It’s safe to say that fragrance is having a moment. I’d go so far as to say we’re in the midst of a “perfume boom,” whether we realize it or not. Instead of sticking to classic, simple scents like vanilla, rose, and amber, brands are brewing up fantasy perfumes to cater to the TikTok generation’s love of super-specific aesthetics. They don’t just make you smell good; they conjure a specific character, object, or moment in time. Want to smell like you’re on an expensive vacation? There are scents for that. Want to channel NYC It-girl energy? Yep. How about cosplaying as a drawer full of fresh laundry? Believe it or not, there are whole categories of perfumes catered to pretty much any preference. And the latest (and trendiest) one is all about turning your signature drink into a signature scent.
Whether you exclusively drink espresso martinis or you’re more of a “negroni sbagliato with prosecco” person (IYKYK), there’s a perfume to pair with it. Opt for any number of boozy fragrance notes like rum absolute, mimosa, or vanilla whiskey. But then again, it’s not really about a specific alcohol or drink. It’s about using a scent to encapsulate the cozy, moody, and mysterious vibe of your favorite bar. Ahead, see 11 cocktail-inspired perfumes that are fueling fall’s next big trend.
Notes: Ginger, cardamom, guaiac wood, vanilla, cistus, sandalwood, and patchouli
The latest perfume from Bella Hadid’s brand, Orebella, this “Nightcap” scent contains no cocktail-specific notes yet smells boozy in the best way. It’s warm, spicy, and smoky, and the ginger and cardamom notes are the first ones we smell. Then comes a syrupy element, which we’re guessing comes from the vanilla and cistus. It reminds us of a classic cocktail—the old-fashioned. In fact, we think it’s just as controversial as its cocktail counterpart. This is one of those perfumes that you’ll either love or substitute with something you find more palatable.
Eauso Vert
Boozy Patchouli
Notes: Italian bergamot, lemon cedrat, pink pepper, upcycled rose, Moroccan neroli, orris, patchouli, Turkish rose, vetiver, amber
This warm and woodsy fragrance is well-suited to fall and winter, but it’s not heavy or overbearing. Citrus and spice notes, like lemon cedrat and pink pepper, add some levity to the otherwise cozy and cocktail-reminiscent scent.
fine’ry.
Not Another Cherry Eau de Parfum
Notes: Wild cherry, Turkish rose, almond amaretto
This both floral and fruity cheeky perfume is reminiscent of sipping a cozy cocktail in an old-fashioned, dimly lit city bar. To us, the almond amaretto note is what makes this one special. It’s just as sweet and nutty as the Italian liqueur.
Vilhelm Parfumerie
Sparkling Jo Eau De Parfum
Notes: Champagne, bergamot, juniper, William pear, fresh ginger, ambrette, musk, oakwood, ambergris
If your cocktail of choice contains champagne and you want your perfume to match it, this expensive-smelling fragrance is your best bet. It opens on a sparkly sweet note before drying down to a smooth, fresh, and herbaceous scent thanks to the bergamot, juniper, pear, and ginger notes. Finally, it’s rounded out with grounding notes of musk, oakwood, and ambergris.
PERFUMEHEAD
Cosmic Cowboy Extrait De Parfum
Notes: Neon galbanum, cinnamon bark, orris butter, Whiskey a Go Go, angelica root, tobacco leaf, amber, cacao blanc, musk
Inspired by Sunset Strip nightclubs in the ’70s, this perfume is an homage to late nights, loud bars, and one-too-many drinks. It’s warm and spicy, and as the brand puts it, “like smoky, boozy debauchery in a bottle.” Spritz this and you’ll feel like a mysterious partygoer from the hazy past.
Le Monde Gourmand
Noir Distillé Le Jumbo Eau De Parfum
Notes: Black coconut, crisp amber, vanilla whiskey
Just like a high-quality whiskey, this perfume is smooth and sweet with a bite, thanks to its black coconut and crisp amber notes. Don’t let that scare you, though. The simple scent has a fresh quality to it too, which makes it suitable for daily wear. Long story short, if you like traditional vanilla-based perfumes, you’ll love this one.
Jo Malone London
Mimosa & Cardamom Cologne
Notes: Cardamom, mimosa, tonka bean
This bright, creamy, and warm perfume is like a mimosa in a bottle. We love how the sunny citrus notes are warmed up by the scent of fresh cardamom and grounded by creamy tonka bean and sandalwood. A hidden note of Damask rose gives it a subtle floral elegance. We could wear this every single day and never get sick of it. As one reviewer put it, this smells like “a rich aunt.”
