Winter Simmering Pot Recipe, this stovetop potpourri pot is an easy way to scent your home without harmful chemicals! With oranges, Christmas tree clippings, and cloves, you'll love how this simmer pot makes your home smell like Christmas!
I was talking with my neighbor in her yard last week when I spotted some trimmings from their Christmas tree. We are traveling for the holidays this year so I reluctantly didn't get a live tree.
When I saw my neighbor's cuttings I asked her if I could snag a few branches to make a simmer pot. She kindly allowed me to take some and I ran right home to whip up this delicious smelling Winter Simmer Pot.
Trust me, you're going to want to try this recipe today!
If you've been around this blog for a while you know I'm a HUGE fan of simmer pots. I love the way they make my entire house smell good and I'm not spraying yucky chemicals in the air.
I usually share one or two different combinations I've tried each year (I'll link to all my previous recipes at the bottom of this post!)
What is a simmer pot?
If you're not familiar with making simmer pots (also called simmering pots, stovetop potpourri, or potpourri pots) you're in luck because it's so easy.
You just fill a saucepan with water and add a combination of ingredients and then bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and allow to just barely simmer.
The evaporating water will fill the house with the scent of whatever you added to the pot! Then you can just add more water as needed.
Ingredients
For this winter simmer pot, I used one sliced orange, a few sprigs of Christmas tree cuttings (fir tree branches) and about 12 whole cloves. Seriously, the house just smelled like Christmas, it was amazing!
Variations
You can get so creative experimenting with simmer pots, here are some other scents that would be perfect for winter:
- cranberries
- cinnamon sticks
- star anise
- apples
- vanilla
- allspice
- nutmeg
- lemon
Tips
- You can save the simmer pot ingredients to use the next day by draining them and storing in the fridge in an airtight container.
- If you are entertaining or don't want to keep your eye on the stove you can make this in your slow cooker set to high with the lid off. It will take longer to start scenting the house but once it starts you won't be able to tell the difference!
As promised, here are the previous simmer pot recipes I've shared. If you have a new one for me to try please leave it in the comments!
Karen St. Germain says
Trying this out before giving it out as gifts.. Sounds nice thank you sharing.
Melissa Riker says
You're very welcome!
Emily Cosgrove says
Could you use dried oranges instead, so you don't have to include water?
Melissa Riker says
I'm not sure how you would have a simmer pot without water?
Anita says
did you mean using dried slices in a mason jar for gifting instead of new slices in water? I've never tried making a simmer pot with dried oranges. I would try it out yourself and see if the fragrance still comes through. If you are happy with it then gift away!!
Jill Brown says
If I make these for gifts in a mason jar, do I need to add water to the jars like in the Fall Mason jar recipe?
Melissa Riker says
yes if you are slicing the oranges you'll need them to be in water so they don't go bad
Janet says
thank you I will try your recipes