The Best Neroli Fragrances Bring Out Summer All Year Long
ShoppingWe break down the best neroli fragrances on the market, from Chanel to Creed.By Adrian Clark and Jessie AtkinsonFebruary 10, 2025Save this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.Citrus is one of the world’s oldest fragrance ingredients, but it isn’t as simple as oranges and lemons in the world of perfume and cologne. In fact, a range of different citrusy scents abound in the category, each giving a unique aspect to the colognes, eau de parfums and eau de toilettes you wear. Among them: petitgrain, bergamot, and—the subject of our attention today—neroli.Neroli is perhaps the finest of the citrus oils, in our opinion, procured through steam-distilled blossoms taken from the bitter orange tree. The fragrance itself is sweet and honeyed with a slight metallic tang and blends well with any other citrus oil, making it a natural choice for unisex colognes. A much-loved fragrance ingredient, neroli joined lavender and rosemary in the first ever eau de cologne, invented at the turn of the 18th century by Johann Maria Farina. Today, it’s still a favorite of heritage, designer, and maverick fragrance brands alike, and is even rumored to be a secret ingredient in the recipe for Coca-Cola. That's why we put together this list of our picks for the best neroli fragrances on the market today.The Best Neroli Fragrances, at a Glance:The Best Spicy Neroli Fragrance: Creed Neroli Sauvage Eau de Parfum, $470The Best Fresh Neroli Fragrance: Diptyque L’Eau De Neroli Eau de Toilette, $185The Best Floral Neroli Fragrance: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Acqua Eau de Toilette, $300The Best Amber Neroli Fragrance: Le Labo Neroli 36 Eau de Parfum, $235The Best Sweet Neroli Fragrance: Byredo Sundazed Eau de Parfum, $230Creed Neroli Sauvage1/15CreedNeroli Sauvage Eau de Parfum$470 Bloomingdale'sFragrance family: Citrus, spicyConcentration: Eau de parfumMotivation: Daring and wildOlivier Creed’s goal—to celebrate that most treasured of essential oils in the perfumer’s arsenal, the blossom of the bitter orange tree—was realized when he created this 1994 classic. It has an unexpected kick (sauvage means “wild” in French) that takes it from the traditionally feminine side to the more masculine. The citrus hit in this scent comes from a combination of bergamot and grapefruit, aromatic characteristics from neroli and lemon verbena, plus a luxurious base of ambergris for a very memorable and grand entrance.Byredo Sundazed2/15Byredo Sundazed$225 NordstromFragrance family: Citrus, sweet and floralConcentration: Eau de parfumMotivation: SeductiveBen Gorham’s summer-vacation inspired scent is olfactory proof that opposites can attract, bonding citrus and sweet in an unlikely but intoxicating marriage. Nostalgic, seductive, and indulgent, it’s described as capturing the sun in a state of summer bliss. It opens with a zesty burst of mandarin and Californian lemon, before showing its softer side achieved with a saturated concentration of neroli and Arabian jasmine. It is, however, the sugar rush in its dry-down of white musks (reminiscent of cotton candy) that makes this elixir so unique and, quite frankly, special. Its split personality means it is suitable to wear from dawn to dusk, too.Diptyque L’Eau De Neroli3/15Diptyque L’Eau De Neroli$185 DiptyqueFragrance family: Herby and freshConcentration: Eau de toiletteMotivation: IndulgentDiptyque’s take on neroli is both hypnotic and familiar. Calabria at the time of the neroli harvest is the setting and the inspiration for this fragrance—a time when the scent of nearby bergamot crops, pollen, and cut green leaves combine with neroli and fill the air. Composed by master perfumer Olivier Pescheux in 2008, it sits in the citrus/aromatic olfactive family of fragrances, with effervescent top notes of tarragon, citruses, lemon, verbena, petitgrain, and bergamot. Orange blossom, Egyptian pelargonium, and neroli form its sun-soaked centre on a bed of honeyed base notes including beeswax, cedar, and white musk. A subtle and elegant crowd-pleaser.Bon Parfumeur 0024/15Bon Parfumeur002 Eau de Parfum$140 Bon Parfumeur$60 AmazonFragrance family: Amber, musky, floralConcentration: Eau de parfumMotivation: EnergizingThe freshness of neroli is married with a sophisticated musk in this fruity cologne from Paris’ Bon Parfumeur. The house is dedicated to reviving the traditional French art of perfumery, so it specializes in EDPs that inspire your own creativity. You can mastermind your own formula with different dosages of 002 Neroli, or mix and match like a master perfumer with the 28 extracts in its cologne collection. Here, 002 Neroli exhilarates with an initial burst of bergamot that ripens into a white musk base you’ll enjoy days after spritzing.Vilhelm Modest Mimosa5/15Vilhelm ParfumerieModest Mimosa Eau de Parfum$170 Vilhelm ParfumerieFragrance family: Powdery, floral muskConcentration: Eau de parfumMotivation:
All products are independently selected by our editors. If you buy something, we may earn an affiliate commission.
