Christmas Simmer Pot

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Fill your home with the festive aromas of Christmas using our easy Christmas Simmer Pot recipe. Learn how to create cozy holiday scents with simple ingredients like orange slices, cinnamon, and herbs.

a Christmas Simmer Pot

Create a Festive Atmosphere with this Cozy Christmas Scent

It’s beginning to smell a lot like Christmas! Create your own, customized Christmas scent with natural ingredients. Orange slices, lemon slices, cranberries, herbs, and spices combine to make your home smell fresh and festive. This combination is perfect for the holiday season – the mixture of the citrus and spice gives a cheerful and cozy vibe. If you want to make your whole house smell like you’re burning an expensive candle, this is the perfect simmer pot for you! When you’re done simmering your fruit and spices, dry them out on a baking sheet to make potpourri ingredients. Holiday potpourri in a mason jar makes a beautiful gift.

Ingredients for the Perfect Christmas Simmer Pot

  • Orange Slices
  • Lemon Slices
  • Cranberries
  • Rosemary Sprigs
  • Cinnamon Sticks
  • Vanilla
lemon slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, and cranberries on a cutting board


What is a Simmer Pot?

A simmer pot is an all-natural way to create aroma and atmosphere in your home without using a candle. Welcome guests into your home with a delicious scent of warm spices and a small cloud of steam. Typically, you fill the pot with sliced fruits, herbs, and different whole spices to make a soft and subtle scent. Then, you add water and set to a low heat and keep it simmering. It’s so easy – just put your ingredients in fresh water and let simmer for a few hours in a small saucepan. The scent will permeate your home with the most delicious and pleasing scent!

A pot filled with water, lemon slices, peppercorns, rosemary sprigs, and vanilla extract

Simmer Pot Variations to Customize your Holiday Scent

Simmer pots are so versatile, and you can create all sorts of fun scent variations. Get to creating! To start you off, here are some ideas:

  • Classic Simmer Pot- lemon slices, fresh rosemary sprigs, peppercorns, vanilla extract
  • Orange Spice Simmer Pot- orange slices, orange peel, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves
  • Fall Simmer Pot- sliced apple and peel, sliced orange and peel (or tangerine), cinnamon sticks, nutmeg, cloves
  • Christmas Tree Simmer Pot- cinnamon sticks, orange peels, whole cloves, sliced apple and peel, pine, fresh cranberries
  • Star of Christmas Simmer Pot- orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise
  • Zinger Simmer Pot- limes, ginger, sprigs of mint
  • Spicy Spring Simmer Pot- sliced grapefruit, sliced lemon, thyme, vanilla extract, peppercorns

Recipe Tip

a pot filled with lemon slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, cranberries, and water

Keep the heat low – the water should just barely be bubbling. At this low temperature, the pot can last about two hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you used a Crockpot to make a simmer pot?

Yes, this is a great way to make a simmer pot because you don’t have to worry about a flame and you can keep an even, consistent temperature. Check your slow cooker simmer pot periodically to make sure the water hasn’t boiled out or boiled down to an unsafe level.

Can you drink the water from a simmer pot?

No. Because you sometimes put in things like essential oils, these liquids are unsafe to drink.

What do I do with my simmer pot when it’s done?

You can reuse the ingredients in your simmer pot one or two times. Another option is to dry everything out and create your own potpourri! This potpourri can be put into jars and made into gifts.

Read Next: Simmer Pot

a pot filled with lemon slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, cranberries, and water

How to Make a Christmas Simmer Pot

a pot filled with lemon slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, cranberries, and water

Christmas Simmer Pot

5 from 4 votes
Fill your home with the aroma of Christmas using our Christmas Simmer Pot recipe and create the perfect cozy ambiance for any gathering.
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 2 hours
Total Time 2 hours 5 minutes
Course Other
Cuisine DIY
Servings 1 pot

Equipment

Ingredients

  • 2 lemons
  • 1 orange
  • 1 cup cranberries
  • 2 rosemary sprigs
  • 3 cinnamon sticks
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • water

Instructions

  • Thinly slice the lemons and oranges.
    lemon slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, and cranberries on a cutting board
  • Add all ingredients to the pot and then fill the rest of the pot with water. Leave a few inches at the top for boiling.
    a pot filled with lemon slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, cranberries, and water
  • Bring to a boil over medium heat and then turn heat to low. Let simmer for up to 2 hours.
    a pot filled with lemon slices, orange slices, cinnamon sticks, rosemary sprigs, cranberries, and water

Notes

  • If the water level gets low before the two hours is up, then you can add a few more cups of water.
  • Experiment with different fruits and herbs to create a blend that is uniquely you! 
  • Do not leave simmer pot unattended. 

Nutrition Information

Calories: 210kcalCarbohydrates: 57gProtein: 5gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0.2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.1gSodium: 8mgPotassium: 680mgFiber: 19gSugar: 23gVitamin A: 492IUVitamin C: 199mgCalcium: 229mgIron: 3mg

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About the author

Kelsey Crist

Kelsey lives in Washington with her husband, Alex, and two cats, Diana and Nova. Her happy place is in the kitchen listening to an audiobook and trying new recipes. When she's not in the kitchen you can find her hiking, shopping at Trader Joe's, or playing Animal Crossing. Her favorite food is pasta and Alex loves when she makes Homemade Oreos.

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