Description
Discover the cozy charm of simmering pot recipes perfect for filling your home with delightful seasonal aromas. These simmering pots use a blend of dried or fresh fruits, herbs, spices, and other natural elements to create festive and comforting fragrances. Easy to prepare and customizable, these simmering pots are ideal for holiday gatherings or everyday relaxation.
Ingredients
Scale
Christmas Simmering Pot
- 4 dried orange slices or freshly sliced orange
- 1 tablespoon dried cranberries or 1/4 cup fresh cranberries
- 1 tablespoon cedar shavings
- 2–3 pine sprigs
- 2 bay leaves
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon rosemary or fresh rosemary sprig
- 1/2 teaspoon cardamom seeds
- 1 small Christmas simmer pot label
- 1 large Christmas simmer pot label
Thanksgiving Simmering Pot
- 4 dried orange slices or freshly sliced orange
- 2 tablespoons dried cranberries or 1/4 cup fresh cranberries
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon whole allspice
- 1 small Thanksgiving simmering pot label
- 1 large Thanksgiving simmering pot label
Autumn Simmer Pot
- 3 dried apple slices or half a freshly sliced apple
- 3 dried orange slices or half a freshly sliced orange
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon dried crystallized ginger or fresh ginger
- 1 teaspoon whole cloves
- 1 small autumn simmer pot label
- 1 large autumn simmer pot label
Winter Simmering Pot
- 2–3 pine sprigs
- 1 tablespoon cedar chips
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves or fresh mint leaves
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 1 small winter simmer pot label
- 1 large winter simmer pot label
Spring Simmer Pot
- 4 lemon slices or fresh lemon slices
- 4 grapefruit slices or fresh grapefruit slices
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme or fresh thyme sprig
- 1 small spring simmer pot label
- 1 large spring simmer pot label
Summer Simmering Pot
- 2 tablespoons coconut flakes seasoned with coconut extract
- 5 dried lime slices or 1 freshly sliced lime
- 2 vanilla bean pieces
- 2 bamboo sticks soaked in almond extract
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves or fresh mint leaves
- 1 small summer simmer pot label
- 1 large summer simmer pot label
Coffee Shop Simmer Pot
- 1/4 cup coffee beans
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 bamboo sticks soaked in almond extract or 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
- 1 small coffee shop simmer pot label
- 1 large coffee shop simmer pot label
Kitchen Simmering Pot
- 6 lemon slices or freshly sliced lemon
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1 teaspoon dried rosemary or fresh rosemary sprig
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 small kitchen simmer pot label
- 1 large kitchen simmer pot label
Relaxing Simmering Pot
- 2 tablespoons dried lavender flowers
- 3 dried lavender sprigs
- 2 vanilla bean pieces or 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 chamomile tea bag
- 1 small relaxing simmer pot label
- 1 large relaxing simmer pot label
Refreshing Simmering Pot
- 8 lime slices or 2 freshly sliced limes
- 1 tablespoon dried crystallized ginger or fresh ginger
- 1 tablespoon peppercorn
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves or fresh mint leaves
- 1 small refreshing simmer pot label
- 1 large refreshing simmer pot label
Stress Relief Simmering Pot
- 6 lemon slices or freshly sliced lemon
- 3 eucalyptus sprigs
- 1 tablespoon dried mint leaves or fresh mint leaves
- 1 small stress relief simmer pot label
- 1 large stress relief simmer pot label
Instructions
- Prepare Dried Fruits: Cut fruit into thin slices, pat dry with paper towels, and lay them evenly on parchment-lined baking sheets. Bake at 225˚F for 1 1/2 to 2 1/2 hours, flipping slices occasionally to prevent burning. The fruit is done when dry and no longer sticky.
- Soak Bamboo Sticks: Soak bamboo sticks in almond extract and let them dry completely before adding them to the jars to add a fragrant note.
- Season Coconut Flakes: Pour one teaspoon of coconut extract over coconut flakes and stir well to coat. Allow to dry before placing in jars.
- Assemble Simmering Pot Jars: Place all chosen ingredients into mason jars and attach the appropriate seasonal label with baker’s twine for easy identification and gifting.
- Use Dried Simmering Pot: Fill a pot 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add the contents of a simmering pot jar. Keep the water at a gentle simmer, adding water as needed to maintain at least half full.
- Use Fresh Simmering Pot: For fresh variants, fill a pot 3/4 full with water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and add fresh fruit slices, spices, and herbs as specified by the recipe. Simmer gently, replenishing water to keep more than halfway full.
Notes
- Watch dried fruit carefully when baking to avoid burning, especially thinner slices that dry faster.
- Use either dried or fresh ingredients based on availability and preference; fresh ingredients tend to release aroma more quickly.
- Simmer pots are excellent for creating festive ambiance without artificial fragrances.
- Adjust ingredient quantities according to pot size and desired aroma intensity.
- To prolong scent, replenish simmer water regularly and keep on low heat; avoid boiling vigorously.
- Labels help identify different simmer pot blends, making them great for gifting or decor.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Category: Beverage & Fragrance
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: American
Keywords: Simmering pot, potpourri, holiday scent, natural fragrance, dried fruit, seasonal aroma, stovetop simmer, DIY home fragrance
