Fruity perfumes sometimes get a bad rap. Why? Well, fruit notes are commonly found in body mists, and so, you might also expect fruity fragrances to lean towards sugary and candy-like scents. Yet, even if you nostalgically associate fruity notes with the body sprays and cheap perfumes you spritzed as a teenager, rest assured because today, fruit has grown up. The proof? We're finally seeing fruity notes reinterpreted by leading perfumers and luxury fragrance houses such as Byredo, Penhaligon's and Jo Loves.
Proving that there really is more to fruity perfumes than you might think, many of these fragrances pair classic fruit notes like grapefruit and fig with spicy or floral touches in order to give the finished scent a more sophisticated edge. Some put the spotlight on lesser-known fruits like pear or peach, whilst others balance a fragrance's sweet, fruity top notes with an earthy, aromatic base so that it can be interpreted as unisex.
Right now, we're in the midst of summer, and it's a prime time to switch up your scent to something fruity that will really come into its own in this warm weather. In fact, fruity fragrances make for some of the best summer perfumes in existence. Few smells can make you feel as energised, uplifted and refreshed as fresh fruit, like the scent of crisp pear, sweet berries, zesty lemon and honeyed figs—just a few of my fruity favourites.
Below, you'll find my round-up of grown-up, sophisticated, tried-and-tested fruity perfumes. And I promise that all of the fragrances in this edit are a far cry from the sickly sweet scented mists of your youth.
The Best Fruity Perfumes
- Best unique fruity perfume: Byredo Mixed Emotions Eau de Parfum (£150)
- Best juicy fruity perfume: Phlur Apricot Privee Eau de Parfum (£99)
- Best woody fruity perfume: Maison Crivelli Oud Maracuja Extrait de Parfum (£220)
- Best citrusy fruity perfume: Jo Loves Pomelo A Fragrance Parfum (£82)
- Best affordable fruity perfume: & Other Stories Fleur De Mimosa Eau De Toilette (£28)
1. Byredo Mixed Emotions
Key notes: Blackcurrant, violet leaf, tea, birch, papyrus
Byredo fragrances are always totally unique, often pairing unexpected combinations that sound bizarre but make total sense once you've smelled the juice. Mixed Emotions is exactly that—rich, boozy blackcurrant takes centre stage, accompanied by a chorus of tea, violet leaf, birch and papyrus. The result is a scent that is at first overwhelmingly fruity, but, as it settles onto your skin, increasingly powdery and papery. Sounds strange, right? Trust me, just smell it.
2. D.S. & Durga Steamed Rainbow
Key notes: Blood mandarin, orange, grass, cedar, violet, vetiver
D.S. & Durga is also known for its less conventional fragrance offerings. Steamed Rainbow will be a favourite for those drawn to clean, fresh scents. It has vibrant blood orange and mandarin balanced with notes of grass, violet, cedar and vetiver. Yes, it's fruity and sweet, but it's also bright, clean and so compelling.
3. Juliette Has A Gun Pear Inc.
Key notes: Pear, ambroxan, musk
If conventional fruity notes of berries and citrus fruits aren't really your thing, consider pear instead. Fresh and crisp but delicate and totally unlike anything I've ever smelled before, this subtle scent is perfect for summer.
4. Maison Crivelli Oud Maracuja
Key notes: Passonfruit, saffron, rose, patchouli, leather, vanilla
Those who are drawn to rich, deep, woody scents will love this fruity take on a classic oud perfume. Prepare to be surprised by how well the oud balanced out with bright, succulent passionfruit.
5. Ellis Brooklyn Sun Fruit
Key notes: Pear, fig, coconut, jasmine, iris, coconut, vanilla orchid
The hero in this fruity blend is fig—a classic fragrance note often used in modern fruity perfumes because it's not as sweet as other fruits. Instead, it smells creamy, ripe, green and a little bitter.
6. Penhaligon's Solaris
Key notes: Lemon, blackcurrant, neroli, tiare, vanilla, sandalwood
Although it's described as an "amber floral", this warm, sunny scent features top notes of lemon and blackcurrant, which give it a zesty brightness. It mellows into a soft, creamy scent—ideal for those looking for a subtle take on fruity perfume.
7. Kayali Maui in a Bottle Sweet Banana
Key notes: Banana, pear, coconut, jasmine, vanilla
When it comes to fruity perfumes, if you're looking for something a little different, try the latest trend that's growing in popularity: Banana perfumes. Kayali's Maui in a Bottle is a great entry point into banana fragrances as it blends the sweet fruity note with hints of coconut and vanilla, creating a unique twist on a fruity, tropical perfume.
8. Jo Loves Pomelo
Key notes: Pomelo, rose, vetiver, patchouli, suede
Pomelo is a grapefruit-like citrus fruit that adds vibrancy and sparkle to any perfume. This one sits firmly on the citrusy side of the fruity perfume spectrum, and is one of the most energising and uplifting scents I've ever smelled.
9. L'Artisan Parfumeur À Fleur de Peche
Key notes: Peach, jasmine, patchouli
Peach is known for being sickly sweet, but it's totally reinvented in this fragrance blend, where it's combined with jasmine and patchouli for an altogether grown-up take on fruity perfume.
10. Phlur Apricot Privée
Key notes: Apricot, plum, cardamom, jasmine, tonka bean, sandalwood
With top notes of apricot and plum, this is a truly fresh and juicy fruity fragrance. Cardamom, tonka bean and sandalwood ground the blend with a spicy, woody base.
11. & Other Stories Fleur de Mimosa
Key notes: Bergamot, blackcurrant, amber, mimosa, jasmine, cedar
Juicy red currant, bergamot orange and sweet almond are the hero notes in this & Other Stories best seller. It's sweet and luscious but also warm and musky, and smells far more expensive than its price tag conveys.
12. Fresh Hesperides Grapefruit
Key notes: Grapefruit, orange, lemon, jasmine, rhubarb, peach
Inspired by the warmth of an Italian summer, this is a veritable cocktail of fruity notes, including grapefruit, rhubarb and lemon. It's fresh and uplifting, but also sweet and syrupy.
13. Ruth Mastenbroek Amorosa
Key notes: Watermelon, violet leaf, tuberose, ylang-ylang, vetiver, amber
This is the kind of fragrance that transports you to sunnier climes in one sniff—fresh watermelon is paired with vetiver and a boozy amber base.
14. Tom Ford Bitter Peach
Best balanced fruity perfume
Key notes: Peach, blood orange, cardamom, rum, cognac, jasmine, vanilla
A scintillating homage to peach, this complex fragrance starts as a sweet gourmand—think of a juicy, freshly-picked peach—before a bouquet of summer florals spring forth to take centre stage. Once it dries down, the honey sweetness gives way to a hint of spicy warmth from cardamom before a skin-like softness from sandalwood, vanilla and tonka bean. A true delight for the senses.
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