Florida Water

In the bottle I get - lemon lime soda, lavender, lemon-heads candy, medicinally herbal, basil On my skin - 10 seconds in - Still getting the lemon heads and medicinal/herbal, basil. Very slight hint of lavender. 30 seconds - brown sugar and clove becomes apparent on top of the before-mentioned (likely where some get the "cola" scent, but it's not very cola to me) 3 minutes - Mandarin orange, honey, and the basil is getting stronger. 5 minutes - Nutmeg, cardamom, medicinal/herbal stronger now - Sillage is at an arms length (co-worker tested lol) Ok, skipping ahead now - 20 minutes - I'm still smelling everything surprisingly, very linear, all together now. What does stand out is the lemon/lime/orange/medicinal/herbal with a hint of clove and seems to be the most prominent during the entire experience. I would definitely classify this as a bright citrus spice with medicinal herbal notes. I am very surprised that the sillage is still at an arms length at this point. I expected it to be mostly gone by now and be a very close-to-skin scent. 45 minutes - OMG it's still here. I'm in love. I keep smelling my hands. 1 hour - Bergamot, clove, and basil. Divine af. Skipping ahead - I can't believe this, but that one splash on hands, wrists, around my neck and the excess in my hair lasted for 3 hours before reapplication. When I stepped outside I had an aura of berg/clove/basil still though light. Sillage now is much lighter but still very apparent when I go outside or walk by the ac or fan. My co-worker just ordered a bottle after being a spectator of all of this and smelling it through the office wherever I walked. Sillage - 7/10 Longevity (for an EDC splash) - 8/10 Totally unisex. Sexy, fresh, clean, uplifting, bright, happy. Can definitely see why this is used spiritually so often for cleansing. I love it and this is my personal Summer favorite. It's not the strongest or the longest lasting, but is very charming for that and at this value, reapply all day without the 10 spritz-guilt.

Uplifting, refreshing, fresh, and clean. Smells amazing, like aftershave used by an old era barbershop with a slightly antiseptic smell from the lavender. The thing I love most about Murray & Lanman Florida Water is how natural and fresh it smells. I swear, this stuff must be like catnip to men, because I bought a bunch of bottles up at bottom barrel prices on clearance a long time ago, and each one was systematically taken from me by each boyfriend that I’ve had. Even though I think it smells incredible, I do prefer the smell on men rather that myself despite its unisex status, so I never actually protested its appropriation. You can smell it from a couple feet away, but it’s not overpowering which makes it perfect for blistering summer heat where a lot of other fragrances could prove nauseating. I was a bit surprised at how few accolades this cologne got from Fragrantican reviewers since it’s been around for over 200 hundred years, but I suppose I’m just happy that Landman & Kemp are still manufacturing this gem after all this time. First and foremost this scent is composed of mouth wateringly zesty lemon, combined with the sweetness of orange, with a splash of lavender added which lightly grounds the citrus notes with a wonderful herbal/floral, vaguely powdery spice. Lastly a wisp of clove is added so sparingly that, unless you were looking for it specifically, you’d undoubtedly be oblivious to its presence, which modestly serves as another grounding aspect for the citrus, and dances together with the lavender accentuating its herbal jaggedness.

I purchased this when I forgot to pack a fragrance or 2 for a family beach vacation in the southeastern US. Rather than buy a bottle of Stetson or Eternity from the drugstore that I’d pay $15 for and never wear again, I decided to give this a try. Paid $4 for 7oz. Opens with sweet lemon candy and bergamot notes, along with mint, to my nose. I understand why some people get cleaning solution vibes, but for me it’s not overwhelming. As it dries down I get a lot of clove and cinnamon with the citrus fading into the background. The floral notes start to come through after about 10-15 minutes, but not so much that feels ultra feminine by any means. Cinnamon and clove hang on throughout. It’s a skin scent after about an hour, and that’s after being applied very liberally — to me, that’s what you want out of a hot weather fragrance. This is certainly unisex, maybe even more masculine to my nose. This cologne is a part of fragrance history and I’m really glad I tried it out. It’s not something I’d reach for regularly, but it’s also more functional than most modern fragrances. It is extremely light on the skin, and definitely produces a cooling effect when splashed on the neck and wrists on a hot day - and that’s how you want to apply it. Splash it on like your dad’s aftershave. For $4 this is a no brainer.

