Recommendations for the best summer fragrances and colognes for men often seem to skew aquatic or green. And while there’s nothing wrong with Davidoff Cool Water or Ralph Lauren Polo Green—after all, they’re classics for a reason—we’ve come a long way since then.
Sure, some notes will always read fresher than others. Citruses like lemon, bergamot, and orange; green notes like violet leaves, pine, and freshly cut grass; and aquatic accords laden with mineralic and ozonic notes will invariably deliver a welcome hit of crispness to a hot summer’s day. But dousing yourself with water or strolling through the forest isn’t the only way to cut through the heat. The best summer fragrances for men look beyond the obvious, evoking summer through vegetal takes on culinary herbs, luscious summer fruits, cool sips of iced tea, and yes, dips in the ocean.
While there are no hard and fast rules to what constitutes a good summer fragrance for men, there are a couple of guidelines to follow; for both your benefit and the olfactory senses of those around you. In general, eau de toilette or eau de cologne formulations are better suited to summer due to their lower fragrance oil content and—this is a big one!—it’s essential to avoid overspraying (always a faux pas, but practically lethal during summer). In keeping with sensorial decorum, limit yourself to one to three sprays of an eau de toilette or eau de cologne and definitely no more than two sprays of an eau de parfum.
The best summer fragrances for men in 2025
Whether you’re looking for an olfactory accompaniment for shirtless days by the beach or something to pair with an insouciantly rumpled linen suit, we look beyond the well-sprayed path to find the best summer fragrances and colognes for men.
1. Hermès H24 Herbes Vives
Price: from $130AUD
What we think: The perfect man may be a fallacy, but the perfect summer cologne for men does exist. Finding elegance in simplicity, Hermès H24 Herbes Vives bottles up the archetypal men’s summer fragrance; cool, collected, straightforward, and a little high-tech. A relatively linear scent, it has just three notes; herbs, pear granita, and physcool, the latter a molecule that delivers a cool, refreshing feeling without any mintiness.
“While this is an undeniably ‘green’ scent, it steers away from oft-used vegetation in favour of culinary herbs like parsley, basil, and sorrel, which give it a more mature feeling. The savouriness is attenuated with the sweetness of juicy pear, while physcool lends it an almost aloof, effervescent quality.” — John Deckard, publisher
Brand: Hermès
Olfactory family: Fresh Aromatic
Scent notes: herbs, pear granita, physcool
2. Régime des Fleurs Green Vanille
Price: $275USD (approx. $423AUD)
What we think: Vanilla is often associated with gourmands, winter fragrances, and women’s perfumes (though olfactive notes aren’t inherently gendered). Régime des Fleurs Green Vanille does away with this notion, eschewing sweetness in favour of a hyperealistic vanilla bean layered with chamomile, coriander, green hazelnut, vetiver, and sandalwood. Neither a typical vanilla perfume nor a typical green scent, it’s cool and slightly spicy while still being a relative crowd-pleaser.
Brand: Régime des Fleurs
Olfactory family: Green Oriental
Scent notes: green hazelnut, almond milk, blue chamomile, vanilla, coriander, benzoin, vetiver, cedarwood, sandalwood
3. Jo Malone London Orange Marmalade
Price: from $122AUD
What we think: Jo Malone London’s Cypress & Grapevine Cologne Intense is currently having a moment, no doubt in part thanks to the chiselled jawline of Tom Hardy accompanying its marketing imagery. But for summer, you’ll want something a little less…well, intense. Reach for Jo Malone London Orange Marmalade instead. Originally released as a collaboration with Paddington Bear (yes, really), Orange Marmalade was so well received that it’s joined the main line.
“Despite the name, Orange Marmalade has only the slightest hint of sweetness and is more refreshing than cosy. Bitter mandarin peel meets the delicate creaminess of cashmere wood to form a comforting summer fragrance; a quality often reserved for winter fragrances.” — Theo Rosen, journalist
Brand: Jo Malone London
Olfactory family: Citrus Gourmand
Scent notes: orange peel, orange bigarade, cashmere wood
4. Bulgari Au Thé Vert
Price: $238AUD
What we think: Green, but courtesy of tea rather than grass.
“Both characterful and inoffensive, Bulgari Au Thé Vert is a summer fragrance suited to even the fragrance averse. Natural green tea and bergamot keep things fresh and bright, while a touch of white florals give it a clean, slightly soapy quality.” — Theo Rosen, journalist
Brand: Bulgari
Olfactory family: Citrus Aromatic
Scent notes: green tea, bergamot, orange blossom
5. Sisley Eau de Campagne
Price: from $170AUD
What we think: One of the earliest vegetal scents on the market, this has been a classic summer fragrance since its inception in the mid 1970s.
