Christmas Simmer Pot

Christmas Simmer Pot – make your house smell magical with a cozy Christmas stovetop potpourri.

Christmas Simmer Pot

A simmer pot is an easy way to make your house smell amazing and it’s simple to do on the stove top or in a slow cooker. A mix of fresh cranberries, sliced oranges, cinnamon sticks, cloves, star anise, rosemary, and vanilla simmer together to create a festive scent that is perfect for making the house smell absolutely magical!

Ingredients for a Christmas Simmer Pot

Scroll to the end of the post for the recipe card for complete ingredients and instructions.

• Fresh Cranberries – this is the perfect way to use up any leftover cranberries. Even if you used them for decor, you can reuse them for a simmer pot!
• Cinnamon Sticks – I like to buy these in bulk, especially during the holidays. The small jars from the spice aisle can get expensive but you can find inexpensive bulk cinnamon sticks in the ethnic food section of chain grocery stores.
• Cloves and Star Anise – this is a great way to use up small bits of leftover spices. If you don’t have whole, sprinkle in ground spices instead.
• Oranges – a fresh sliced orange is the perfect complement to the cranberries. A lemon would work well too!
• Rosemary – fresh rosemary from the grocery store or your garden. You can use fresh Christmas greenery too! Substitute a few sprigs of pine or cedar.
• Vanilla Extract – I like a touch of vanilla for a little gourmand background scent note.

How to Make a Christmas Simmer Pot

• Add fresh cranberries, cinnamon sticks, star anise, cloves, fresh rosemary, and vanilla to a 4 quart dutch oven and cover with water.
• Bring to a boil, then reduce heat to low.
• Let simmer on low checking water level occasionally and adding more water as needed.

Simmer Pot Tips

• Customize your simmer pot. Use what you have and add more of your favorite smell. I like extra cinnamon!
• Reuse your simmer pot. Let cool and refrigerate the entire pot to reuse the next day.
• Add a little bit of spice. Peppercorns are a fun way to spice up your simmer pot.
• Makes a great gift! Bundle up the ingredients and leave the orange whole. Gift the ingredients alone or with a small pot.
• Adjust as needed. Adjust the amount of water you are using based on the pot size.

How to Use a Slow Cooker to Make a Simmer Pot

Add all ingredients to slow cooker and heat covered on high for about one hour. Covering the slow cooker will help the slow cooker come to temperature more quickly. Once the water is hot, remove lid and turn heat to low. Let heat on low uncovered. Check water level frequently and do not leave unattended.