While staying overnight at my grandmother's house as children, we slept and played in the Blue Room. Much like the rest of the house, the Blue Room was filled with trinkets and baubles of a past that seemed quite distant to my young eyes. There were heavy blue brocade curtains we eventually used to make Halloween costumes. Against the wall stood, a dusty armoire filled with frilly nightgowns and old prom dresses for all of our princess dress-up needs. My cousins and I spent many nights in the creaky brass bed, giggling & whispering ghost stories until granny came upstairs to shush us. Of all the memories in that room, the most important to this review is an old shelf that hung on the wall above the bed. It was filled with the most beautiful bottles of forgotten perfume and cologne. Half full and sticky with perfume oils, the blended scent from those bottles is stamped into my mind. Florida Water reminds me of that shelf in the best possible way. I adore this scent and only wish that it lasted longer. Somebody should work on that for me. :D

I use this all the time in my spiritual practice to cleanse a space and reset the energy. I have a scent association with this now: I use it to take back my brain from anxiety and protect from negativity. To me it's a gorgeous aromatic citrus fragrance that is super high in alcohol. I have used it before as the base for other fragrant oils, and I include a few drops in my essential oil diffuser from time to time. I've also used it as an accelerant when lighting spiritual fires. On a non-spiritual note: I particularly enjoy the soap, and it's the only thing that cleans my makeup brushes adequately! I used to think this had no sillage or longevity, until I wore it out once, and a woman two seats over from me at a concert complemented my perfume, and asked what it was. Living in the SOUTH, I wasn't about to be fully honest with a stranger about my spiritual practice...so I just said, "Oh it's something I whipped up in the kitchen with some essential oils..." She was very disappointed I couldn't direct her where to buy it. LOL

@ aura-therapy: I wouldn't let that bother you too much... Cultures from all over the world use scent for rituals, generally to convey a notion of cleanliness and focus... Christianity has used incense for these reasons at least as far back as the Byzantine era (circa 300 CE/AD), and there is little doubt that these practices were directly adopted from pagan practices in the Mediterranean and fertile crescent regions. likewise, the pyxides found in Persian paces often contained resinous perfume. Lemon and citrus notes, because of their acidity, have been associated with hygiene in the preparation of food and drink for centuries. Hoodoo ceremonies using Florida Water probably picked up the idea from Voudon (voodoo), which would have been just as likely to have adapted such practices from French Catholicism as from African Shamanism. I cannot imagine why, in any case, one would feel prejudicial against a scent just because of a religious practice born out of the culture of those who survived slavery, but to each their own.

Love, love, love Florida Water. I was so happy to find it being sold in Walgreens during the holiday season. This is so cheap but it does not smell cheap at all. The composition is perfectly done, sweet citrus, musks, florals, gentle and sparkling and uplifting. It's soo zesty, really like citrus peels and juice and goodness. Sure, it doesn't last long, but that's not the point. It actually lasts at least like 2 hours for me after I splash it on, and honestly, that's all I need from it. I was bathing in this during the summer, it made me feel soo much less like a stinky pig and more like a refreshed, clean, elegant Southern Belle. I always think of Scarlett rinsing her mouth out with this in Gone With the Wind (or something like this) and probably liberally using this to survive hot humid summers in Georgia. It's perfect for that, love it. Makes your room and closet smell great, too!

A quarantine test buy for me. I've wanted this for a while especially since it's so cheap. It's not a super strong performing scent but it did last longer than I expected according to the reviews. My sister said it reminded her of Sedona, AZ, which honestly makes sense. Sedona is known for its crystal vortexes, many of the crystal shops in town sell incense and herbal remedies. It wouldn't surprise me if some of the people there also used this cologne the same way spiritualists and witches have been for decades. I definitely get the Haribo Happy Cola vibe, to me it smells like a coke with lemon. Room temperature more of the spicy clove comes out and cooled in the fridge it's more bright sparkling citrus. The first day I tried it I was wearing Britney Spears Fantasy, and let me tell you Florida Water is lovely layered on top.

