If you’re someone who likes to have more than one cologne—for various occasions, seasons, moods, and such—then the idea of a summer cologne is probably familiar. If you’re faithful to just one signature scent, then having a summery option is a terrific way to keep an upbeat, warming mood year-round.

What you deem a “summer fragrance” might differ from your friend’s definition. But one thing is universal, and that’s the feeling the scent gives you, says Clayton Ilolahia, evaluation and communications manager at Fragrances of the World. A summer fragrance should smell like the season. “I choose fragrances that put me in a literal summery mood, and these notes may vary from person to person. I lean towards a lot of fresh, light fragrances with notes of citrus, sea salt, green leaves, and clean musks,” Ilohalia says. In terms of common fragrance nomenclature, you might want to look for fragrances categorised as green, aquatic, aromatic, or citrus. That’s the typical roster of “summer” notes—but remember, it’s all subjective. You might find a heavier, woody, or spicy scent that has certain summery notes to it, which can also make it feel right for the season.

One category of notes gaining ground with guys is florals. Yes, they’re perfect for spring, but florals give levity to a scent no matter its other notes; this makes it a popular inclusion in summer scents. You can even wear florals in winter to cast an uplifting, optimistic radius. Ilolahia’s favourite floral notes in men’s fragrances are orange blossom (often listed as neroli) and rose. “Neroli smells floral but it also has bitter citrusy facets which fit perfectly well in men’s cologne,” he says. “And rose is a chameleon in fragrances. I like it in a combination with woody and spicy notes.”

Read on for our picks of the best summer cologne for men—and two of Ilolahia’s favourites as well.

Diptyque L’Eau Papier Eau de Toilette

Diptyque’s newest scent is a rousing, musky-woody cologne, and an olfactive love letter to paper. You know the scent; it probably sends you right back to your school days, which ironically were spent begging for summer vacation. Only now, as an adult, this blonde-wood, rice-steam, white-musk essence puts a soothingly youthful pep in your step. There’s a sophistication to it, too, and an almost gourmet finish—something to savour like a slow summer weekend.

Caswell-Massey 2571 Eau de Parfum

The legacy brand’s latest launch is a terrific pick for your signature cologne since it has perennial potential thanks to a balanced and layered recipe (It contains as many multitudes as you do, see, with a woody-floral-spicy-aromatic-ozonic-citrus-amber roster; the scent is, after all, an ode to earth’s many elements.) What makes it particularly suited to summer, though, is its liveliness, like everything is in full bloom, the sun high in the sky, and all of your senses are stimulated. Wear it in winter as a sunshine supplement, even.

Perfumehead Somewhere Extrait de Parfum

This long-lasting extrait is among the most highly concentrated fragrances on the market. That means it’ll burn as bright as the sun on the summer solstice, no matter the time of year. It’s a feverish blend of broody patchouli, bitter neroli, fresh jasmine, powdery orris, crisp bergamot, earthy oakmoss, and rousing musk. Perfumehead calls this scent “an escape”, which is fitting for any summer scent. It’s a break from the mundane, from work emails, from your Zoom calls or commute, and from all other responsibilities.

Tom Ford Mandarino Di Amalfi Eau de Parfum

What’s a summer scent roundup without a coastal Italian ode? That’s what this herbaceous, floral, and citrusy scent is selling to all of those who encounter its transportive powers. There’s a cleanliness to it, too, almost like a soapiness that helps reset the senses and relax the nerves like a long shower after a stressful day. Of all the scents on this roster, many of which are unisex, this is the best one for those couples who like to share a his-and-hers pick; it stays squarely centre of the road, even as it hugs the curves along those Amalfi cliffs.