Citrus is one of the world’s oldest fragrance ingredients, but it isn’t as simple as oranges and lemons in the world of perfume and cologne. In fact, a range of different citrusy scents abound in the category, each giving a unique aspect to the colognes, eau de parfums and eau de toilettes you wear. Among them: petitgrain, bergamot, and—the subject of our attention today—neroli.
Neroli is perhaps the finest of the citrus oils, in our opinion, procured through steam-distilled blossoms taken from the bitter orange tree. The fragrance itself is sweet and honeyed with a slight metallic tang and blends well with any other citrus oil, making it a natural choice for unisex colognes. A much-loved fragrance ingredient, neroli joined lavender and rosemary in the first ever eau de cologne, invented at the turn of the 18th century by Johann Maria Farina. Today, it’s still a favorite of heritage, designer, and maverick fragrance brands alike, and is even rumored to be a secret ingredient in the recipe for Coca-Cola. That's why we put together this list of our picks for the best neroli fragrances on the market today.
The Best Neroli Fragrances, at a Glance:
- The Best Spicy Neroli Fragrance: Creed Neroli Sauvage Eau de Parfum, $470
- The Best Fresh Neroli Fragrance: Diptyque L’Eau De Neroli Eau de Toilette, $185
- The Best Floral Neroli Fragrance: Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Acqua Eau de Toilette, $300
- The Best Amber Neroli Fragrance: Le Labo Neroli 36 Eau de Parfum, $235
- The Best Sweet Neroli Fragrance: Byredo Sundazed Eau de Parfum, $230
Creed Neroli Sauvage
1/15Creed
Neroli Sauvage Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance family: Citrus, spicy
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Daring and wild
Olivier Creed’s goal—to celebrate that most treasured of essential oils in the perfumer’s arsenal, the blossom of the bitter orange tree—was realized when he created this 1994 classic. It has an unexpected kick (sauvage means “wild” in French) that takes it from the traditionally feminine side to the more masculine. The citrus hit in this scent comes from a combination of bergamot and grapefruit, aromatic characteristics from neroli and lemon verbena, plus a luxurious base of ambergris for a very memorable and grand entrance.
Byredo Sundazed
2/15Byredo Sundazed
- Fragrance family: Citrus, sweet and floral
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Seductive
Ben Gorham’s summer-vacation inspired scent is olfactory proof that opposites can attract, bonding citrus and sweet in an unlikely but intoxicating marriage. Nostalgic, seductive, and indulgent, it’s described as capturing the sun in a state of summer bliss. It opens with a zesty burst of mandarin and Californian lemon, before showing its softer side achieved with a saturated concentration of neroli and Arabian jasmine. It is, however, the sugar rush in its dry-down of white musks (reminiscent of cotton candy) that makes this elixir so unique and, quite frankly, special. Its split personality means it is suitable to wear from dawn to dusk, too.
