Can you drink a simmer pot?

This recipe isn’t created for sipping, but rather as a natural fragrance to fill your home. However, as long as you use only food-based ingredients, you could drink the liquid from a simmer pot. If you do plan to drink it, I recommend using apple juice or cider as the base. You could then add food-based ingredients that produce a desirable flavor you would want to sip on, similar to a homemade simmering apple cider. You would also want to drink it during the first use.

Can I make a simmer pot in a slow cooker or crock pot?

Yes, you can make a simmer pot in a slow cooker! Simply follow the instructions as written but just use a slow cooker, instead. Turn your crock pot or slow cooker on high, and – when it starts to steam – remove the lid and switch the pot to the low heat setting. Make sure to add water as needed.

What essential oils can I use for a Christmas scent in my simmer pot?

I would recommend using essential oils like vanilla, cardamom, and/or a Christmas-based oil blend for a holiday simmer pot. However, we all have our own individual preferences when it comes to scents, so I would suggest also considering oils like chamomile, bergamot, and/or spruce.

Are simmer pots only for the holidays?

Simmer pots are something you can enjoy year round. By changing up the ingredients you can make a simmer pot that’s suitable for any seasons or occasion. For this particular simmer pot recipe, I like to make it during the holidays so my Thanksgiving and Christmas guests can enjoy the wonderful seasonal scent, too.

Christmas Simmer Pot (Easy + Simple Stovetop Potpourri)

Servings: 1 simmer pot 1x

Ingredients

Water*
1–2 cups whole fresh or frozen cranberries (enough to cover the surface of the water)
1 large orange, sliced**
2–4 rosemary and/or pine
4–6 cinnamon sticks
1–2 tablespoons whole cloves
1–2 tablespoons allspice berries
1 teaspoon ground nutmeg

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Instructions

Fill a large pot 3/4 full with water and place over high heat.
Add all of the ingredients to the pot.
Bring the liquid to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer on low for 2-3 hours. Add more water, as needed, so there is always some liquid in the pot.
After simmering for a few hours, allow to cool, and then cover the pot and let it sit on the turned-off stove until the next day.

Note: If you do not want to keep the pot for another day and are done with it, simply strain out the liquid and compost or dispose of the ingredients after the pot has cooled.

Next Day Instructions

When ready to heat it up again the next day, remove the lid and bring it to a simmer, adding fresh water as needed so there is always liquid in the pot.
When you’re done with the simmer pot, strain out the liquid and compost or dispose of the ingredients.

Notes

*May substitute apple juice or apple cider in place of water.

**May substitute dried orange slices or another citrus in place of a fresh orange.

Recipe By: Stacie Hassing