Orange blossom and neroli perfume: what they smell like, and 15 to try
Orange blossom perfume smells of a sweet, honeyed white flower, and neroli is its brighter side. Here are 15 to try, grouped by character, from citrus-bright to warm and sweet.
Fifteen orange blossom and neroli perfumes by character
From neroli in the lead to green and woody, soft white flower and warm and sweet, in the order the guide presents them.
- 1Best overall
Bergamot, mandarin orange and lavender over neroli, orange blossom and jasmine, with amber; fresh and aromatic.
from €17.463 ml
Read the pick - 2
Bergamot, neroli and orange blossom over jasmine and ylang-ylang, with sandalwood and white musk; a bright white floral.
from €18.813 ml
Read the pick - 3
Sea notes and lemon over neroli and orange blossom, with ambergris and patchouli; salty and citrusy.
from €8.103 ml
Read the pick - 4Best value
Mint, petitgrain and blood orange over tarragon and neroli, with caraway and rosemary; aromatic and green.
from €7.113 ml
Read the pick - 5
Bergamot, mandarin and neroli over jasmine and orange blossom, with Virginia cedar; a short list of notes.
from €18.633 ml
Read the pick
Show all 15 picks
- 6
Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Vetiver
Bergamot, basil and petitgrain over neroli, orange blossom, fig and rose, with vetiver and white musk; green and citrusy.
from €8.103 ml
Read the pick - 7
Bergamot, orange and lemon over neroli, orange blossom and jasmine, with cedar and amber; aromatic and woody.
from €8.643 ml
- 8Best for summer
Pink pepper and pineapple over Tunisian orange blossom and jasmine, with Haitian vetiver, cedar and patchouli; woody and citrusy.
from €11.703 ml
Read the pick - 9
Bergamot, nutmeg and cardamom over neroli, tuberose and jasmine, with musk, cedarwood and amber; a white floral with a woody finish.
from €14.493 ml
Read the pick - 10
Neroli, pear and grapefruit over stephanotis, peach and orange blossom, with musk and cedar; fresh and fruity.
from €9.453 ml
Read the pick - 11
Mandarin orange and ginger over orange blossom and gardenia, with vanilla, tonka bean and musk; citrusy and slightly sweet.
from €8.373 ml
Read the pick - 12
Pear and neroli over jasmine and moss, with amber and Bourbon vanilla; a white floral with vanilla.
from €10.263 ml
- 13Best powdery pick
Raspberry and neroli over tuberose, iris and orange blossom, with vanilla, caramel and white musk; powdery and sweet.
from €8.903 ml
- 14Best floral pick
Bergamot, neroli and yuzu over jasmine sambac and orange blossom, with amber, tonka bean and vanilla; sweet and floral.
from €12.243 ml
- 15Best for winter
Raspberry, neroli and Amalfi lemon over jasmine and African orange flower, with white honey and amber; a sweet white floral.
from €7.833 ml
Read the pick
In this guide
An orange blossom perfume smells of a sweet, honeyed white flower, and neroli, which comes from the same tree, is its brighter, greener and less sweet side. For neroli in the lead, try Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford. For orange blossom as a soft flower for the day, try Voce Viva by Valentino. Below, 15 perfumes are grouped by character.
What is the difference between orange blossom and neroli?
In perfumery, both are taken from the flowers of the bitter orange, and both are widely used. Wikipedia describes neroli as the essential oil, taken from the flowers by steam distillation, with a sweet, honeyed scent that has green and spicy sides and a faint metallic edge. Orange blossom is the same flower reached by another route, enfleurage or solvent extraction, and Wikipedia says it smells sweeter, warmer and more floral.
The word neroli comes from Nerola, in Italy. In the late 17th century its princess, Anne Marie Orsini, made the essence fashionable by scenting her gloves and her bath. In Spain the blossom is called azahar, and the Costa del Azahar, the Orange Blossom Coast, is named after it.
