7 Best Summer Colognes for Men in 2025, According to a Grooming Editor
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Last winter, during one of those sub-zero freezing days, I found myself watching
Call Me By Your Name
, yearning for sunny, rural Italy. Smelling this cologne is the closest I’ve gotten to achieving that escape, and now that it’s beautiful again in New York (though nowhere near Italy’s level), it’s the perfect summer scent. It opens with vibrant citrus top notes of zesty bergamot and lemon. Then hints of neroli and orange blossom emerge, developing into a fresh floral brightness that evokes sun-drenched coastal air at the Italian Riviera. As it settles, warm amber and light musk then create a clean, luxurious trail that lingers.
It’s the embodiment of everything I love about warmer weather, offering a breezy, relaxed scent that simultaneously commands attention, the white linen suit of fragrances. Fresh colognes tend to be the quickest to fade, as their scent are lighter and highlight citrus, herbal, or aquatic notes, which evaporate faster than more intense woody or amber fragrances. But Neroli Portofino is an exception to this trend, offering day-long freshness. I’ve given myself a few sprays with this stuff in the morning, and it persists throughout the work day and into the night.
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Best Colognes
| Fragrance Family | Fresh |
| Type of Cologne | Eau de Parfum |
| Key Notes | Citrus, orange, vanilla |
| Size | 1 oz |
As one of the best-selling scents in the world, this fragrance earns its iconic status with a scent that smells great year-round, but works especially well for summer because of its fresh, refreshing formula. I love how the fresh grapefruit, crisp cedar, and smooth sandalwood strike a perfect balance of being masculine without being overpowering. As a result, it’s my go-to for laid-back summer days when I just want to keep it subtle yet still sharp.
It’s crazy versatile, too. While it shines in daylight, it easily transitions into evening wear when the freshness fades and warm sandalwood takes center stage. This cologne evolves on your skin without losing its identity—never loud, but always notable. It’s the kind of summer scent that stays fresh but leaves a quiet, confident impression wherever you go.
| Fragrance Family | Fresh |
| Type of Cologne | Eau de Toilette |
| Key Notes | Grapefruit, dry cedar, sandalwood |
| Size | 1.7 oz |
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