I must defend Florida Water! First of all, it banishes evil spirits. But it also puts me in good spirits....I find it refreshing and tonic. It is, of course, citrus and spices in a splash, often used for cleansing, bug bites, sticky skin in warm weather.... But I love its initial light citrus and pleasant spicy dry down. It is light enough that I can splash a little on before I go to the grocery store without worrying about giving my checker a headache. At same time I feel clean and can pick up a faint reminder of the scents I like myself. There is no cloying sweetness, no vanilla, no amber, no musk, no chemical "fresh smell"...just a fresh whiff of citrus and spice. I can buy a bottle for under five dollars...(the bottle and label charm me and sit on my bathroom sink).

This is as essential in the oppressive heat and humidity of Florida summers as sweet tea and shade trees. Florida Water absolutely captures the essence and nature of Florida and the West Indies in a bottle. Brisk lime and citrusy-floral neroli combine with licorice-like verbena and Jamaican pimento allspice to create a clean, refreshing Caribbean elixir that smells familiar, comforting, and fresh. I always have a refrigerated bottle for a pick-me-up on those sweltering, slow-moving July and August afternoons. It works miracles when poured generously over a wet towel and wrapped around your neck or draped over your head. It's a must have that I can't do without. Grab a bottle for the hottest days of the year ...you'll be glad you did!

Effervescent, historical, and utterly calming. I use this less as a a perfume and more as a day to day palate cleaner. A fresh, crisp splash to uplift my spirits and clear the space around me. Sometimes I feel like certain batches are more neroli forward, however the scent of Florida Water to me is always a wet orange blossom with cinnamon and fresh aromatics. I keep a splash bottle at my desk at work, and a spray bottle at home and while I travel. This works great as a toner (or even hand sanitizer) in a pinch, and it evokes so many beautiful memories for me! I’ve used it for over a decade and it truly is one of the most calming and refreshing aromas.

i use this in my spiritual practices, a lil' bit when mopping/shampooing carpets, on bug bites, after showers... there's a reason florida water is such a staple lol. beauuutiful layering potential with other tropical scents or even warm, cozier, and even spicy scents. citrus reminiscent of loose leaf earl gray... orange blossoms in bloom over head... feels like you're being handed limonade on a warm summer day. if there's any criticism, its that the smell doesn't last particularly long and its not super punch you in the face noticable, but that's kind of the point when i use the product as versatile-y as i do.

Florida water is a gorgeous spicy, fruity, and clean scent. Additionally, this fragrance has a wonderful spiritual background. In the African American practice of Hoodoo, slaves would use whatever they could find to practice their homely religons. Florida water was used for cleansing the spirit, along with psalms. I believe many barbers use it as well. My best friend adores this fragrance on me. I like it because its clean and makes me feel good. You can use it sparingly in laundry, as a pillow mist, etc. Everybody needs to experience this historic fragrance at least once!

I cannot describe exactly what it smells like; it almost reminds me of a fresher/greener cola? Unfortunately, it can be pretty weak/short lasting and there really isn't anything comparable with better sillage/stay powder. I have found that transferring the liquid into a separate spritzer/spray bottle greatly increases the longevity, especially if sprayed on clothes or hair ( I will spray it in the morning even on a hot day and I can stil smell it on myself at the end of the day). Doesn't feel masculine to me at all, true unisex if not a little feminine.

I'm a southerner. Our summers are cloyingly, oppressively hot. It's the only thing I will often to choose to wear on such days. Florida Water can cut through that heavy curtain of mascara-melting humidity like no other. Orange over medicinal lavender spiced ever so slightly with cloves. It's an old scent, an heirloom scent. It isn't fancy; it isn't high-end. It's a porch-sitting, sweet tea-sipping scent. And it's incredibly economical and versatile. I use it in mop water on my kitchen and bathroom floors, just for the clean scent. Truly a staple.

