We may earn commission from links on this page, but we only recommend products we love. Promise.
The Best Apple Perfumes of 2025 That Smell Juicy, Fresh, and Flirty
They smell like fall apple picking in a bottle.
Eve biting into the forbidden fruit. Kitschy apple decor marking the start of a new school year. Snow White narrowly cheating death after a poisoned apple. The classic saying that 'an apple a day keeps the doctor away.' We’ve been obsessed with apples for centuries, and now they’re taking over the fragrance world: apple is officially dethroning strawberry and cherry as the must-have fruity scent for 2025.
“It’s a natural follow-up to the cherry trend,” says fragrance historian Jessica Murphy. “While cherry perfumes can lean a little too sweet for some people, apple notes feel crisp and bright.” Apple fragrances have an unexpected versatility, and the juicy scent is ideal for the cooler months ahead.
Team Cosmo has been spritzing the fruity note for years, and while some of our favorite fragrances are classic apple, others we love are sweetened with vanilla for a gourmand touch, or mixed with cozy sandalwood to spray atop a chunky fall sweater. Ahead, the 9 best apple perfumes of 2025.
This mouthwatering red apple is paired with blooming florals and sugary vanilla notes to infuse color and juicy fun. Of all the apple scents I've tested, this is the one that reminds me most of taking a bite of a fresh, juicy red apple plucked straight from the tree. Red berries, jasmine, and vanilla add a sultry and sophisticated spin to the drydown. This one’s a gem, just like its bottle!
One Cosmo editor says: "I've loved this fragrance for years (and funnily enough, I wore it to see Harry Styles in 2022 because I was convinced he would smell me from the stage and fall in love with me.) Annoyingly, my mom has since stolen this from me, and she legit texts me once a week that someone compliments her on how good she smells."—BETH GILLETTE, BEAUTY EDITOR
| Key notes | Juicy red apple, lychee, wild berries, jasmine |
| Sizes | .34 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz. |
If eating a sweet fruit salad on the beach was a scent, it would be this one. With fresh notes of tangerine water, sweet apple, and lemon blossom, this fragrance smells is bright, juicy, and effortlessly flirty. It's lightweight since it's a mist, but you can douse yourself in it for a stronger scent, if that's your vibe.
One Cosmo editor says: "Birthday Suit is what every fruity body mist wishes it could be—sorry, I said what I said! It’s light, joyful, and flirty, like the scent equivalent of falling in love in the spring and going into summer with someone who gives you butterflies. And while I’ve spritzed this before plenty of warm-weather dates, it’s not strictly a summer scent. If you ask me, the musky amber base keeps it grounded enough to spray on and reminisce all year long."—ARIEL WODARCYK, CONTRIBUTING WRITER
| Key notes | Tangerine water, skin musk, sweet apple |
| Sizes | 3.9 fl oz. |
No, this isn’t a high-end cocktail—it’s Kilian’s Apple Brandy on the Rocks fragrance. It opens with bright bergamot before its juicy apple notes take center stage, rounded out by a warm hint of cardamom. It’s like spiked cider for your senses: bright, crisp, and just boozy enough without being overpowering.
One Cosmo editor says: “Even as someone who doesn’t drink alcohol, I’m drawn to boozy scents. Kilian Paris continues to expand its Liquors collection and I’m especially loving Apple Brandy, which calls to mind spiked cider and comes in a whiskey-glass–style bottle."—MARY HONKUS, CONTRIBUTING EDITOR
Features at a Glance
| Key notes | Bergamot, Apple, Cardamon |
| Sizes | .24 oz., 1.7 oz. |
On first spray, this fragrance is red apple all the way. Give it a minute or two to dry, though, and you’ll be met head-on with a vanilla confectionary delight. Sugary, creamy, and sweet, it’s like if a vanilla cupcake was cut in half to reveal a delectable apple filling. Before you start thinking it’s too sugary, though, notes like plum blossom, muguet (aka lily-of-the-valley), and soft sandalwood give it a surprising level of sex appeal. Wear this on your next date night, and you’ll smell good enough to eat.
