I created this drink inspired by Promise Xu’s favourite perfume—Dior Fahrenheit—reimagined through the structure of an Old Fashioned cocktail.
In studying the perfume’s complexity with the aid of Gas Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry (GC/MS) data, I categorized its olfactory composition into five groups: citrus, floral, woody, and leathery, with a spiced amber drydown.
The drink’s base is a blend of bourbon and reposado mezcal, with peated Scotch, lapsang souchong tea, and bergamot and orange bitters introducing a smoky, citrusy lift. Red sandalwood, red cedar, and vetiver deliver woody, earthy layers, while pu-erh tea and ambrette seed impart subtle animalic and musky nuances. The amber notes, which form the perfume’s rich foundation, are mirrored through an edible amber accord made from a 4:1 ratio of benzoin and labdanum, enriched with frankincense, vanilla, tonka bean, cinnamon, cardamom, and kombu.
An emblematic signature of Dior Fahrenheit is its vibrant floral character, laced with an almost petroleum-like undertone. To echo this, I use the much beloved Tempus Fugit Liqueur de Violettes as the foundation for aroma, colour, and sweetness. I then formulated an edible gasoline accord by infusing joven mezcal with violet leaf, wild bergamot, lavender, and nutmeg. The result is an intensely fragrant top spray that evokes the perfume’s dynamic opening while visually mirroring the bottle’s iconic ombré.
