Florida Water

Florida Water is an American version of the venerable Eau de Cologne, or Cologne Water. It has the same citrus basis as Cologne Water, but shifts the emphasis to sweet orange (rather than the lemon and neroli of the original Cologne Water), and adds spicy notes including lavender and clove [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=VNEAAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA280 American Druggist and Pharmaceutical Record] - 1902, page 280] . The name probably does not refer to the U.S. state of Florida, but rather to the "flowery" nature of the scent.

According to the current trademark holders, Lanman & Kemp Barclay [ [http://www.lanman-and-kemp.com/history.htm Lanman & Kemp-Barclay & Co., Inc. - History section] ] , Florida Water was introduced by the New York City perfumer (and founder of the original company) Robert Murray, in 1808. The company states that their product, now sold under the Murray & Lanman brand, still uses the original 1808 formula, and that the current label is also a slightly modified version of the 1808 original.

"Florida Water" 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 [ [http://books.google.com/books?id=7dYTAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA354 The Woman's Book, Vol 2, various authors] - 1894, page 354 ] . Large quantities were also used by barbershops as cologne and aftershave. In the 1880s and 1890s Murray & Lanman Florida Water was advertised as "The Richest of all Perfumes" and "The most Popular Perfume in the World" [Murray & Lanman trade cards, various dates] .

Like other colognes of the era, Florida Water was valued for its refreshing and tonic nature as well as its scent, and could be used as a skin toner or as what we would now call a "body splash". It was also used as a toilet water (eau de toilette), by adding it to the bath or wash-water.

Although now obscure to most of the general American population, Florida Water remained popular among South American and Caribbean cultures and was incorporated into magical and ritual traditions including hoodoo [ [http://www.luckymojo.com/floridakanangawater.html FLORIDA WATER and KANANGA WATER] by Catherine Yronwode ] .

Florida Water is also great for hot days. Fill an Igloo Playmate full of ice and water and pour only a couple of ounces of Florida Water in the Igloo. Soak a towel in it and then wipe your face and neck off. It rejuvinates you much more than just plain ice water.

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