Smells similar to Outremer Cola. It does remind you of a soda drink in many ways. You will need to use more than usual. As citrus scents are not that bold on their own. Overspray it. It isn't that expensive at all. I put them in empty cologne glass bottles so I can spray it. As it came in a splash bottle. When budget dictates alot then try this. Want the polar opposite of this scent but still low cost? Bogart One Man Show Oud Edition. Less than $20. That is a synthetic Oud leather scent. Also try Outremer Cola. It too is not expensive

I use this for spiritual purposes as well as fragrance. it isn't a powerhouse by any means but that's not what it was created for. it's a beautiful aromatic fresh burst - cleansing and uplifting, whilst still very grounding and warm. I adore the smell, and I adore it as a spiritual tool for cleansing stagnant energies, as part of rituals and everything in between. the history of this cologne is so fascinating too if you're into researching this kinda stuff :))) 15/10 will never not have a bottle in my possession!

I discovered this scent this past summer and I will continue to buy this for the summer months. I live in Georgia so the summers here are rough ya'll! You need a 24 oz+ water bottle to stay hydrated and this is just to run errands. I love this! It's so light and fresh. I definitely smell orange blossom and cinnamon in this. My only complaint is that it doesn't last long at all. You have to keep reapplying it. All in all this scent is so wonderful. Amazon sells the soap as well so I think I'm going to try it.

I love this scent. Refreshing, sweet citrus and herbal notes that remind me of Happy Cola candy. Sillage is low, but I think that adds to its utility–in addition to splashing it on in the morning, I pour a little into the bath, or run it under the tap when I'm handwashing clothes. For a two hundred-year-old cologne, it doesn't seem dated at all, just a fresh, classic fragrance that smells good on everyone. I can't imagine ever getting sick of it.

A cologne without the thin lemon edge I hate - a miracle. Like other reviewers, in summer I keep this in the fridge for a quick spritz to cool myself down and carry a small spray bottle in my bag. It's good for winter too, as the clove keeps it from being too chilling. It's cheap enough to use as an air freshener, with a fresh orange-clove scent, which ruthlessly eliminates all other smells and then disappears within five minutes. Brilliant.

LOVE florida water....the citrus and clove combo is energizing, refreshing and crisp. Just the thing on hot summer days...pull it from the freezer and spray all over. Inexpensive and only lasts about 1/2 hour at a time so have to reapply often but it's a go-to cologne if you can't afford Guerlain. In response to aura, what the heck and so what? If you don't use it for those purposes, why do you care? Sorry, dumbest thing I've ever heard...

I discovered Florida Water while looking to see what the oldest perfumes still in production were. I assume it's been reformulated since the 1800s (although I suppose people's tastes would've changed as well now that we all have access to running water and indoor plumbing) but this is not something I would want to wear. It does work as an air freshener scent and it's super cheap, so there's that.

It gets a lot of flack for the poor performance, but honestly, I get a good three or so hours. Not a bad classy fragrance, especially if you live in a southern, tropical climate like Florida. Although it is so citrusy that it even smells similar to bug spray. Personally the warm spices more than make up for the strong citrus opening. Overall, 5/10 for me, but that's not bad. It's just average! :)

Love this timeless simple refreshing beauty! Spicey delicately floral and smells completely natural. I use it as a cologne to freshen up or uplift my mood in the horrible heat. I also love knowing the history and its ritual use, wonderful! A must try and highly recommend to those who love cinnamon style spicy fragrances and a good alternative to 4711, for something different.

Smells like babies. I'm only saying this because it's used as a baby cologne in my family for a few generation (and we're probably not the only one because you can find it besides other baby products in drugstores in my area). To me it's a safe comforting scent that doesn't last long, but for the price you can have the pleasure to reapply this as much as you want.

Fantastic citrus, spicy splash on fragrance after a nice shower & shave. Very calming and real relaxing feel good cologne. Short lived but it’s dirt cheap and one can find this stuff in any bodega in the Northeast Tri-State area or Botanical spot and just simply splash it on to once content. Superb in value and awesome trip down memory lane for those that know....

Briefly: lovely, old-world, astringent, burning, sparkling, spiky, analgesic, bitter-bracing and subtly warming. It will always remind me of Hearst Castle in the summer fog. Layers nicely through the initial syrup of the oakmoss cushion concoction that is Pinaud Clubman (+ all that along the jaw along before a spray or three of Eau Sauvage...)

