Christmas Simmering Pot
Does your house smell like the holidays? It definitely will once you've made this Christmas Simmering Pot with warm, sweet, and citrusy notes that'll fill your home and give you a boost of Christmas cheer!
If you love this Christmas Simmering Pot, try Christmas Simmering Pot Kits or Instant Pot Wine!
Add to the ambiance of the holidays with this easy Christmas Simmering Pot. The freshly sliced fruit and fresh cranberries add a pop of color and citrusy sweet aroma, combined with warm spices, and a herbaceous twist thanks to the sprigs of thyme.
It's a great alternative to bowls of dry potpourri or those cringe store-bought fresheners that we can all detect a mile away (and not in the good way!)!
WHY OUR RECIPE FOR A HOLIDAY SIMMERING POT
- You only need 7-8 ingredients in total, including water, to make this easy Christmas simmering pot. You likely have many of these ingredients in your home during the holidays from other recipes.
- The fresh, sweet, and warm aroma from this Christmas simmering pot will waft throughout the house, providing a welcoming atmosphere for your guests on Christmas day and during the holidays.
- Easily reuse this simmering pot up to 5 times by adding some water and reheating! It's a no-fuss way to always have an amazing-smelling house!
This Christmas Simmering Pot recipe provides the perfect foundation if you feel adventurous enough this holiday to experiment with dried fruit, fruit peels, or even a few drops of your favorite essential oils!
Why stop there though? You could even make Simmering Pot Kits and gift them to your friends and family. Spread the cheer AND the good aroma!!
INGREDIENT NOTES
- Water – You'll need enough to fill a pot 3/4 of the way full.
- Orange – Use a large orange or 2 small oranges. This adds a lovely sweet aroma. You can use orange peels instead, if you like.
- Grapefruit – You'll need a large grapefruit. Grapefruit peels can be used instead.
- Cranberries – These don't have a very strong aroma and have been added mainly for decorative purposes. If you like, you can omit them completely.
- Rosemary – This adds a lovely herbaceous smell.
- Star anise – Adds a sweet, licorice-like aroma.
- Cinnamon – Use cinnamon sticks for warm and rich aromas.
- Whole Cloves – For a warm, sweet aroma.
MAKING CHRISTMAS SIMMERING POT IN A SLOW COOKER
If you're eager to try making this simmering pot with a different method, making it in a slow cooker or Crockpot is a great alternative to the traditional stovetop method.
Simply fill the slow cooker pot ¾ full of water and add the rest of ingredients. Turn the Crockpot to HIGH and cook it uncovered for 2-3 hours, adding more water as needed.
It's as simple as that!
WHAT ABOUT DEHYDRATED FRUIT AND PEELS?
I love to use fresh fruit in my simmering pots when I want it to be on display during those special occasions. The fresh fruit really gives it a pop of color and just looks beautiful.
That said, you could absolutely use dehydrated fruit instead, fruit peels, or a combination. The dehydrated fruit is a great option if you want to make a DIY simmering pot kit to gift to your friends and family, just like I've done with these Christmas Simmering Pot Kits!
STORAGE INSTRUCTIONS
- Room Temperature: Left in the pot on the stove with the lid on, this Christmas simmering pot will last about 2-3 days.
- Refrigeration: Once completely cool, this simmering pot can be stored in the pot with the lid or in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 7 days.
- Reheat: Leftover Christmas simmering pot mixture can be refreshed with added water and additional fresh ingredients and then heated on the stove over low to medium heat.
- Freezer: It's possible to freeze this Christmas simmering pot once it has fully cooled as a way to preserve it for longer for later use. Store it in an airtight container or Ziploc bags in the freezer for up to 2-3 months. Thaw it in the fridge and reheat on the stovetop with additional water.
MORE FRUITY HOLIDAY RECIPES
Christmas Simmering Pot
Ingredients
- 6-8 cups water or enough to fill a pot 3/4 of the way full
- 1 large orange sliced
- 1 large grapefruit sliced
- 1 cup cranberries
- 3-4 sprigs rosemary
- 4-6 star anise
- 3-4 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
Instructions
- Fill a large pot 3/4 full of water and add the rest of the ingredients.
- Simmer on low heat for 2-3 hours, adding more water as needed as the water evaporates.
- Once done, allow to cool completely before covering and storing in the refrigerator. It can be reused for 2-3 days, just add more water each use!
Tried this recipe?
Let us know how it was!FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Not really. A simmering pot is used to make the home smell great! While the mixture is safe to drink, it's highly concentrated and could cause stomach issues to those with sensitive digestion. It's best if you think of it like potpourri.
This Christmas simmering pot can be reused up to 3-5 times. Keep in mind that the strength of the aroma will lessen every time you use it. Simply add more water to the stored mixture and reheat it, using the same method as outlined in the recipe card.
Absolutely! Only add a few drops of essential oils to this simmering pot and make sure that no one drinks it like a citrusy tea. Essential oils that would work well in this Christmas simmering pot include vanilla, cinnamon, and citrus.
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