A Christmas simmer pot is the perfect way to fill your home with cozy holiday scents. Learn how to make an easy stovetop potpourri with natural ingredients.
I'll share my tips for gifting, storage. Try this beginner-friendly simmer pot recipe for the ultimate festive experience.
Looking for more holiday ideas? Try our wreath charcuterie board.
Easy Christmas Simmer Pot recipe
A Christmas simmer pot is a delightful way to infuse your home with the essence of the season.
This easy stovetop potpourri combines warm spices, citrus, and cranberries to create a holiday atmosphere everyone will love.
Whether you’re hosting guests or curling up with a good book, this aromatic blend is perfect for setting the mood.
Plus, it makes a thoughtful holiday gift idea, whether dried and packaged as a Christmas simmer pot bag or fresh in a mason jar.
What is a simmer pot?
A simmer pot, also known as stovetop potpourri, is a blend of aromatic ingredients gently heated in water.
As the mixture simmers, it releases natural scents that fill your home with a cozy and inviting fragrance.
Simmer pots are especially popular during the holidays, making them an excellent way to embrace the season.
Why you'll love this
Easy to Make: Simple ingredients and minimal effort deliver a cozy holiday ambiance.
Customizable Gift Option: Create fresh or dry Christmas simmer pot gifts for family and friends.
Natural and Non-Toxic: Enjoy a festive home smell without synthetic fragrances.
Versatile: Use it on the stovetop, in a crockpot, or in a decorative glass simmer pot.
Ingredients
Cinnamon sticks: Adds warm, comforting spice to the blend.
Whole Cloves: Enhances the aroma with a rich, festive scent.
Star Anise: Delivers a subtle aroma
Orange: Provides a fresh, citrusy aroma
Grapefruit: Adds a refreshing twist.
Fresh Cranberries: Offer a pop of color and mild fruitiness.
Fresh Rosemary: Brings an earthy, evergreen aroma reminiscent of Christmas trees.
* Need to print this out ? You’ll find a printable recipe card at the end of this post. Enjoy!
Recommended Tools for this recipe
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- Dutch oven
- Chopping board
- Knife
- Mason jar
- Gift bags
- Ribbons
How to make Christmas simmer pot
Fill a large pot ¾ full of water and add all the ingredients.
Start on medium heat to bring to a simmer, then reduce to low and simmer on low heat for 2 to 3 hours, adding water as needed to prevent the simmering pot from drying out.
When you are done simmering, let it cool completely, then store in the refrigerator. Reuse for up to 2 to 3 days, adding fresh water each time.
If you don't intend to reuse, drain and use the ingredients as compost or discard right away.
Gifting Options
Dehydrated Bags: Combine dried ingredients in festive bags for an easy-to-store Christmas simmer pot gift.
Fresh in Mason Jars: Assemble the ingredients in a jar, add a ribbon, and include a note to refrigerate until used.
DIY Kits: Create holiday simmer pot kits with instructions for crafting a stovetop or crockpot simmer pot.
How to store
Fresh Ingredients: If assembling a fresh Christmas simmer pot, store the ingredients in an airtight container or mason jar. Keep refrigerated and use within 3–5 days for the best fragrance.
Dehydrated Ingredients: For a dry Christmas simmer pot, thoroughly dry the ingredients and store them in airtight bags or jars. Keep in a cool, dark place for up to 6 months.
Leftover Simmer Pot: After using the simmer pot, let it cool completely. Transfer it to a sealed container and refrigerate. Reheat within 1–2 days for continued use.
Helpful Tips
Start Small: Use a small pot or slow cooker to test your blend before scaling up.
Stay Hydrated: Keep an eye on the water level to prevent burning.
Experiment: Mix and match ingredients for your signature Christmas stovetop potpourri.
FAQs
Yes! Let it cool, refrigerate, and reheat it the next day. The fragrance will gradually fade, so it’s best used within 1–2 days.
While this recipe isn’t specifically designed for drinking, it’s safe to consume as long as you don’t add essential oils or any other inedible ingredients.
You may think of it as a highly spiced citrus tea. Do not let the water fully evaporate or it would be too concentrated.
Disclaimer: this is for information purposes and is in no way a recommendation to drink it.
Absolutely. Dehydrate the ingredients thoroughly and store them in an airtight container or Christmas simmer pot bags.
Yes, a crockpot is an excellent option for a long-lasting holiday simmer pot with less monitoring.
More Christmas ideas
- Santa hat brownies
- Christmas tree charcuterie
- Snowman Rice Krispie treats
- Check out all our Home Cooked Recipes
A Christmas simmer pot is a simple way to fill your home with the magic of the season.
Whether simmering it for your family or gifting it as a thoughtful present, this holiday tradition is bound to bring joy.
Ready to make your own? Grab your ingredients, follow the tips above, and enjoy the festive scents all season long!
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Christmas Simmer Pot
Ingredients
- 4 Cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon Whole cloves
- 4 to 5 Star anise
- 1 large Orange (sliced)
- 1 large Grapefruit (sliced)
- 1 cup Fresh cranberries
- 3 to 5 Fresh rosemary sprigs
- 6 to 8 cups water
Instructions
Stovetop
- Slice the orange and grapefruit into thin rounds. Rinse the cranberries and rosemary sprigs.
- Add the cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, star anise, orange slices, grapefruit slices, cranberries, and rosemary to a medium-sized pot.
- Fill the pot with water about ¾ full, ensuring the ingredients are fully submerged. Leave some space at the top to prevent overflow.
- Place the pot on the stovetop over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer, then reduce the heat to maintain a low simmer.
- Let the simmer pot release its festive fragrance, adding water as needed to keep the ingredients covered.
- If you want to reuse the simmer pot, allow it to cool, refrigerate, and reheat it within 2 to 3 days. Make sure to top up with water as you simmer.
Slow cooker method
- Fill the cooker about ¾ full with water, add the ingredients, and set it to high. Cook uncovered for 2–3 hours, adding water as needed to maintain the water level.
- Alternatively cook on low for 6 to 8 hours replenishing the water as needed.
Making a Mason Jar Simmer Pot Gift
- Fill a 32-ounce mason jar with sliced oranges, grapefruit, cranberries, rosemary sprigs, star anise, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
- Pour cool water into the jar, filling it to the top, then tightly seal with a lid.
- Tie a festive ribbon around the jar and attach a gift tag. Include simple instructions like:“Place contents in a pot, add water, and simmer for 2–3 hours. Enjoy the festive aroma!”
- Be sure to keep the jar refrigerated until ready to gift to ensure freshness.
Making Dehydrated Citrus for Gift Bags
- Cut oranges and grapefruit into ⅛- to ¼-inch thick slices to ensure they dry faster.
- Preheat the oven to 200°F and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay the citrus slices in a single layer and pat dry with a paper towel.
- Place the sheet in the oven and bake for 2–3 hours, flipping the slices every 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Let the citrus slices cool completely before assembling into gift bags with other dried ingredients.
- This method creates long-lasting, beautiful components perfect for creating dry Christmas simmer pot bags!
Notes
- For a stronger fragrance, you can add a few drops of essential oils, ground spices, or even flower petals to the mix.
- While cranberries don’t contribute much scent, they add a festive, decorative touch. Feel free to omit them if desired.
- Try Other Fruits: Sliced apples or other citrus fruits make excellent additions to this simmer pot.
- If you’d rather not slice the orange and grapefruit, you can use just their peels. Both fresh and dried peels work well, and any citrus fruit can be substituted.
