There is something so wonderful about the wafting aroma of a cozy, simmering pot filling your home during the colder months. The warmth it brings can lift your spirits and calm your soul.
Simmer pots are a simple way to make your home feel even more like the cozy haven you need during the fall and winter seasons. But what exactly are simmer pots, and how can you start making them today?
What Are Simmer Pots?
Simmer pots, also called stovetop potpourri, are a mixture of natural ingredients, such as fruit, spices, and herbs, simmered in hot water on your stove.
The result is a natural, sweet-smelling air freshener that can be customized to your liking. You can use any combination of ingredients you prefer, making it easy to create a scent that perfectly fits your home’s personality.
A common simmer pot recipe is made up of orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and cloves. This classic combination is reminiscent of the holidays, and it’s ideal for creating that warm, cozy feeling we all crave. You can mix and match your ingredients to create your own signature scent.
One of the great things about simmer pots is that they are incredibly easy to make. Simply gather your ingredients, place them in a pot, fill it with water, and let it simmer for a few hours.
You can leave it on the stove to simmer all day long, adding more water as needed. The result will be a deliciously scented home that feels warm and welcoming.
Simmer pots have many benefits, too. They are a natural way to freshen up your home’s scent without using chemical-laden air fresheners.
They can also work as a natural mood booster, as certain scents can calm and relax you. Plus, they can help mask any unpleasant smells in your home, such as cooking odors or pet smells.
1. Apple Cinnamon Simmer Pot (My Personal Favorite)
Perfect for the autumn season, this recipe requires an apple, an orange, some cinnamon sticks, and whole cloves. Simply add all the ingredients to a pot and heat on low.
- 1 apple, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg or 1 whole nutmeg
- 6 whole cloves
- 6 cups water (add more as needed)
2. Lemon, Rosemary, and Vanilla Simmer Pot
Once the weekend arrives, it’s time to relax and unwind. This simmer pot recipe is the perfect way to do just that. Just add vanilla extract, a few sprigs of fresh rosemary, a lemon, and water to a pot and let it simmer on low for the perfect relaxation scent.
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 rosemary sprigs
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 6 cups water (add more as needed)
3. Festive Simmer Pot
This recipe combines the scents of cranberries, cinnamon sticks, cloves, and slices of citrus for a delightful holiday aroma. Simply add the ingredients to a pot with some water and heat on low.
- 1 (12oz) bag Ocean Spray fresh cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg or 1 whole nutmeg
- 6 cups water (add more as needed)
4. Pumpkin Spice Simmer Pot
This recipe requires canned pumpkin, an apple, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, pumpkin pie spice, and vanilla extract. Add all ingredients to a pot with some water (or apple cider/juice) and simmer on low.
- 1/2 cup canned pumpkin
- 1 apple, sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon pumpkin pie spice
- 1 tablespoon vanilla extract
- 6 water or apple cider/juice
5. Winter Simmer Pot
Perfect for the winter season, this recipe requires fresh pine needles, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, apple and orange slices, and cranberries. Add everything to a pot with some water and simmer on low.
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 apple, sliced
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 1/4 cup pine needles
- 1/2 cup cranberries
- 6 cups water (add more as needed)
6. Lemon-Lavender Simmer Pot
This recipe is perfect for a relaxing spa night at home. Simply add a sliced lemon and oranges, dried lavender, and water to a pot and simmer on low.
- 2 lemons, sliced
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 1/3 cup dried lavender
- 6 cups water (add more as needed)
7. Gingerbread Simmer Pot
This recipe requires gingerbread spices, an orange, and cinnamon sticks. Add everything to a pot with some water and simmer on low.
- 1 orange, sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 6 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon ginger
- 3/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg or 1 whole nutmeg
- 6 cups water (add more as needed)
These seven cozy simmer pot recipes are the perfect way to bring warmth and fragrance to your home this season.
Simmer pots are a simple, natural, and effective way to elevate the ambiance of your home this fall and winter. They are incredibly easy to make and totally customizable, so you can create a signature scent that fits perfectly with your home.
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