Christmas Simmer Pot
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A simmering pot of all natural Christmas potpourri is a wonderful way to get into the holiday spirit. It scents the air with your favorite Christmas smells all day long.
Did you know you can infuse your home with holiday scents just by simmering simple ingredients in a pot of water? Using fresh ingredients like citrus fruits, whole spices, and rosemary you can create an amazing holiday fragrance for your home in minutes.
Of course you can also bake a delicious holiday treat like Cranberry Biscotti to make your house smell sweet. You can also try making Christmas Stollen Bread to make your home smell like warm spices and fresh baking sweet bread.
Years ago I would collect all of the holiday scented candles. Whenever guests would come over or I wanted to be in the holiday spirit I would light the candles and enjoy the scents of the season
Now I have a young child and I don’t love lighting candles and leaving them around the house. I still love having the holiday scents around my home though and one way to get that is through a holiday simmer pot.
What is a simmer pot?
A simmer pot is a pot of water filled with various aromatic ingredients that are heated on the stove to release fragrances into the air. This method is often used to create a natural and inviting scent in the home. Simmer pots typically include a combination of ingredients such as fruits, spices, herbs, and essential oils.
The great thing about a simmer pot is that the ingredients are interchangeable. You can use what scents you like for your own home. I actually received my very first Christmas simmer pot as a holiday gift.
Ingredients:
- fresh cranberries (if making for yourself you can use frozen cranberries)
- oranges (clementines or tangerines can also be used)
- cinnamon sticks (whole cinnamon sticks should be used)
- star anise (these smell great and are so pretty)
- sprig of rosemary (I like to use several sprigs in my pot)
- water
To make the simmer pot fill a large pot 3/4 of the way full. Add all of your ingredients. I tend to slice the orange and break the cinnamon sticks in half to get their fragrance going. Stir and bring to a simmer. Leave the pot simmering for as long as you’d like, adding water if needed.
Can I Make a simmer pot in the slow cooker?
You can use the slow cooker as a simmer pot. Fill the slow cooker halfway with water, add your ingredients, and put on the lid. Put the slow cooker on high. Once it starts to steam remove the lid and switch to low heat. Add water as needed.
There are so many different combinations of ingredients that you can use in a Christmas simmer pot. Use things that you have on hand or any combination of the ingredients listed below.
Ingredients to Change the Aroma:
Another fun thing to do is to make simmer pot gift bags or boxes! Simply grab a pretty cellophane bag or a cute box and fill it with an orange, some cranberries, pine or rosemary sprigs, a few cinnamon sticks, and whole star anise.
Of course you can change how you make your own simmer pot gift bag, just make sure you are using ingredients that will last for a few days. Find a pretty ribbon and tie it to your bag or box and then gift it to family and friends.
How long will a simmer pot last?
A simmer pot can last all day long! Simply have your pot on the stove simmering and add water to it as needed. If you only simmer it for a few hours you can even let it cool, put a lid on it, and simmer it again the next day for another few hours.
What do I do with the ingredients when I am finished?
When you are finished with your simmer pot drain the remaining water into the sink. Then you can compost your ingredients, put them in your garden, or dispose of them in the trash. The ingredients are already partially broken down so I usually use them outside.
While this recipe is for a Christmas or holiday simmer pot you can make and enjoy simmer pots throughout the year by changing the ingredients to seasonal fruits, spices, and scents.
Christmas Simmer Pot
Ingredients
- 1/2 c. fresh cranberries
- 1 orange sliced
- 4-6 whole cinnamon sticks broken in half
- 4-5 whole star anise
- 3 sprigs rosemary or evergreen
- 4 c. water
Instructions
- Place everything in a medium sized pot on the stove. Add more water if needed.
- Bring the water to a boil over medium high heat. Give the ingredients a stir and then reduce heat to a simmer.
- Simmer for as long as you'd like, adding water to the pot as needed.
Notes