One Cosmo editor says: "I love Ellis Brooklyn's perfumes because the eponymous notes on the bottle are always super long-lasting. This gourmand fragrance reminds me of a warm apple pastry, but it isn't overly cloying and vanilla."—JASMINE HYMAN, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR
| Key notes | Red apple, sugar cane, vanilla |
| Sizes | .34 oz., 1.7 oz. |
This fresh perfume is exactly what I think of when I hear the word "juicy" to describe a fragrance. It's got notes of apple and pear, that remind me of an autumnal fruit stand and then notes of musk that bring it a warmer feel. It's basically the adult version of all your favorite childhood scents.
One Cosmo editor says: "Mrs. Smith is one of those fruity scents you want to smell again and again. The apple notes are reminiscent of the fruit-scented shampoos of the early 2000s, so there's a nostalgia to it that's hard to resist. It's not spicy, but there is a warmth from the musk, especially after it's been on your skin for a few hours. Instead it's fresh and juicy, the perfect fruit scent for fall days."—SARAH MABERRY, COMMERCE EDITOR
| Key notes | Granny Smith apple, pear, apple blossom, watermelon, violet |
| Sizes | 3 oz., 8 oz. |
Sandalwood can smell wildly different depending on what kind is used and what it’s paired with, but here, it’s a decadent mix of lush cherry, apple, and coconut cream that I wish I could take a bath in. If you’re fan of snuggling up with milky fragrances, skin scents, or even certain soft gourmands, this might just become your new signature scent.
One Cosmo editor says: "For a niche perfume that strikes the perfect balance between interesting and actually wearable, Gabar's Ludlow has my vote. It's one of the most dynamic scents in my collection, with a sweet, smokey apple and cherry opening that dries into a creamy, almost coconut-y musk. This scent has me sniffing my wrist all day to catch another whiff, and I bet you'll find it equally intriguing."—LAUREN GRUBER, ASSOCIATE COMMERCE EDITOR
| Key notes | Black tea, red apple, cherry, sandalwood |
| Size | 1.7 oz |
My mom used to be obsessed with Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue during my childhood—it's like the OG summer scent. And it just got a new formulation with a muskier base. The result is a fragrance that's slightly less summery, but more wearable for year-round. The fresh scent is a but more citrusy than your classic apple note but I love how it's not overpowering.
One Cosmo editor says: "Let’s be real, the original Light Blue is iconic for a reason. That crisp lemon-meets-green-apple top note combo? Chef’s kiss. But the eau de parfum relaunch turns the volume way up while still honoring the fresh DNA we all know and love. This time around, perfumer Olivier Cresp added creamy ambrette seed and a musky, woodsy base that lingers. The new and improved version is built for all-day wear, thanks to its richer base and smart reformulation."—JULEE WILSON, ASSISTANT BEAUTY EDITOR AT LARGE
| Key notes: | Sicilian lemon, apple, cedarwood |
| Sizes: | .33 oz., 1 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.3 oz., 6.7 oz. |
Growing up, I was constantly tearing out magazine samples of Marc Jacobs Daisy. The day my mom gifted me a travel-size bottle is still such a monumental moment in my budding beauty-writer psyche. Flower Bed smells strikingly similar, with a fresh, sparkling apple note and a shower of soft pink peony petals. Now that I’m well into my mid-20s, this fragrance feels like a gift to my inner child.
| Key notes: | Peony, green apple, bamboo leaf |
| Sizes: | 2 oz. |
You can count on Jo Malone’s luxe perfumes to last as long as you could ever possibly need them to, and Peony & Blush Suede is no different. It’s a timeless floral with peony and rose at its heart, balanced by a juicy hit of red apple that keeps it fruity and light. The soft suede base adds warmth, making it feel subtly fancy and sophisticated—the kind of scent you reach for when you’ve got somewhere special to be.
