Jo's Scent Notes: Jo Malone London Raspberry Ripple

Don’t judge a book by its cover. And don’t always judge a scent by its name. When Jo Malone London’s summer limited edition landed on my desk, I didn’t reckon it was for me; ice cream-inspired Raspberry Ripple sounded way too sugary for my tastes. (Notwithstanding the fact that ice cream is, and always will be, my go-to dessert; you could show me a menu of 100 puddings, and it’d be gelato every time.)

Anyway, I was completely and utterly wrong about Raspberry Ripple not being ‘me’. It’s summer-perfect.

There’s a fizz at the start which I put down to a rush of aldehydes (the same aroma molecules which power Chanel No.5 out of the bottle). Then a definite raspberry-ness, which I also love – not juicy, exactly, but with a berry sweetness. Almost a violet nuance – I’m thinking Parma violet sweets, here; definitely posh chocolate shop vibe, rather than Woolworth’s Pick ‘n’ Mix. (Though how I mourn the demise of that cornucopia of calorific delights.)

But it’s all just so, so, so soft. Musks wrap themselves round your shoulders like a pashmina on a summer’s night turned chilly, and wrap you in gauzy comfort. And overall, it’s snuggly and intimate, rather than a ‘room-rocker’, and has me compulsively sniffing my own skin. (And the scarves I spray it on.)

I guess the mastery of Raspberry Ripple is that it’s just not trying too hard. There’s a simplicity to it – and isn’t that what we crave, in summer? Food eaten out of doors. Joyful playlists of favourite songs. Lazy tme with friends. Limbs on show. Honestly, give me a couple of months of those, and I’m in heaven. So, in terms of my scent equivalent of a playlist for Summer 2025, I’ve been hitting repeat with Raspberry Ripple, over and over, in the deliciously warm weather.

And the moral is…? You really do always have to try a fragrance on your skin, before making up your mind. I’m so happy that I took my own advice, with this gelat-eaux.

Yet another scoop? Make mine a double.

From £59 for 30ml Cologne – buy here