Diptyque L’Eau De Neroli
3/15Diptyque L’Eau De Neroli
- Fragrance family: Herby and fresh
- Concentration: Eau de toilette
- Motivation: Indulgent
Diptyque’s take on neroli is both hypnotic and familiar. Calabria at the time of the neroli harvest is the setting and the inspiration for this fragrance—a time when the scent of nearby bergamot crops, pollen, and cut green leaves combine with neroli and fill the air. Composed by master perfumer Olivier Pescheux in 2008, it sits in the citrus/aromatic olfactive family of fragrances, with effervescent top notes of tarragon, citruses, lemon, verbena, petitgrain, and bergamot. Orange blossom, Egyptian pelargonium, and neroli form its sun-soaked centre on a bed of honeyed base notes including beeswax, cedar, and white musk. A subtle and elegant crowd-pleaser.
Bon Parfumeur 002
4/15Bon Parfumeur
002 Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance family: Amber, musky, floral
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Energizing
The freshness of neroli is married with a sophisticated musk in this fruity cologne from Paris’ Bon Parfumeur. The house is dedicated to reviving the traditional French art of perfumery, so it specializes in EDPs that inspire your own creativity. You can mastermind your own formula with different dosages of 002 Neroli, or mix and match like a master perfumer with the 28 extracts in its cologne collection. Here, 002 Neroli exhilarates with an initial burst of bergamot that ripens into a white musk base you’ll enjoy days after spritzing.
Vilhelm Modest Mimosa
5/15Vilhelm Parfumerie
Modest Mimosa Eau de Parfum
- Fragrance family: Powdery, floral musk
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Optimistic
This scent grows on you—and we mean that quite literally. Spray onto freshly cleansed skin and the scent will develop and evolve as you wear it throughout the day. Optimistic rays of neroli, carrot, violet, and mimosa coeur are all cleverly blended with salted musk and white leather for an unexpected twist. This is the scent that keeps on giving.
Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Acqua
6/15Tom Ford Neroli Portofino Acqua
- Fragrance family: Citrus, floral
- Concentration: Eau de toilette
- Motivation: Refreshing, everyday wear
The aromatic, citrus-meets-amber signature of the crowd-pleasing and original Neroli Portofino fragrance (created in 2011 by Rodrigo-Flores Roux) has been given a fresher, more contemporary and "easier to wear" make-under by its creator. Incorporating notes of petitgrain, amberwood, and white musk, it’s one of the most unassertive and unpretentious scents out there and, being an eau de toilette, it is also much friendlier on the wallet than its punchier predecessor.
Le Labo Neroli 36
7/15Le Labo Neroli 36
- Fragrance family: Amber, citrus, musky
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Stimulating
Neroli 36 has a sunny, sensual charm with an extraordinary warmth. The essence of neroli blended with mandarin orange, musk, rose, jasmine, and vanilla gives a full, floral portrait but with a spiky edge. It’s an easy scent but packs a punch and rising heat as it warms up on your skin throughout the day.
Floris Neroli Voyage
8/15Floris Neroli Voyage
- Fragrance family: Marine citrus
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Exploration
This citrus-meets-marine scent, launched in 2019, is the result of an expedition undertaken by Edward Bodenham, tracing the footsteps of his ancestor Robert Floris. Inspired by a maritime voyage across the Ligurian sea between Antibes and Corsica, setting anchor in Positano, Italy, it has all of the elements of a great neroli-based fragrance (including the harvest of orange blossom trees from the South of France) but with the unexpected and surprising influence of the sea. Neroli and lemon combine with oceanic notes of sea-salted bracing freshness in its top layer with the dominant neroli accord continuing into the heart, wrapped in jasmine flower, ginger, and aromatic fennel seed. Oak wood (indigenous to Corsica), musks, and amber create a warm, woody, and aromatic base that has staying power.
Prada Infusion de Fleur D’Oranger
9/15Prada Infusion de Fleur D’Oranger
- Fragrance family: White floral, tuberose
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Intense, evening
Part of a “wardrobe" of fragrances that each explore and celebrate an emblematic, individual, and natural ingredient, Fleur D’Oranger has a sparkling but slightly intoxicating and mysterious flavour. Featuring neroli and orange blossom absolute from Tunisia, plus jasmine and tuberose from India, it’s a winner for those looking for a "non-invasive" but headier-than-your-usual neroli fragrance for nightfall.
