Simmer pots are one of my favorite ways to make my home smell cozy and festive around the holidays.
They are so easy to put together and you can easily customize to your own preferences or based on what you have on hand.
This is also a fun and festive simple gift idea that would be perfect for teachers, neighbors, and friends. You can read this blog post where I share more simple and inexpensive gift ideas for friends and neighbors.
What is a simmer pot?
A potpourri simmer pot is where you put ingredients like dried fruit and spices into a small sauce pan or crockpot, cover it with water, and allow to simmer. A crockpot works well for this also.
As the mixture simmers, it creates a lovely scent from the combined fruit, herbs, and spices. It is a wonderful alternative to burning candles which often contain fragrances that are very harmful to our bodies.
Ingredients for a simmer pot
You can really use any combination of fruit and spices that you like and it’s fun to experiment with different combinations and find your favorite.
Here’s a few of my favorites:
Cranberries – Fresh (or frozen) cranberries. Not only are they super pretty, but they add a delightful light scent.
Orange slices – You can use fresh or dried, but the citrus blended with cranberry is such a festive scent. Dried slices work best if you are gifting them in a jar.
Cinnamon sticks – Just one of the coziest scents for this time of year and looks so pretty in a jar.
Whole cloves – Another warm spice that pairs so well with citrus.
Star Anise – This one can be hard to find, but the star shaped spice is so festive.
Rosemary – Fresh sprigs of rosemary not only look festive, but add a nice earthy element to the scent.
How do I make a simmer pot?
Literally one of the easiest things ever. Just add all the ingredients to a small saucepan, cover with water, and simmer away!
I’ll share some basic ratios, but feel free to play with it and find what you like best!
Here’s the basic recipe:
- 1 orange, sliced or quartered
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 3-4 star anise pods
- 1 TB whole cloves
- 1-2 sprigs rosemary
How to dry orange slices
- Start by cutting your oranges into slices about ¼ inch thick and spread them into a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees and bake the oranges for 3-4 hours or until dried out.
- Be sure and check them frequently to avoid burning.
- Once they are dried, allow to cool and then use them in your simmer pot, add to a mason for a festive gift, or string onto twine to make a garland for your tree.
They are truly so beautiful and festive.
Practical tips for simmer pots
Pro tip for your simmer pot! Once the water simmers down, just cover the same ingredients with more water and continue to simmer. It will still smell amazing!
I like to simmer 2-3 times or until the scent has really softened.
If you want to be really frugal and don’t care so much about the appearance, save orange peels after eating the flesh and use the rind in the simmer pot.
These potpourri simmer pots are so festive and make your house smell amazing and cozy in the winter. I hope you’ll give it a try!