Many of the perfumes below list both, so this guide treats them together. Our pages on orange blossom and neroli list every perfume we stock with each note, and our guide to fragrance families shows where white florals sit. If you like white flowers, our jasmine and tuberose guides cover two more. Here the picks are grouped by what the flower meets.
Quick comparison
| # | Perfume | Label | Main notes | Lasts | Trail | Season | 3 ml | 10 ml | per ml |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Neroli PortofinoTom Ford | Best overall | African Orange Flower, Jasmine, Neroli | Moderate | Moderate | Summer, Spring | €17.46 | €44.19 | €4.42 |
| 2 | Néroli Plein SudGuerlain | Jasmine, Petitgrain, Ylang-Ylang | Long lasting | Moderate | Spring | €18.81 | €50.31 | €5.03 | |
| 3 | Scilly NeroliAtkinsons | Neroli Essence, Orange Blossom | Long lasting | Strong | Summer, Spring | €8.10 | €21.06 | €2.11 | |
| 4 | Green NeroliCreed | Best value | Neroli, Orange, Tarragon | Moderate | Moderate | Summer, Spring | €7.11 | €18.09 | €1.81 |
| 5 | Fiori di NeroliGucci | Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Petitgrain | Long lasting | Moderate | Summer, Spring | €18.63 | €56.43 | €5.64 | |
| 6 | Aqua Allegoria Nerolia VetiverGuerlain | Fig, Neroli, Orange Blossom | Moderate | Moderate | Summer, Spring | €8.10 | €24.12 | €2.41 | |
| 7 | Riviera DriveAtelier des Ors | Jasmine, Neroli, Orange Blossom | Long lasting | Moderate | Autumn, Winter | €8.64 | €21.87 | €2.19 | |
| 8 | Hacivat XNishane | Best for summer | Jasmine, Lime, Tunisian Orange Blossom | Long lasting | Strong | Summer | €11.70 | €35.28 | €3.53 |
| 9 | Torino23Xerjoff | Jasmine, Neroli, Tuberose | Long lasting | Moderate | Spring, Autumn | €14.49 | €44.19 | €4.42 | |
| 10 | Love StoryChloé | Black Currant, Orange Blossom, Peach | Moderate | Moderate | Spring | €9.45 | €27.18 | €2.72 | |
| 11 | Voce VivaValentino | Gardenia, Orange Blossom | Moderate | Moderate | Spring | €8.37 | €22.86 | €2.29 | |
| 12 | Prada Paradoxe IntensePrada | Jasmine, Moss, Neroli Essence | Long lasting | Strong | Autumn, Winter | €10.26 | €29.16 | €2.92 | |
| 13 | Mmmm...Juliette Has a Gun | Best powdery pick | Iris, Jasmine Sambac, Orange Blossom | Autumn, Winter | €8.90 | €28.90 | €2.89 | ||
| 14 | AthénaïsParfums de Marly | Best floral pick | Jasmine Sambac, Mahonial, Orange Blossom | Moderate | Moderate | Spring, Autumn | €12.24 | €36.27 | €3.63 |
| 15 | Lady MillionRabanne | Best for winter | African Orange Flower, Gardenia, Jasmine | Moderate | Moderate | Winter, Autumn | €7.83 | €24.12 | €2.41 |
Show all 15 picks
Community votes
Neroli in the lead: bright and citrusy
These five carry neroli in their names, with citrus, herbs or the sea around it, and voters pick all five for spring and summer.
Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Lavender, Lemon, Mandarin Orange
- Heart notes
- African Orange Flower, Jasmine, Neroli, Orange Blossom
- Base notes
- Amber, Ambrette, Angelica
- Time of day
- Daytime
Neroli Portofino by Tom Ford opens with bergamot, mandarin orange, lemon, lavender and myrtle. Neroli, African orange flower, orange blossom and jasmine form the heart, and amber, ambrette and angelica close it. It is a fresh, aromatic citrus floral from 2011, and it is unisex. Community votes put its longevity at moderate first, then long lasting. Its sillage votes go to moderate first, then strong. It is picked for summer and spring, for day and office wear. Our Neroli Portofino guide covers it in more depth.
