcohol used in perfumes is often denatured, meaning it has been made unfit for human consumption. Denaturing alcohol can involve adding poisons or bad-tasting chemicals, so it is important to know exactly what has been added to the alcohol. Cosmetic grade Trade-Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA) is the most widely used and recommended variant for perfume. SD-40b is a specific grade denatured with tert-butyl alcohol and is the ideal perfumer's alcohol.
Some countries require a license to obtain TSDA, so some brands sell proprietary Perfumer's Alcohol blends. This is a blend of alcohol and some additives used as a base for perfumes. It is important to note that not all denaturants are harmful, and most perfumes are made using a specific type of denatured alcohol.
While vodka is not suitable for perfume, other alcoholic beverages are. For example, the essential oils of cognac and brandy lees are used in perfumery, bringing warm, fruity, sweet, and sulphurous notes to a fragrance. Wormwood, the essential oil of absinthe, is also used in perfumes, adding fresh, aniseed, mentholated, bitter, and woody notes. Whisky, rum, and gin are also used in perfumery, each bringing their own unique notes to the fragrance.
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Vodka is mostly water
Vodka is not suitable for perfume-making because it is mostly water. Typically, vodka contains only around 40% alcohol, which is not a high enough proof for perfumery—the ideal percentage is 95% or higher.
One of the key steps in perfume-making is the extraction of scents from raw ingredients. This process requires a high concentration of alcohol, which is why vodka is not effective. The high alcohol content also helps to preserve the fragrance.
Some people do experiment with using vodka in homemade perfumes, but the results are often disappointing. For instance, one person tried to make a vanilla perfume by infusing vanilla beans in vodka, but the vanilla scent was very faint. Another person attempted to make a perfume with tonka beans and vodka, but the tonka scent was undetectable.
In addition, vodka can contain additives that may interfere with the scent of the perfume. It is also important to note that heat should be avoided during the perfume-making process, as it can break down fragrant materials. Instead, it is recommended to allow the ingredients to infuse over a longer period of time.
Overall, while vodka may be a convenient option for those just starting out with perfume-making, it is not an ideal choice due to its high water content and low alcohol percentage. For a more successful perfume, a high-proof ethanol product like Everclear or SDA40B is recommended.
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Ethanol is the type of alcohol used in perfume
Vodka is not suitable for perfume-making because it is usually around 40% alcohol, which is not high enough proof for perfumery since you need 95%+ alcohol. Instead, ethanol is the type of alcohol used in perfumes. Ethanol is the specific alcohol you get when you add an ethyl group (an arrangement of 2 carbon and 5 hydrogen atoms) to the alcohol (-OH). It is found in alcoholic drinks, biofuel, and perfumes.
Alcoholic perfumes (i.e. the usual spray-on ones, not oil-based ones) are made by diluting a fragrance concentrate (made up of things like aromachemicals and essential oils) with ethanol. The ethanol used in perfumer's alcohol is often denatured, meaning it has been treated to make it unsuitable for consumption by adding certain substances such as methanol, isopropyl alcohol, or various bittering agents. Denatured alcohol should never be labelled as the sole component of a perfume because it can contain toxic substances. The exception is cosmetic-grade Trade Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA), which is made specifically for use in cosmetic products. The most widely used and recommended variant is SD-40b (a specific grade denatured with tert-butyl alcohol).
Grain alcohol, which can be considered organic if the source material was grown organically, is another form of ethanol that can be used in perfumery. To be used in perfumery, it must be cosmetics-grade and diluted to at least 95% ethanol content. A high-proof grain alcohol named Everclear, made in the United States, is 190-proof and 95% ethanol, which is considered food-grade and suitable for perfumery. The sources for this type of alcohol are vegetable-based and include fruits, cereals, and sugar cane. It has little to no odour, making it ideal for use in natural perfumes.
Alcohol serves several functions in perfume-making, making it a key ingredient for many perfumers. It acts as a solvent, effectively dissolving and blending essential oils and aromatic compounds in perfumes, ensuring even distribution. Alcohol's rapid evaporation rate helps project the perfume, dispersing the fragrance from the skin. It also acts as a preservative, preventing microbial growth and extending the shelf life of perfumes.
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Vodka can be flavoured with fruits, nuts, and spices
Vodka is not typically used in perfumes because it is usually only 40% alcohol, which is not high enough for perfumery. Instead, perfumes use a specific type of denatured alcohol called Trade Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA), which is around 95% ethanol.
However, vodka can be flavoured with fruits, nuts, and spices. Vodka is a versatile spirit that can take on the flavour of whatever you add to it. To make fruit-flavoured vodka, simply cover ripe fruit with vodka and wait a few days. You can also add spices, fresh herbs, or other ingredients like citrus peels, minced ginger, vanilla beans, or whole cloves. For a more complex flavour, combine different fruits or add spices to a single-fruit vodka. High-proof vodka is best for infusing, as it will extract more fruit flavour. When making cocktails with flavoured vodka, consider how the ingredients will pair with the other components. For example, a grapefruit vodka spritz pairs well with avocado, citrus segments, or grilled shrimp in a salad. Vodka can also be used in food pairings, such as a classic vodka martini with pasta in a creamy tomato sauce.
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Other spirits like gin, rum, and whisky are used in perfumery
While vodka is a popular spirit used in perfumery, other spirits like gin, rum, and whisky are also used to create unique and captivating fragrances.
Gin, a distilled alcoholic drink flavoured with juniper berries and other botanicals, has a long history dating back to the early 17th century when it was used as a medicinal liquor by monks and alchemists across Europe. Modern gin was later modified in the Flanders and Netherlands, and it became an object of commerce in the spirits industry. While gin is commonly used as a base spirit for mixed drinks like the martini, it has also found its way into the world of perfumery. Although rare, some fragrances do feature gin accords, adding a unique twist to the scent.
Rum is another spirit that inspires perfumers to create intriguing fragrances. Rum-based perfumes can evoke a range of sensations, from cozy fireside evenings to sinful passions and fetishes. Rum accords in perfumes can be intense and beautiful, providing a strong alcoholic aroma that some may find intoxicating and seductive.
Whisky, with its refined and elegant character, is a less common but captivating ingredient in the perfume market. Whisky accords are often found in men's colognes and perfumes, adding a warm, woody character that evokes the atmosphere of private gentlemen's clubs, smoking rooms, and elegant evenings. The complex process of whisky production, involving the selection of grains and aging methods, contributes to the distinctive olfactory notes found in whisky-inspired perfumes.
The use of these spirits in perfumery showcases the creativity and innovation of perfumers, who draw inspiration from the unique characteristics of each spirit to craft distinctive and memorable fragrances. Whether it's the sharp notes of gin, the intense aroma of rum, or the warm, woody character of whisky, the inclusion of these spirits adds depth and complexity to the olfactory experience.
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Frequently asked questions
Vodka is not typically used in perfume as it is usually around 40% alcohol, which is not high enough proof for perfumery. Vodka is also mostly water, which does not help with extraction.
The type of alcohol used in perfume is ethanol, specifically 190-proof or higher, which is effectively pure ethanol.
Proof is a measure of alcohol content. 190-proof alcohol corresponds to 95% ethanol.
Alcohol is considered "denatured" when it is made unfit for human consumption with the addition of poison, bad-tasting chemicals, or similar. Most perfumes are made using a specific type of denatured alcohol called Trade Specific Denatured Alcohol (TSDA).
One example of a denaturing agent used in perfume is SDA40B, which is a specific grade of alcohol denatured with tert-butyl alcohol.
