Alchemologie Natural Perfume

I have a refrigerator full of probiotic sodas right now. Spring happens so fast and I’m trying to capture the blossoms before they fade. Blossoms have yeast on them so all they need is sugar water and time and they will ferment to create a bubbly floral soda. This year I used different combinations of cherry blossoms, redbud flowers, wisteria and sweet woodruff.

Smell the roses and you find a nuanced, multi-layered cornucopia of fragrant notes. Roses are chemically complex and have more than 300 chemical constituents, present in mere trace amounts, yet they contribute immensely to the sublime and nuanced fragrance we know as rose. We’ll tour the Cranford Rose Garden and then head back to the classroom to create perfumes inspired by tender, dewy, nectarous and honeyed roses.

I didn’t make a lot of potions this winter but I did manage to eke out a couple of orange liqueurs. The brandy is flavored with an incredibly delicious minneola and the vodka based one with mandarins. I’m ready for margaritas and, most importantly, sangria.

So excited to finally start my Potions series at the Old Stone House in Park Slope. We’ll start with an exploration of the herbal medicine already on hand in your spice rack and pantry. Oregano, black pepper and cinnamon are some of the herbal powerhouses we’ll be covering. Join us!

Oregano is an herbal powerhouse. Come learn about the herbal medicine you already have on hand in your kitchen pantry and cupboards. Your spice rack alone can ease indigestion, lower your blood pressure and soothe your aches and pains. Join us at the Old Stone House in Brooklyn on Saturday, April 4th at noon. Register at theoldstonehouse.org/events.