Features at a Glance
| Key notes | Red apple, peony, suede |
| Sizes | .34 oz., 1 oz., 1.7 oz., 3.4 oz., |
Why are apple perfumes trending?
Fun fact: In the early 2000s, there were several notable releases that featured an apple note; most famously, DKNY Be Delicious and Dolce & Gabbana Light Blue (2001). “They were both really straightforward, and I think that quality might have attracted younger customers who were ready to purchase a more ‘adult’ perfume, but still wanted something in their comfort zone,” says Murphy.
Fast forward to 2025, and we’re seeing the note swing back into the trend cycle. According to DSM-Firmenich principal perfumer Clement Gavarry, it makes sense for apple notes to gain traction specifically among Gen Zs and young millennials, who tend to favor “fun, expressive, and playful fragrances.” “Apple’s bright, juicy profile fits perfectly into mood-enhancing fragrances, offering a sense of energy, optimism, and cleanliness,” he says.
Apple is also a scent that we associate with comfort and nostalgia, whether that be in the fruity body mists that Murphy mentioned, the shine of an apple on a teacher’s desk, or the heavenly aroma of a homemade pie in the oven.Finally, we can’t ignore the fact that apple perfumes conjure up serious fall vibes. “Apple harvest peaks in late summer to early fall, and the ingredient is a seasonal marker that bridges summer freshness with autumn depth,” says Gavarry.
What are the best apple perfumes?
Apple perfumes feel like a no-brainer as the weather starts to get chillier and the leaves turn golden. “In warmer compositions, apple lends a flirtatious, fun, and approachable energy,” says Gavarry. “For more aromatic or watery compositions, apple notes bring a crisp, tart, and invigorating feel, evoking clarity and a sense of movement.” You don’t have to wait for the official start of fall to find an apple perfume you love—we did all the picking for you, minus a trip to the orchards. Below, find the crisp, cozy, and flirty apple scents we’re taking home this season.
What do apple perfumes smell like?
“Olfactively, the signal of a crisp, juicy, and slightly sweet or tart character makes an apple note,” says Gavarry. “Apple notes typically have a subtle sugary undertone, especially in red apple interpretations. On the other hand, green apple notes tend to be more acidic and sharp.”
Apple notes are very versatile, Gavarry points out. “They can be paired with pretty much any other olfactive category. Floral notes like rose and jasmine; other fruits like pear, peach, and berries; woody notes like cedarwood and sandalwood.” Many perfumers pair apple with other notes reminiscent of fall, like caramel, cinnamon, cardamom, and nutmeg. The result? Cozy, mouthwatering gourmands that feel like they were concocted from a family recipe. Perfumers might also add a boozy note to emulate a steaming mug of spiced cider.
Why trust Cosmopolitan?
For this story, Cosmo's beauty team spent months spritzing and testing the most popular apple perfumes. We also spoke with perfume historian Jessica Murphy and DSM-Firmenich principal perfumer Clement Gavarry for their takes on the apple note.
Ariel Wodarcyk is a freelance beauty and wellness writer based in New York City. Her work has appeared in Cosmo, ELLE, Good Housekeeping, Popsugar, and Makeup.com. Outside of work, you can find her hunting down signature scents for loved ones and scouring PerfumeTok.
Jasmine Hyman is the Assistant Beauty Editor at Cosmopolitan, where she writes about the latest beauty trends and must-have products. Her most prized beauty possessions are a meticulous skincare routine and salon blowouts. You’ll also likely find her in bed reading a good book or endlessly scrolling TikTok (spoiler: it’s usually the latter) while listening to Harry Styles’ entire discography on repeat. Follow her on Insta to be inundated with pictures of her meals.
Readers Also Read
Finally: The Correct Order to Apply Face Products
The Laziest, Easiest Acne Routine You’ll Ever Try
These High-End Colognes Are Holiday Hero Gifts
Wondering Why You Feel Gross Before Your Period?