I love this, it's so uplifting. The opening is a lemon hot -towel, like the kind you get after a meal at an Indian restaurant. Then the cinnamon and clove (mostly cinnamon) comes through. The citrus and spice combine to make the most wonderful fizzy Coca-Cola. It's a joy and lasts a good few hours on me. ♥️

Lavender, citrus, cloves, etc, etc...it's kinda soapy, kinda spicy, and very clean. This scent reminds me of barbershops and botanicas. It's perfect to use as a pick-me-up or a freshen-up. On me, it lasts surprisingly long and I get a lot of compliments when I wear it. This is an essential.

Smells incredible. So far, this is MY scent. I bought a 3 pack bottle set for wicked cheap on amazon. I go through Florida Water like my life depends on it. I love Florida Water!!! This cologne is perfect for the summer time, maybe around afternoon. Just has such a nice summery vibe.

One of the greatest inexpensive fragrances of all time, and one of the oldest still in production. It smells like oranges and cloves and a little cardamom, but it's not very strong (as is the case with most very old fragrances). It's so refreshing--the perfect thing for a hot day.

yummy, cheap, and nostalgic. sillage is not good but it’s inexpensive enough to douse my pulse points in it and sniff myself every so often to get a hit of floral cinnamon-citrus. i’ve honestly grown to enjoy the subtlety of it, and again, the scent is addictive.

Smell reminds me of the saccharine smells of old ladies at church, it's warm, spicy and sweet as sugar. It lingers on my skin for hours on hours even with sweat but that might just be it's reaction with my omega pheromones idk. I really like it, its my go to.

Every summer I purchase a few bottles of Florida Water for each of the 4 bathrooms in my house. My wife, kids and guests love to splash themselves on hot summer mornings in July and August. It's a scent everyone loves despite it's 10 minute longevity.

I use this Florida Water much the same way I use 4711. It’s a hot weather refresher. I pour it into the palm of my hand, and splash away. It not a powerful scent, but if it were, I couldn’t splash it on; therefore, I wouldn’t use it at all.

After-shower classic made for balmy climates. Bay rum, Caribbean vibes. Still holds up after the years. Citrus/Lavender/Spice with white flowers at an unbeatable price. Respect Florida Water.

this is probably first perfectly unisex fragrance ive found.. picked it up at my local latin grocer today and its like what i imagine the word “iridescence” to smell like in a bottle.

A really nice citrus spicy cologne that is inexpensive. This perfume has quite a history and is used nowadays as much in house and energy clearing as to refresh during the summer.

I've been wearing this all summer and I really enjoy it! Extremely weak performance (4711 lasts even longer), but IDGAF. It's cheap enough to apply multiple times a day. Enjoy.

the perfume that got me into fragrance. i love citrus, and i often find myself wishing florida came in a stronger concentration. i could wear it as perfume all day long.

I wish wish wish this had longevity. I adore this fragrance. It instantly lifts my spirits. I love putting it in my bath and using as a hair rinse diluted with water.

Aw, yeah! Takes me right back to my big bruja days. It was a love gift to me from my best witchy friend. Or vice versa, I can't remember. Respect!!

Used in hoodoo magic divination stuff for clearing out evil spirits. Classic old EDC smell like citrus and clove maybe some mint or rosemary

fresh, spicy, soapy. will lift your spirits in a spritz. love adding it to my laundry. i sleep better with linens laundered in it.

Very poor performing but good smell, despite the alcoholic scent, beyond spiritual uses, this is a good aftershave.

If i could pick one scent for the rest of my life - to bathe myself, my home, my loved ones in. This would be it.

I pour into a spray bottle & put in the fridge for a quick cool mist on summer's. Most brutal days!!! Sheesh!!

I bought it recently during my vacation up in Santa Cruz and layering this with Pansy by Lush is so divine.

Absolutely love this fragrance such a little gem juicy, fizzy, and citrus amazing for hot weather!

i love love loveee the bergamot. super nice cologne and bonus, super spiritually cleansing