Jo Malone Basil & Neroli
10/15Jo Malone Basil & Neroli
- Fragrance family: Fresh spicy, green
- Concentration: Cologne
- Motivation: Adventurous, playful
Appealing to JM’s loyal fan base and, in particular, the 1999 bestseller Lime Basil & Mandarin Cologne, this fragrance is inspired by the carefree, young-at-heart spirit of London in the swinging ‘60s. Quintessentially British, it evokes the freshness of freshly laundered linen and is composed (as the name would suggest) predominantly of floral neroli and a wink of green basil, balanced with a foamy base of white musk.
Gucci The Alchemist’s Garden 1921
11/15Gucci - The Alchemist’s Garden 1921
- Fragrance family: Floral, zesty and mossy
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Elegant and intense
Created in 2021 to celebrate the house’s centenary, Gucci’s 1921 is a timeless, genderless scent with serious staying power. The heady blend features a salient citrus—derived from Florentine lemons to commemorate the region in which Gucci was founded—underscored by neroli flower and earthy oakmoss, which lingers all day long. Drawing inspiration from the ancient practice of alchemy, master perfumer Alberto Morillas designed the parfum to be layered with the perfumed oils and acque profumate (scented waters, to you and I) in the rest of Gucci’s The Alchemist’s Garden collection. Wear it alone or in combination with other fragrances in the fresh family to create a custom signature scent.
Acqua di Parma Colonia
12/15Acqua di Parma Colonia
- Fragrance family: Citrus, woody, spicy
- Concentration: Eau de cologne
- Motivation: Elegant
If you’re after a zesty neroli with depth, look no further than Acqua Di Parma’s Colonia. First launched in Italy in 1916, this well-loved classic delivers an impressive ten notes: a lemon, sweet orange, and Calabrian bergamot top, which evaporates to reveal a rich heart of Bulgarian rose, lavender, verbena, and rosemary. At dry down, you’re left with a sexy Sandalwood base, which intertwines with vetiver and patchouli to lend a sensual spice to your aroma. And if that wasn’t enough, Colonia looks as good on your dresser as it smells on you. The timeless spray bottle—rendered in Art Deco style—gives an element of understated Italian chic to your surroundings.
Hermes Eau de Néroli Doré
13/15Hermes Eau de Néroli Doré
- Fragrance family: Spicy citrus
- Concentration: Eau de cologne
- Motivation: Invigorating
Jean Claude Ellena dug deep into memories of his Mediterranean youth to inspire his fifth creation in the cologne family for this stealth luxury label (notably, the last before retirement). A citrus-dominated blend with an abundance of neroli, this is simple but effectual in its construction. Combining orange blossom with bitter Seville oranges and saffron, it’s constructed with essential oils and almost pure alcohol, meaning a very little goes a very long way. Apply with caution.
Chanel Les Exclusifs de Chanel 1957
14/15Chanel Les Exclusifs de Chanel 1957
- Fragrance Family: Floral woody, musk
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Powerful, refined
The name (or should we say number) of the third Les Exclusifs de Chanel fragrance formulated by Olivier Polge is very significant to this iconic fashion house’s past. Inspired by the modernity of America, this unisex masterpiece, made up of eight separate white musks, is one of the most dignified on our list.
Bulgari Man Wood Neroli
15/15Bulgari Man Wood Neroli
- Fragrance family: Woody citrus
- Concentration: Eau de parfum
- Motivation: Masculine, empowering
Paying tribute to Bulgari’s Italian heritage, Man Wood Neroli bridges the gap between city and nature. Taking inspiration directly from the wildness of the Italian coast, you can expect a spritz to be packed with zesty freshness and salty accents. Floral top notes of bergamot and neroli lead to a heart of the bitter orange tree, all rounded off subtly with a base of white musk and leather. Apply to pulse points for a unique take of classic neroli.
This article originally appeared in British GQ.
