The famous American version of Eau de Cologne
Florida water has the same citrus basis as Cologne Water, but shifts the emphasis to sweet orange (rather than the lemon of the original Cologne Water) and adds spicy notes including lavender and clove.
How to use
Florida Water today is still valued for its refreshing and tonic nature as well as its scent, and can be used as a skin toner, body splash, toilet water (eau de toilette) or adding it to the bath or wash-water.
It can also be used for spiritual cleansing of body, room or atmosphere before a shamanistic ritual.
Many US sport teams use Florida Water as a refresher during the hot summer months by filling a small lunch sized ice chest with water and ice and a few caps of Florida Water. They then soak rags in the tonic and wipe their pulse points and necks with the soaked rags, providing a very cooling effect to the skin and body.
Specifications
Contents: 270ml, 70ml, 22ml
The name refers to the fabled Fountain of Youth, which was said to be located in Florida, as well as the "flowery" nature of the scent.
This Florida Water from the famed Murray & Lanman company still uses the original 1808 formula, and that the current label is also a slightly modified version of the 1808 original.
In the beginning it was regarded a unisex cologne, suitable for men and women alike. Victorian etiquette manuals warned young ladies against the "offensive" impression made by a strong perfume, but Florida Water and Eau de Cologne were recommended as appropriate for all, along with sachets for scenting the linen and fresh flowers in the corsage. Large quantities were also used by barbershops as cologne and aftershave.
