Oriental Ottar of Roses

Ingredients

• freshly gathered roses
• pure water

Directions

1. Put freshly gathered roses into a still, keeping their flower cups intact.

2. Add one-third of the weight of the roses in pure water and mix by hand.

3. Kindle a gentle fire beneath the still.

4. As the water heats, ensure all interstices are well sealed and place cold water on the refrigeratory at the top.

5. When the water begins to distill, gradually reduce the heat until a sufficient quantity of the first distillate is collected.

6. Add an equal weight of water to the flowers or three times that amount, rekindle the fire, and repeat the distillation process for the second distillate.

7. Pour the distilled water into shallow earthen or tin vessels and expose to air until the next morning.

8. Skim off the ottar or essence that appears on the surface and pour it into phials.