Alcohol-based perfumes never sounded attractive to me. I always thought using them would make me smell like I just came from the bar, which is generally not the vibe I am going for. This aversion persisted until I discovered tonka beans (Dipteryx odorata) and learned that alcohol extraction is the best way to bring out their dreamy aroma! Tonka beans are an excellent alternative to vanilla beans in aromatherapy creations and are roughly five times less expensive than vanilla, so you can save your true vanilla for cooking and use tonka beans to get those highly coveted notes for perfumery.
While the most recognizable aromatic comparison is vanilla, tonka beans have other warm and comforting undertones of tobacco, pistachio, and musk. It makes a truly delightful ingredient to work with.
How to Use Tonka Beans in Perfumery
Despite several online sources, I had no luck infusing the beans in oil. I tried the heat method, crushing the beans before extraction, long infusion times, and a combination of all of those, and the aroma was weak and lackluster. I decided to try infusing them into grain alcohol and finally got the results I was looking for. I decided that, since the scent was already so wonderful on its own, I would put my alcohol-based perfume bias aside and put together a sultry blend. I finally landed on a simple three-ingredient blend that featured two of my very favorite essential oils: vetiver and sandalwood.
How to Make Tonka Bean Perfume Base
Ingredients
- 20 organic tonka beans
- 1 cup 190-proof organic grain alcohol
Directions
- Add tonka beans and alcohol to a glass jar.
- Use a plastic lid, or place parchment between a canning jar lid and the jar.
- Shake well and put in a cool, dark place.
- Leave for a minimum of 3 weeks, shaking once per week.
- Strain when ready to use.
Warm & Sultry Perfume Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 oz. tonka bean perfume base (see above)
- 22 drops organic vetiver essential oil
- 9 drops Australian sandalwood essential oil
Directions
- Add all ingredients to a 1 oz. amber or cobalt bottle with mister top and shake well to incorporate.
- Label and enjoy!
Pro Tips
- The alcohol base acts as a solubilizer, so you’ll notice that the essential oils don’t float on the top like water-based perfumes.
- Out of the bottle, you will smell the alcohol, but this does dissipate within a few seconds.
- The perfume will be brownish in color, so I don’t recommend using it directly on clothes, especially light-colored cloth. In my experience, the color does not rub from your skin to your clothes.
- It’s important to note that tonka beans contain coumarin, which is responsible for its dreamy aroma, but also what makes it unsuitable for internal use.
- Since sandalwood is a very precious essential oil and is a bit pricey, you can omit it. But if you can swing it, it's highly recommended to include it.
Want to Learn More About Custom Fragrances?
Learn How to Use Essential Oils For Perfume Blending
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