Christmas Simmer Pot Recipe
This Christmas Simmer Pot is full of citrus, herbs, and warm spices that will fill your home with the cozy scents of the holiday season. It’s a natural way to fill the entire house with the smells of Christmas.
There is just something so comforting about the smell of cinnamon, rosemary, and citrus during the holiday season that instantly puts you in a festive mood. And, with this easy Christmas stovetop potpourri, your whole house will have this delightful smell in no time.
Do you love DIY recipes? If so, this Pumpkin Pie Spice, Homemade Apple Pie Spice, or Homemade Gingerbread Spice Mix is something you are going to want to try!
Table of Contents
Reasons You’ll Love This Recipe
- Easy to make: It’s super easy to make and only requires a few fresh ingredients that you probably already have in your kitchen.
- Wholesome: Unlike candles or air fresheners, this simmer pot is all-natural and contains no artificial scents.
- Great For Gifts: These make beautiful homemade gifts for family, neighbors, and friends.
Recipe Ingredients
Ingredient Notes:
- Water
- Orange
- Grapefruit
- Cranberries
- Rosemary
- Anise
- Cinnamon sticks
- Whole cloves
See the recipe card below for a complete list of ingredients and measurements.
Substitutions and Additions
- You can use grapefruit and orange peel instead of whole fresh fruit.
- I like to use whole spices. However, you can add ground spices to this recipe instead. However, it will not have as strong of a scent as whole spices.
- If you don’t plan on drinking this, add essential oils to your pot for an even greater aroma.
- You can also add fresh pine needles to give it a more earthy scent.
How to Make Christmas Simmer Pot Gifts (step-by-step directions)
Step 1: Slice the orange and grapefruit into thin slices. Place them on a baking sheet, then dry them in the oven.
Step 2: For jars, fill the jars with all the ingredients, and then fill the remaining space with water.
Step 3: For bags, you will need to use dried fruit. Add all the ingredients to a gift bag and tie it with a pretty ribbon.
Step 4: To use, add all the ingredients to a large pot and fill it with 6-8 cups of water. Simmer for 2-3 hours, adding more water as needed.
Recipe Tips
- A simmer pot is not intended for drinking; however, it is edible/drinkable as long as you do not add essential oils or pine to it. It will taste like a spiced fruit tea.
- If you use this holiday simmer pot at home, you don’t need to dry the fruit. You can add it all to your pot or slow cooker instead of taking the time to dry the fruit.
- Each simmer pot can be cooled and reused 3-5 times. Just keep in mind that your pot will lose less and less of its scent every time it’s used.
- If you use this recipe in a slow cooker, fill the slow cooker 3/4 the way full, add the ingredients, and turn the slow cooker on high for 2-3 hours without the lid on.
Storing Tips
- Refrigerator: Once your ingredients have cooled completely to room temperature, you can store the pot in the fridge to reuse for another day. It can be stored for about a week.
- Gifts: You can make smaller batches of this simmer pot and give it as a gift. Place all the ingredients in a small mason jar. or gift bag. If you are using a gift, you must dry the fruits.
Serving Suggestions
I love to use this simmer pot during holiday parties while we enjoy all of our favorite holiday treats and eats. Some of my go-to recipes for the holiday are Whipped Vanilla Shortbread Cookies, Eggnog Shooter With Spiced Rum, and Christmas Cranberry Mimosas. These recipes are a great way to add extra flare to your holiday parties.
Recipe FAQs
A simmer pot is designed to add a holiday aroma to your whole house. It makes it feel warm and inviting.
You can let your pot simmer for 2-3 hours. Just make sure that you keep an eye on the water level.
To gift a Christmas simmer pot, place all the ingredients in a small mason jar or gift bag. You can also add a festive tag or printable with instructions for using the pot.
Yes, simmer pots add a festive scent to your home. I believe they are the best way to get your house smelling like Christmas.
A simmer pot lasts 2-3 hours on the stove and for 3-5 uses.
Need More Christmas Recipes? Try These:
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Christmas Simmer Pot Recipe
Equipment
- Large pot or slow cooker
Ingredients
- 6-8 cups (1 3/7 l) water or enough to fill a pot 3/4 of the way full
- 1 large orange sliced
- 1 large grapefruit sliced
- 1 cup (100 g) cranberries
- 3-4 sprigs rosemary
- 4-6 star anise
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
Instructions
- Fill a large pot 3/4 the way full of water and add the rest of the ingredients.6-8 cups water,1 large orange,1 large grapefruit,1 cup cranberries,3-4 sprigs rosemary,4-6 star anise,3-4 cinnamon sticks,1 tablespoon whole cloves
- Simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, adding more water as needed.
Dehydrated Citrus Slices Directions
- Cut the fruit into 1/8 to 1/4-inch slices.
- Preheat the oven to 200 degrees F.
- Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Place the fruit slices on the baking sheet, in a single layer with some space in between.
- Pat the fruit slices with paper towels.
- Bake for 2-3 hours and flipping every 30 minutes to prevent burning.
- Cool completely before adding to gifts.
Notes
- A simmer pot is not intended for drinking; however, it is edible/drinkable as long as you do not add essential oils or pine to it. It will taste like a spiced fruit tea.
- If you use this holiday simmer pot at home, you don’t need to dry the fruit. You can add it all to your pot or slow cooker instead of taking the time to dry the fruit.
- Each simmer pot can be cooled and reused 3-5 times. Just keep in mind that your pot will lose less and less of its scent every time it’s used.
- If you use this recipe in a slow cooker, fill the slow cooker 3/4 the way full, add the ingredients, and turn the slow cooker on high for 2-3 hours without the lid on.
Nutrition Information
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