In various aspects, a synthetic diesel fuel composition is provided that comprises at least three C10-C18 hydrocarbon compounds selected from the group consisting of decane, butylcyclohexane, hexylbenzene, hexylcyclohexane, octylbenzene, octylcyclohexane, decylbenzene, decylcyclohexane, dodecylbenzene, and dodecylcyclohexane. The synthetic diesel fuel composition also comprises at least one aromatic hydrocarbon compound at greater than or equal to about 10 vol. % of the total composition. Such synthetic diesel fuel compositions have a cetane number of greater than 40, a freeze point of less than or equal to about −20° C. (about −4° F.), and a density of greater than or equal to about 0.81 g/ml (about 6.8 lb/gal) and may be synthesized from biomass or other alternative fuel sources.