Queen of Hungary Water

The world’s first alcoholic perfume wasn’t so much a perfume, but rather a cure-all tonic, bestowed with near-magical properties. Called the Queen of Hungary water (and later just Hungary water), it was a distilled product made up of rosemary and alcohol. Later versions added citrus and other herbs, making it the true precursor to cologne.

The legend goes that this water was made for Queen Elisabeth of Hungary (1305-1380), but there are some conflicting facts and legends about the exact date of invention, and