“The ideal scent for heady summer days, Eau de Campagne imparts sensorial interest without heaviness. The realistic tomato note and herbs channel a Bloody Mary in the best possible way.” — Henry Blake, journalist
Brand: Sisley
Olfactory family: Chypre Floral
Scent notes: bergamot, lemon, basil, galbanum, wild herbs, tomato leaves, jasmine, geranium, lily of the valley, plum, oak moss, patchouli, vetiver, musk
6. Goldfield & Banks Ingenious Ginger
Price: from $183AUD
What we think: Classic summer fragrance notes of bergamot, mandarin, rose, white florals, and vanilla are enlivened by the addition of ginger. Zesty, sultry, and vibrant, this slightly sweet summer fragrance for men makes an impact while being easy to wear.
“The nuanced warm spiciness of ginger lends a sense of intrigue to olfactory notes that typically lean feminine. This is a genderless fragrance but smells particularly good on men.” — Tanisha Angel, editor
Brand:
Olfactory family:
Scent notes: bergamot, mandarin, ginger, magnolia, rose, vanilla, amber, sandalwood
7. Etat Libre d’Orange You or Someone Like You
Price: $290AUD
What we think: Devoid of sweetness, Etat Libre d’Orange You or Someone Like You is a mint bomb; more like fresh leaves straight from the garden than chewing gum or toothpaste.
“Cool, crisp, and inoffensive, this is almost like a body wash in fragrance form. Thankfully, it has more longevity.” — John Deckard, publisher
Brand: Etat Libre d’Orange
Olfactory family: Citrus Aromatic
Scent notes: mint, grapefruit, bergamot, anise, green notes, cassis, rose, hedione, musk
8. Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt
Price: $154AUD
What we think: Sandalwood and cedarwood often veer into winter fragrance territory, but by placing them as top (rather than base) notes and pairing them with sharp, earthy vetiver as well as cinnamon and nutmeg, Maison Louis Marie No.04 Bois de Balincourt keeps things smooth, fresh, and spicy.
“Like an English summer in the countryside, replete with sunny days and crisp air.” — Henry Blake, journalist
Brand: Maison Louis Marie
Olfactory family: Woody Spicy
Scent notes: sandalwood, cedarwood, vetiver, nutmeg, cinnamon, amber
9. Akro Breathe
Price: $229AUD
What we think: We had to have one quintessential aquatic fragrance. From cupcakes and rose macarons to tobacco and whisky, Akro’s creations focus on addictions. Akro Breathe hones in on a rather more wholesome addiction: nature. With just a quartet of fragrance notes, Breathe keeps things simple; expect a classic ’90s era aquatic freshie.
“Refreshing in its simplicity, this is a literal drink of water. Fresh and uncomplicated.” — Theo Rosen, journalist
Brand: Akro
Olfactory family: Aromatic Aquatic
Scent notes: bergamot, lavender, water, musk
10. Ex Nihilo Vetiver Moloko
Price: $439AUD
What we think: A fragrance of contrasts, Ex Nihilo Vetiver Moloko pairs earthy, masculine vetiver with the comforting creaminess of milk. Its light opening of verdant vetiver and bright bergamot cement it as a summer fragrance, while milk and vanilla
“Vetiver and milk are unexpected bedfellows, but Vetiver Moloko manages to make it work. A bright opening of bergamot, rose, and vetiver is underscored by a sweet lactonic quality that lingers on the skin throughout the day.”— John Deckard, publisher
Brand: Ex Nihilo
Olfactory family: Woody
Scent notes: bergamot, rose, milk accord, cypress, amyris, vetiver, vanilla
Enjoyed this article on the best summer fragrances for men? Why not head to our fragrance section for more content or check out our other fragrance guides here:
- The Best Niche Perfumes Will Have You Smelling Better Than Everyone Else
- The Best Summer Fragrances For Women Are Set To Take You On An Olfactory Journey
- Intriguing Spring Fragrances For Aromatic Attention Seekers
- Our Favourite Winter Perfumes For Women
- The Best Woody Fragrances Embody Subtle Masculinity
- The Best Colognes For Men Never Go Out Of Style
- Best Nuanced Woody Floral Fragrances For Complicated Sensorialists
- Smell Like A Gentleman With These Forgotten Fragrances Of Yesteryear
- Real Men Smell Like Flowers; These Are The 16 Best Floral Scents For Men
Words by John Deckard
