The future of gourmand perfumes is brewing in your cup of tea

The soft rush of steam when you lift the lid off a cup of masala chai. Espresso crema clinging to the inside of a warm mug. That first sip that feels like your soul has finally logged back in. It’s easy to understand why fragrances inspired by our everyday drinks are becoming so irresistible.

Traditional gourmand perfumes built their identity around dessert — vanilla frosting, caramel drizzle, syrupy sweetness that feels indulgent for a few minutes and, sometimes, overwhelming by midday. Now, perfumers are shifting gears. Instead of baking, they’re brewing.

Why beverages are the new gourmands

Beverage-inspired fragrances offer a more textured, grown-up interpretation of gourmand scents. Think steam instead of sugar, bitterness instead of syrup, woods and spice instead of whipped cream. Tea, coffee and spirits bring built-in structure — tannins, warmth, roast, spice — making them easier to wear and more versatile across moods and settings.

Chai, in particular, is having a moment. Prada’s Infusion de Santal Chai has been gaining traction for good reason. The fragrance blends creamy sandalwood with a spicy chai latte accord, lifted by citrus and cardamom and softened with musks, resulting in something woody, milky and quietly confident.

Indian brands were exploring this space even earlier. Bombay Perfumery’s Chai Musk demonstrated how drink-inspired scents can feel subtle and unisex, opening with lemongrass, ginger root and green tea before settling into mate, roasted nut, sandalwood and a warm milk accord.

Mumbai-based brand strategist Ayesha Mamdani captures the appeal perfectly:
“I was always conscious of what seniors at work would think of me wearing sweet gourmand perfumes. Tea scents feel like I’m wearing confidence while still being comforted by my out-of-office identity.”

That’s the shift in a sentence.

Matcha, but make it a lifestyle

The internet has turned beverages into identity markers, and matcha is the prime example. It’s no longer just a drink — it’s an aesthetic built around slow mornings, ceramic cups and mindful routines. Once the ritual is romanticised, wearing it feels like the natural next step.

Le Labo THÉ MATCHA 26 pairs matcha tea with creamy fig, cedar, vetiver and bitter orange, creating a plush but unsweetened effect. Maison Margiela’s Replica Matcha Meditation leans into white chocolate in the base, yet remains airy rather than candied.

Coffee scents and quiet confidence

Coffee fragrances follow the same logic. They feel familiar, grounding and social. Akro Awake builds its personality around coffee sharpened with lemon, green cardamom and vetiver, making it crisp rather than heavy.

Closer home, LoveChild by Masaba’s Antiguan Decaf places coffee at the heart before drying down into vanilla, dark chocolate, amber and caramel — comforting without tipping into excess.

Bengaluru-based product designer Kabir Sethia calls beverage-inspired perfumes “the most social scents” in his collection.
“Tea and coffee work anywhere,” he says. “They feel genderless, and I get to enjoy notes I may otherwise have been hesitant about.”

Why this trend works

Beverage notes translate seamlessly across age groups, seasons and personalities. Even classics like Jo Malone’s Earl Grey & Cucumber, with bergamot and cool cucumber over a beeswax-vanilla softness, show how drink-inspired fragrances can feel both fresh and comforting.

There’s something deeply appealing about the idea of wearing your morning order — coffee, chai or matcha — as olfactory armour. Familiar, grounding and quietly powerful, these fragrances don’t shout. They linger, much like the comfort of a warm cup in your hands.

Notable beverage-inspired fragrances to know

• Bombay Perfumery Chai Musk
• Akro Awake
• LoveChild by Masaba Antiguan Decaf
• Kilian Paris Intoxicated
• House of Kanzan Matcha Magnétique
• Le Labo THÉ MATCHA 26