Néroli Plein Sud by Guerlain
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Neroli, Orange Blossom
- Heart notes
- Jasmine, Petitgrain, Ylang-Ylang
- Base notes
- Amber, Sandalwood, White Musk
- Time of day
- Daytime
Néroli Plein Sud by Guerlain begins with bergamot, neroli and orange blossom, so both flowers of this guide arrive in the opening. Jasmine, petitgrain and ylang-ylang form the heart, and amber, sandalwood and white musk close it. It is a bright white floral from 2024, and it is unisex. Longevity votes lean long lasting, then moderate. Most voters rate its sillage moderate. Spring and summer days are the voted seasons.
Scilly Neroli by Atkinsons
- Top notes
- Lemon, Petitgrain, Sea Notes
- Heart notes
- Neroli Essence, Orange Blossom
- Base notes
- Ambergris, Patchouli
- Time of day
- Daytime
Scilly Neroli by Atkinsons opens with sea notes, lemon and petitgrain. Neroli and orange blossom sit in the heart, over ambergris and patchouli. It is a salty, citrusy niche perfume from 2016, and it is unisex. Most voters call its longevity long lasting. Most voters rate its sillage strong. They pick it for summer and spring days.
Green Neroli by Creed
- Top notes
- Blood Orange, Mint, Petitgrain
- Heart notes
- Neroli, Orange, Tarragon
- Base notes
- Caraway, Lemon, Rosemary
- Time of day
- Daytime
Green Neroli by Creed opens with mint, petitgrain and blood orange. Tarragon, neroli and orange make up the heart, and lemon, caraway and rosemary finish it. It is an aromatic, green niche perfume from 2020, and it is unisex. Voters lean moderate on longevity, then long lasting. Sillage votes lean moderate, then strong. Summer and spring come first in the season votes, with day and office wear.
Fiori di Neroli by Gucci
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Mandarin, Neroli
- Heart notes
- Jasmine, Orange Blossom, Petitgrain
- Base notes
- Virginia Cedar
- Time of day
- Daytime
Fiori di Neroli by Gucci keeps its list short. Bergamot, mandarin and neroli come first, then jasmine, orange blossom and petitgrain, over Virginia cedar. It dates from 2025 and is unisex. Long lasting is the majority vote on its longevity. Moderate is the majority vote on its sillage. It is voted for summer and spring, in the day and at the office.
Green and woody: the flower among leaves and wood
Here the flowers meet green, woody or spiced notes rather than vanilla or honey. Two are presented for men.
Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Vetiver by Guerlain
- Top notes
- Basil, Bergamot, Lemon, Petitgrain
- Heart notes
- Fig, Neroli, Orange Blossom, Rose
- Base notes
- Vetiver, White Musk
- Time of day
- Daytime
Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Vetiver by Guerlain opens with bergamot, lemon, basil and petitgrain. Neroli, orange blossom, fig and rose form the heart, and vetiver and white musk close it. Delphine Jelk and Thierry Wasser made it in 2022, and it is a green, citrusy unisex perfume. Longevity votes lean moderate, then long lasting. Sillage votes follow the same order, moderate and then strong. Voters place it in summer and spring, for day and office wear.
Riviera Drive by Atelier des Ors
Riviera Drive by Atelier des Ors begins with bergamot, orange and lemon. Neroli, orange blossom and jasmine sit in the heart, over white musk, cedar and amber. Marie Salamagne composed this aromatic, woody niche perfume in 2021, and it is unisex. Most voters rate its longevity long lasting. For sillage, most voters say moderate. Unlike the perfumes above, voters pick it for autumn and winter, for evening and day wear.
