Home Made Bay Rum

[RF1963]

I suspect this topic has been around so long it sprouts grey whiskers but here's my contribution to the subject.

This recipe was on TV this morning in a slot promoting a book of "old" wisdoms. I had my doubts about the aftershave made of chamomile tea and drops of Lavender Essential Oil but this recipe seemed a bit more sensible supported by the presenter's commentary about the age and uses of Bay Rum. So I gave it a go:

1 cup vodka
4 tsp dark rum
4 dried bay leaves
1/2 tsp Allspice
2 cinnamon quills
orange zest (optional)

Leave to infuse, strain and bottle.

I've made it up and it's in a sealed airtight jar sitting in a cool dark place. I know the bay leaves aren't exactly correct but I can't get the West Indian Bay Leaves (Pimenta Racemosa). I'm hoping this works. I can't find anyone in Auckland who stocks Bay Rum and it's almost impossible to order alcohol based colognes/aftershaves to be sent from overseas.

I'll update this thread with my impressions of the product.

 

[bob.e]

good luck with your efforts

 

[Picaro]

The combination of Bay laurel leave with the Allspice works quite well. Allspice is a relative of West Indies Bay.
If I remember correctly its legal in NZ to distil for personal use, so if you can get some spirit in the 65-80% alc. range it will enhance the extraction for you.
Its very satisfying to use your own product. Go well.

As for the lavender EO recipe....only the very finest of lavender oils is a sure thing. Many cheaper lavender oils are the culprit behind a lot of folks burning sensations with products.

 

[spindlecone]

Sounds great,Don't drink myself but the wife would never miss a tad of her ketal one.
Off to the kitchen

 

[Swashbuckler]

What a concoction! You must let us know of the outcome!

 

[Born2bwire]

I suspect this topic has been around so long it sprouts grey whiskers but here's my contribution to the subject.

This recipe was on TV this morning in a slot promoting a book of "old" wisdoms. I had my doubts about the aftershave made of chamomile tea and drops of Lavender Essential Oil but this recipe seemed a bit more sensible supported by the presenter's commentary about the age and uses of Bay Rum. So I gave it a go:

1 cup vodka
4 tsp dark rum
4 dried bay leaves
1/2 tsp Allspice
2 cinnamon quills
orange zest (optional)

Leave to infuse, strain and bottle.

I've made it up and it's in a sealed airtight jar sitting in a cool dark place. I know the bay leaves aren't exactly correct but I can't get the West Indian Bay Leaves (Pimenta Racemosa). I'm hoping this works. I can't find anyone in Auckland who stocks Bay Rum and it's almost impossible to order alcohol based colognes/aftershaves to be sent from overseas.

I'll update this thread with my impressions of the product.

I just asked for a shipping quote from Ogallala. Good Lord, 8 oz of Bay Rum aftershave, 4 oz of Bay Rum cologne, 4 oz of Bay Rum aftershave, and a soap sampler would cost $37 USD to ship. I have asked for some other shipping quotes but Ogallala mentioned that their European distributor, Badger & Hone, may do better. They say that the shipping for me would be 3.5 Pound Sterling for any amount of products but they only carry the aftershaves. Not too bad though, still I would be keen on hearing about your results.

 

[rolisrgti06]

I suspect this topic has been around so long it sprouts grey whiskers but here's my contribution to the subject.

This recipe was on TV this morning in a slot promoting a book of "old" wisdoms. I had my doubts about the aftershave made of chamomile tea and drops of Lavender Essential Oil but this recipe seemed a bit more sensible supported by the presenter's commentary about the age and uses of Bay Rum. So I gave it a go:

1 cup vodka
4 tsp dark rum
4 dried bay leaves
1/2 tsp Allspice
2 cinnamon quills
orange zest (optional)

Leave to infuse, strain and bottle.

I've made it up and it's in a sealed airtight jar sitting in a cool dark place. I know the bay leaves aren't exactly correct but I can't get the West Indian Bay Leaves (Pimenta Racemosa). I'm hoping this works. I can't find anyone in Auckland who stocks Bay Rum and it's almost impossible to order alcohol based colognes/aftershaves to be sent from overseas.

I'll update this thread with my impressions of the product.

Please report your results. I have been interested making some Bay Rum. But as you have said the West Indian Bay leaves are hard to come by. It is even hard to find essential oil of the leaves.

 

[RF1963]

It is even hard to find essential oil of the leaves.

After my original post I found this website with Essential Oil of Pimenta Racemosa http://www.mountainroseherbs.com/aroma/a-b.html

 

[Tekka]

Four or five months ago I threw a bunch of ingredients together to start making a bay rum aftershave. I planned to try it after letting it sit in it's jar for a few weeks, but I never got around to it.

Since then it's been sitting it's in jar, getting darker and looking more and more intense. I've only opened the jar a few times to smell it. It's smell has been quite different each time I've opened up the jar. The first time, it reeked of rum. The second, it reeked of citrus and cinnamon. This most recent time, it's smelled like unlike anything I've ever taken a wiff of. It's definitely aged and changed quite a bit. I'd filter it out and put it into an empty aftershave bottle of mine to start using, but I think I'm going to let it sit and age for a few more months. I think it'll end up smelling better this way.

 

[RF1963]

Four or five months ago I threw a bunch of ingredients together to start making a bay rum aftershave. I planned to try it after letting it sit in it's jar for a few weeks, but I never got around to it.

Since then it's been sitting it's in jar, getting darker and looking more and more intense. I've only opened the jar a few times to smell it. It's smell has been quite different each time I've opened up the jar. The first time, it reeked of rum. The second, it reeked of citrus and cinnamon. This most recent time, it's smelled like unlike anything I've ever taken a wiff of. It's definitely aged and changed quite a bit. I'd filter it out and put it into an empty aftershave bottle of mine to start using, but I think I'm going to let it sit and age for a few more months. I think it'll end up smelling better this way.

Even over the three days I've noticed a change in appearance and aroma. It's a little darker and where it was first quite citrus in aroma now it's got a darker spicier smell. I'm thinking of leaving it till Christmas before I pour it out.

 

[Sydney Guy]

New Directions here in Oz also carries West Indian Bay essential oil.

 

[RF1963]

New Directions here in Oz also carries West Indian Bay essential oil.

Good to know, thanks!

 

[Tekka]

Even over the three days I've noticed a change in appearance and aroma. It's a little darker and where it was first quite citrus in aroma now it's got a darker spicier smell. I'm thinking of leaving it till Christmas before I pour it out.

That's probably the best course of action. It'll allow significantly more essential oils to seep out of the spices and herbs.