Cooling Mint Body Spray
By Cait Johnson, author of Witch in the Kitchen (Inner Traditions,
2001).

We are suffering through a heat wave in many parts of the country,
including New York State where I live. Figuring we could all use a
little cooling relief, I came up with this easy all-natural formula
with a fresh, invigorating fragrance and a nice cooling effect.

It turns out that making your own body spray is really easy! Mint is
a traditional cooler, and lemon adds some uplifting zing. You can
keep it in the fridge for an extra blast of minty refreshment. It
makes a great gift, too. Here's the easy formula:

1 cup vodka
Peel from 1 organic lemon
1/2 cup fresh mint leaves, shredded

1. Place all ingredients in a lidded jar and shake well. Allow to
macerate for at least 3 days, shaking daily, then strain out solids
and discard.

2. Place cologne in a spray bottle and use whenever you need a
refreshing spritz.

LOL I got some mint that if ya do this, leave out the lemon, yuo go around smeelling like york peppermint patty, but cool and refreshed, all day, lol. (chocolate mint!)
NOTE: Do not plant mint in an unguarded, contained, extrremely well, space, unless you really like mint, cause no mattter how hard ya try, it will return!!!  

Why do you use vodka? Is there something else you can use in place of it? I try not to have alcoholic beverages in the house, due to the fact that if my son were to get a hold of it it could kill him.

— Icymoon wrote

Why do you use vodka? Is there something else you can use in place of it? I try not to have alcoholic beverages in the house, due to the fact that if my son were to get a hold of it it could kill him.

Icymoon, you could use Witch Hazel if you desired.

Thank you, I'll have to try it!

oooh! i bet you could mix up a special blend of herbs and make your own "signature" perfume spray! i think i might have to try that....
i also am searching the forums for a recipe for essential oils, i want to make one for me for fall that is remeniscient of burning leaves....real musky, but warm...fall is one of my fav seasons! i just would rather make my own instead of buying a premade....ahhh....crafts make me happy, lol

I find that patchouli has a nice musky, earth smell, but not of burning leaves.  And if you do use patchouli leaves, drying them first works better.

do you use a full cup of distilled witch hazel in place of the vodka?
would isopropyl alcohol work as a substitute too?

currently have this "macerating" for a friend stationed in iraq...i used witch hazel, i'll let you know reviews if the product happens to make it to its destination (barring mail inspections, of course)

— RealEyez_the_Phoenix wrote

do you use a full cup of distilled witch hazel in place of the vodka?
would isopropyl alcohol work as a substitute too?

isopropyl alcohol will not work in fact it could be dangerous

Hummm, I wonder how it would turn out if I used Lemon Vodka?