Hacivat X by Nishane
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Pineapple, Pink Pepper
- Heart notes
- Jasmine, Lime, Tunisian Orange Blossom
- Base notes
- Cedar, Haitian Vetiver, Patchouli
- Time of day
- Daytime
Hacivat X by Nishane starts with bergamot, pink pepper and pineapple. Lime, Tunisian orange blossom and jasmine follow, and Haitian vetiver, cedar and patchouli finish it. It is a woody, citrusy niche perfume for men from 2023. Most voters rate its longevity long lasting. Sillage votes lean strong, then moderate. It is voted for summer and spring days.
Torino23 by Xerjoff
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Cardamom, Nutmeg, Rose
- Heart notes
- Jasmine, Neroli, Tuberose, Ylang-Ylang
- Base notes
- Amber, Cashmere Wood, Cedarwood, Musk
- Time of day
- Daytime
Torino23 by Xerjoff opens with bergamot, nutmeg, rose and cardamom. Neroli, tuberose, jasmine and ylang-ylang form the heart, over musk, cashmere wood, amber, cedarwood and patchouli. It is a white floral with a woody finish, a niche perfume for men from 2023. Long lasting leads the longevity votes, then moderate. Moderate leads the sillage votes, then strong. Voters pick it for spring and autumn days.
A soft white flower for the day
In both of these women's perfumes, the flower sits among fruit or citrus and musk, and voters pick them for day and office wear.
Love Story by Chloé
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Grapefruit, Lemon, Neroli
- Heart notes
- Black Currant, Orange Blossom, Peach, Rose
- Base notes
- Cashmirwood, Cedar, Musk, Patchouli
- Time of day
- Daytime
Love Story by Chloé opens with neroli, pear, bergamot, grapefruit and lemon. Stephanotis, rose, peach, black currant and orange blossom make the heart, over musk, cedar, Cashmirwood and patchouli. It is a fresh, fruity white floral for women from 2014. Most community voters rate its longevity moderate. Most voters rate its sillage moderate too. Spring is its voted season, for day and office wear.
Voce Viva by Valentino
- Top notes
- Bergamot, Ginger, Mandarin Orange
- Heart notes
- Gardenia, Orange Blossom
- Base notes
- Musk, Oakmoss, Sandalwood, Tonka Bean
- Time of day
- Daytime
Voce Viva by Valentino begins with mandarin orange, bergamot and ginger. Orange blossom and gardenia form the heart, and vanilla, sandalwood, oakmoss, tonka bean and musk close it. It is a citrusy, slightly sweet white floral for women from 2020. Moderate is the majority vote on its longevity. It is the majority vote on its sillage too. Voters pick it for spring and autumn.
Warm and sweet, for later in the day
Here the flowers meet vanilla, caramel, honey or amber, and every one of these has autumn among its voted seasons.
Paradoxe Intense by Prada
Paradoxe Intense by Prada opens with pear, neroli and bergamot. Jasmine, moss and a second helping of neroli form the heart, over amber, Serenolide, Bourbon vanilla, vanilla and Ambrofix. It is a white floral with vanilla, for women, from 2023. Long lasting is the majority vote for its longevity. Strong is the majority vote for its sillage. Voters place it in autumn and winter, for evening and night wear.
Mmmm... by Juliette Has a Gun
Mmmm... by Juliette Has a Gun opens with raspberry, geranium and neroli. The heart holds tuberose, iris, jasmine sambac and orange blossom, and the base runs from vanilla and caramel through sandalwood and heliotrope to white musk and patchouli. It is a powdery, sweet niche perfume from 2016, and it is unisex. Voters pick it for autumn, winter and spring, for day and night wear.