Kilian Paris
Intoxicated Refillable Perfume
Notes: Mocha coffee, cardamom, vanilla
This perfume gives off strong espresso martini vibes, and we love it. Its chocolate, coffee, and vanilla notes make it a true gourmand fragrance. The addition of cardamom gives it a spicy edge. And just like its cocktail counterpart, the effects of this perfume stay with you. A few spritzes last all day long.
Maison Margiela Replica
Jazz Club Eau De Toilette
Notes: Pink pepper, rum absolute, tobacco leaf absolute
If there’s one word we’d use to describe this fragrance, it’d be smoky. It makes sense, considering it was inspired by “the scents wafting throughout a Brooklyn jazz club,” according to the brand. As such, it brims with sweet, heady notes of “opened cigar boxes, old leather bar stools, and fine aged liquor.” Since the cozy scent wraps around you and lingers on the skin, we think it’s one of the best fall/winter perfumes.
Maison Solís
Reposado Eau de Parfum
Notes: Blood orange, bergamot, mango, cinnamon, nutmeg, pink peppercorn, aged whiskey, caramel, tonka bean, teakwood
If tequila is your drink of choice, this fragrance is sure to speak to you. Inspired by aged tequila, the brand says it was created to conjure “a warm afternoon as the sun gives way to the mystique of the night.” Talk about imagery. Thanks to blood orange, bergamot, and mango, it’s just as fresh and light as it is smooth and luxurious.
KILIAN Paris
Angels Share Eau De Parfum
Notes: Cognac, tonka bean, oak wood
The first note in the fragrance is cognac. In fact, it contains actual cognac essence to lend the liquid its natural caramel color (cool, right?). Unsurprisingly, it’s smooth and sweet with additional notes of cinnamon essence, tonka bean, sandalwood, praline, and vanilla. It makes us dream of drinking a warm, sweetened cognac cocktail on a brisk fall day.
Shop More Warm and Cozy Fall Fragrances
SKYLAR
Fall Cashmere Eau De Parfum
Notes: Cinnamon bark, roasted almond, spiced ginger
Thiss one is equal parts sweet and spicy. Just perfect for autumn (literally).
BYREDO
Eyes Closed Eau De Parfum
Notes: Cinnamon, cardamom, carrot, orris butter, ginger, patchouli, papyrus
One of the spiciest scents in our collection is Byredo’s Eyes Closed Eau de Parfum, which starts strong and dries down to a warm, alluring, and noteworthy scent. It’s unique, so get ready for reactions like, “What perfume is that?” and “It smells so good, but I can’t put my finger on it.” Yes, those come from personal experience.
PHLUR
Somebody Wood Eau De Parfum
Notes: Sandalwood, amber, musk
Imagine walking down a damp sidewalk that’s littered with dead leaves on a bright October day. That is almost exactly what this perfume conjures up for us.
PHLUR
Vanilla Skin Eau De Parfum
Notes: Sugar crystals, cashmere wood, vanilla
This is one of the softest, sweetest, and most alluring vanilla scents out there.
Ellis Brooklyn
Apple Love Eau De Parfum
Notes: Red apple, sugar cane, vanilla Madagascar
One spritz of this perfume transports us to a crisp autumn day in the Big Apple.
TOM FORD
Tobacco Vanille Eau De Parfum Fragrance
Notes: Tobacco leaf, vanilla, ginger
This is an iconic scent from Tom Ford. It’s warm, smoky, spicy, and as relevant as ever.
TOM FORD
Vanille Fatale Eau De Parfum
Notes: Vanilla, mahogany wood, coffee absolute, roasted barley
If you like deep, dark vanilla perfumes (and not those bright, sugar-scented ones), this one is for you. Its sultry vanilla note mixes with rich mahogany, coffee absolute, and roasted barley to create what we’ll call an espresso martini effect.
Valentino
Donna Born in Roma Eau De Parfum
Notes: Blackcurrant, jasmine grandiflorum, bourbon vanilla
There’s only one word to describe this scent: warm. Yet it’s not cloying or mature. No, it’s sweet, youthful, and just plain cool. Whenever we wear it, we feel like we’re walking through the streets of Rome looking for our next cappuccino.
