Bay Rum Aftershave Recipe (2024)

Not sure the man in your life will appreciate a coffee mug cozy, mint chocolate body butter, or lotion bars? Well then, how aboutsugar cookie body scrub?

Nooooo? Okay then [rummages] I’ve got to have something around here. Ahhh, here it is! Clean and woodsy with spicy notes and a hint of citrus, this bay rum aftershave recipe is as manly as it gets.

Legend has it that West Indie bay leaves (pimenta racemoca) made their worldwide debutin the 16th century. Apparently, sailors began rubbing them on their bodies to mask their odor on long voyages, then realized infusingthe leaves in rum made application easier. The rest, as they say, is history. The sailors carried the scent around the world, adding in citrus peels, spices and other ingredients to enhance the fragrance.

This version – which features black peppercorns, cinnamon sticks and a hint of citrus– will put hair on your chest. Just something to keep in mind if you’re considering using it for yourself.

How To Find Non-GMO Rum For This Recipe

Rumis traditionally madefrom sugarcane, but unfortunatelysome companies have started cutting cornersby makingit from GMO-derived high fructose corn syrup. (Ugh!) Since I’m not much of a rum connoisseur, I looked at my local shop for an affordable non-GMO version.

After emailing back and forth with Appleton Estate, a Jamaican-made rum, I was able to verify that they do not use any corn syrup or GMO bacteria during the fermentation process. They have a sugarcane plantation next to their distillery that you can tour if you get the chance, and their rum is actually pretty delicious.

My husband loves it in this hot buttered rum, only with twice the amount of butter and half the rum.

I’m sure there are other great options, including some organic ones, but I’m now a fan of Appleton Estate.

Sourcing West Indies Bay Leaf

Because the West Indies bay leaf – which is not at all like the bay leaves in your pantry – can be difficult to find, I’veopted to use the more readily available essential oil in this recipe. I think you’ll find the warm, exotic undertones remind you of white sands and salty breezes.

Free Printable Labels

If you want to give this as a gift,I’ve included some printable labels you can use for your bottles. Here are the labels I used, and here’s the template. Select 4×6 as your paper dimensions when you print.

Bay Rum Aftershave/Cologne Recipe

Ingredients

• 8 oz. vodka or witch hazel
• 8 oz. jamaican spicedrum
• 20-40 drops bay west indies essential oil*
• 1/4 teaspoon allspice (where to buy organic allspice)
• 1 stick of cinnamon (where to buy organic cinnamon sticks)
• 3 dried whole cloves (where to buy organic whole cloves)
• zest ofone orange or two limes, preferably organic
• 1/4 teaspoon whole black peppercorns (where to buy organic black peppercorns)
• 1 teaspoon glycerin (optional – where to buy non-GMO glycerin)
• ¼-½ teaspoon vanilla extract (optional – where to buy vanilla extract, how to make homemade vanilla extract)

* At this I am foregoing specific recommendations regarding essential oil companies. However, this particular oil is not carried by most companies and you may have difficulty finding it. If your favorite oil company does not carry it, you may try Mountain Rose Herbs.

Equipment

• Lemon zester (optional but recommended – here’s the one I use)
• Brown kraft labels (optional – I used these)
• Two 8 oz. decorative bottles (optional)

Instructions

Note: If you’re in a rush to make this and don’t have West Indies essential oil on hand, mix everything else together and let it steep while you order the oil. When the oil arrives just add it in. It won’t affect the final scent to add it later.

1. Wash and dry your orange/limes.

2. Using a vegetable peeler or lemon zester, remove the outer skin of the fruit. Make sure not to peel off the bitter white pith, just the outside will do.

3. Place peels in a jar and cover withthe vodka/witch hazel and rum.

4. Add bay west indies essential oil, allspice, cinnamon, cloves and peppercorns. Add optional glycerin if desired.

5. Shake thoroughly and place in a dark cabinet for fourweeks. Shake every few days for the first week, then occasionally after that.

6. At the end of four weeks, pour a splash of aftershave on your wrist and see how you like it. If you want it to be stronger, give it a couple more weeks to steep. If you’d like it sweeter, add ¼-½ teaspoon vanilla extract. When you’re satisfied with it, strain out the peel and spices and pourthe aftershaveinto a clean jar.

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