Athénaïs by Parfums de Marly
Athénaïs by Parfums de Marly begins with bergamot, neroli and yuzu. Jasmine sambac, mahonial and orange blossom form the heart, and amber, tonka bean and vanilla finish it. Hamid Merati-Kashani composed this niche perfume for women in 2026. The sillage votes go to moderate first, then strong. Spring and autumn are the voted seasons, for day and evening wear.
Lady Million by Rabanne
- Top notes
- Amalfi Lemon, Neroli, Raspberry
- Heart notes
- African Orange Flower, Gardenia, Jasmine
- Base notes
- Amber, Patchouli, White Honey
- Time of day
- Night out
Lady Million by Rabanne leads with raspberry, then neroli and Amalfi lemon. The heart is jasmine, African orange flower and gardenia, with white honey, patchouli and amber below. It is a sweet white floral for women from 2010. Longevity votes lean moderate, then long lasting. For sillage, voters lean moderate, then strong. Winter and autumn nights are its voted time.
The 15 at a glance
| Group | Perfumes | What the flower meets | Season votes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Neroli in the lead | Neroli Portofino, Néroli Plein Sud, Scilly Neroli, Green Neroli, Fiori di Neroli | Bergamot, lavender, sea notes, mint, jasmine | Spring and summer |
| Green and woody | Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Vetiver, Riviera Drive, Hacivat X, Torino23 | Basil, vetiver, cedar, pink pepper, cardamom | Spring, summer, autumn and winter |
| Soft white flower | Love Story, Voce Viva | Pear, peach, gardenia, vanilla | Spring and autumn |
| Warm and sweet | Paradoxe Intense, Mmmm..., Athénaïs, Lady Million | Vanilla, caramel, tonka bean, honey | Autumn, winter and spring |
Compare two before you commit
Flower notes are easiest to judge on your own skin, and a 3ml decant of around 60 sprays is plenty for that. Begin with a neroli and an orange blossom: Néroli Plein Sud is €18.81 for neroli at the top, and Voce Viva is €8.37 for orange blossom in the heart. Wear them on separate days.
Should one win, step up to a 10ml decant of around 200 sprays, which covers weeks of wear, or a 30ml of around 600 sprays to keep. Buying unsmelled is the usual worry, and our guide on how to choose perfume without smelling it helps. New to decants? What a decant is explains the format, and women's perfume has more to browse.
Frequently asked questions
- What does neroli smell like?
- Neroli, the oil of the bitter orange blossom, smells sweet and honeyed, with green and spicy sides. In Néroli Plein Sud it opens the perfume beside bergamot, while in Scilly Neroli it meets sea notes and lemon.
- Is neroli the same as orange blossom?
- No, though both come from the flowers of the bitter orange. Neroli is steam distilled and smells less sweet, while orange blossom, taken by enfleurage or solvent extraction, smells sweeter, warmer and more floral. Many perfumes list both, including Neroli Portofino and Aqua Allegoria Nerolia Vetiver.
- Which orange blossom perfumes suit the evening?
- Prada Paradoxe Intense, Mmmm... by Juliette Has a Gun and Rabanne Lady Million pair the flowers with vanilla, caramel or honey, and voters pick all three for autumn and for night wear.
- Are there neroli perfumes for men?
- Yes. Torino23 by Xerjoff carries neroli in its heart and Hacivat X by Nishane carries Tunisian orange blossom, and both are presented for men. Neroli Portofino, Scilly Neroli and Green Neroli are unisex, so they suit any wearer.
- Which neroli perfumes suit summer?
- Voters pick Néroli Plein Sud, Scilly Neroli, Green Neroli, Fiori di Neroli and Neroli Portofino for spring and summer days, so start with those.
- Can I try a neroli perfume in a small size?
- Yes. A 3ml decant gives around 60 sprays, and Néroli Plein Sud is €18.81 in that size. A 10ml decant gives around 200 sprays and costs €50.31, enough to wear it for weeks.
Sources
Wear it for a week, not ten seconds.
Designer and niche fragrances in 10ml decants, so you can live with a scent before you commit.
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