The dispersal syndrome hypothesis poses that animal-mediated seed dispersal led to the evolution of fruit traits that match the physical, sensory and behavioral attributes of mutualistic frugivores. Previous work has provided mixed support for this hypothesis and few studies have addressed complex traits such as fruit scent, even though these chemical signals are a primarily means through which many mammalian frugivores identify ripe fruit. Here, we investigate whether volatile compounds emitted by the fruits of neotropical pepper plants (Piper spp.) evolved in response to seed dispersal by scent-oriented bats (Carollia spp.). To test this hypothesis, we conducted phylogenetic comparative analyses that relate the diet of three Carollia species, experimentally-derived bat scent preferences, and fruit scent chemical composition across 22 Piper species in a locality in Costa Rica. We demonstrate that fruit scent chemical composition lacks a phylogenetic signal; instead, chemical diversity and presence of specific compounds fit adaptive evolutionary scenarios that are consistent with increased bat consumption and chemical preferences. Specifically, Carollia prefer certain compounds, particularly 2-heptanol, which evolved as a unique feature of Piper species highly consumed by these bats. While other abiotic and biotic processes likely helped shape the chemical diversity of Piper ripe fruit scent, the evolutionary patterns of some chemical components are consistent with a bat dispersal syndrome.