Got a jar of dried rose petals and not sure what to do with them beyond tea? Here are four easy recipes and DIYs, two to drink or eat and two for self-care, all made with food-grade dried rose petals. For background on the petals themselves, see our full guide to the uses and benefits of dried rose petals.

One rule for everything below: only use petals sold as food-grade and pesticide-free. Florist and garden roses are often sprayed and aren't processed as food.

Rose Coconut Water Cooler

A light, pale-pink drink for hot afternoons. The rose gives it a gentle floral note without overpowering the coconut water.

Ingredients

• 1 teaspoon dried rose petals
• 2 tablespoons hot water
• 1 cup chilled coconut water
• A few fresh mint leaves
• A squeeze of lemon
• Honey to taste (optional)
• Ice

Method

1. Steep the rose petals in the hot water for 5 minutes, then strain and let the rose infusion cool.
2. Lightly crush the mint leaves in the bottom of a glass.
3. Add ice, the rose infusion, coconut water and lemon.
4. Stir, taste, and add honey if you like it sweeter.
5. Garnish with a few whole rose petals.

Homemade Rose Water

Simple rose water for desserts, drinks and as a facial spritz. This is an infused rose water, not a distilled one, so it's lighter and keeps for a shorter time.

Ingredients

• ¼ cup dried rose petals
• 1½ cups distilled or filtered water

Method

1. Add the petals and water to a pan and cover with a lid.
2. Simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes, until the petals have lost most of their colour.
3. Turn off the heat and let it cool completely with the lid on, so the fragrance stays in.
4. Strain into a clean glass bottle.
5. Store in the fridge and use within about a week.

Use it in kheer, lassi, lemonade or baking, or pour some into a spray bottle as a face mist. If using it on skin, patch-test first.

Rose Sugar

Fragrant sugar that takes two minutes to make and lasts for weeks. Sprinkle it on cookies, rim a mocktail glass with it, or stir it into tea.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sugar
• 2 tablespoons dried rose petals

Method

1. Crush the petals lightly with your fingers, or pulse them briefly with the sugar in a blender.
2. Mix the petals and sugar together in a clean and dry jar.
3. Seal and leave for about a week, shaking now and then, so the sugar takes on the rose fragrance.
4. Store airtight in a cool and dry place.

For a smoother finish in baking, use rose powder instead of whole petals.

Rose Bath Soak

A fragrant soak for a slow evening. Bagging the petals keeps them from clogging the drain.

Ingredients

• 1 cup Epsom salt
• ½ cup coarse sea salt or rock salt
• ¼ cup dried rose petals
• A muslin bag or cloth tied with string

Method

1. Mix the salts and rose petals in a bowl.
2. Store the mix in an airtight jar until you need it.
3. For each bath, fill the muslin bag with a few spoonfuls of the mix and tie it shut.
4. Hang it under the running tap or drop it in the bath water.

Patch-test first if you have sensitive skin, and skip it on broken skin. Rose also pairs well with lavender buds in a bath blend.

Tips for Using Dried Rose Petals

• Go easy. Drying concentrates rose flavour, and too much can taste soapy.
• Keep them dry. Always use a dry spoon, and store petals airtight, away from light and moisture.
• Pick the right form. Whole petals suit drinks, rose water and bath soaks; rose powder blends more smoothly into baking and face masks; rose tea cuts are cut for easy steeping.

Frequently Asked Questions

What can I do with dried rose petals?
Brew them as tea, make rose water, flavour sugar and desserts, add them to drinks, or use them in bath soaks and potpourri.

Can you use any rose petals for these recipes?
No. Only use food-grade, pesticide-free petals. Florist and garden roses are often sprayed and aren't processed as food.

How long does homemade rose water last?
Infused rose water keeps for about a week in the fridge. Throw it out if it turns cloudy or smells off.

Is homemade rose water the same as shop-bought?
Not quite. Most commercial rose water is distilled, which makes it clearer and longer-lasting. Infused rose water is simpler to make at home but has a shorter shelf life.

Can I eat dried rose petals?
Yes, food-grade dried rose petals are edible and are used in desserts, sugars and drinks.

Can I use rose powder instead of petals?
Yes, in rose sugar and baking. For drinks, rose water and bath soaks, whole petals are easier to strain out.

Choosing Quality Dried Rose Petals

• Food-grade sourcing — grown and processed for consumption, not decoration
• Strong natural fragrance — a faint or musty smell usually means age or poor storage
• Good colour — faded or browned petals suggest poor storage
• Protective packaging — sealed against moisture and light

A D Food & Herbs supplies food-grade dried rose petals sourced from Pushkar farmers, along with rose powder and rose tea cuts.

Get Dried Rose Petals for Your Next DIY

• Shop Dried Rose Petals
• Explore Dried Flowers Collection
• Contact Us for Bulk Requirements

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