Last Updated on 10/25/2024 by Nell Marie
If you’re looking to make your home smell amazing without candles or sprays, simmer pots are a simple and natural way to fill your space with delightful aromas.
A simmer pot is basically a stovetop potpourri that uses water, fruits, spices, and herbs to create an inviting scent that’s perfect for any season or occasion.
In this article, you’ll find 22 unique simmer pot recipes, each bringing its own special vibe—from cozy autumn spices to fresh, citrusy blends.
Just add the ingredients to a pot, let it simmer, and enjoy the comforting atmosphere it creates!
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I absolutely love using simmer pot recipes in the fall and winter to make my home feel extra cozy and inviting.
There’s something so comforting about filling a pot with cinnamon sticks, oranges, cloves, and whatever seasonal ingredients I have on hand, then letting it simmer on the stove.
The warm, spiced scents remind me of everything I love about the cooler months—snuggling up with a blanket, sipping a hot drink, and just enjoying the season.
It’s an easy way to keep my home smelling wonderful without any harsh chemicals, and it always seems to put me and anyone who visits in a warm, relaxed mood.
22 Simmer Pot Recipes
These simmer pot recipes will fill your home with delightful, cozy scents without the fumes and chemicals often found in candles.
1. Cinnamon & Orange Bliss
Ingredients: 1 orange (sliced), 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp whole cloves’
This simmer pot is a classic, cozy scent that brings the warmth of citrus and spice into your home. The orange provides a bright, refreshing aroma, while cinnamon and cloves add a hint of earthy sweetness. Perfect for a cool fall or winter day!
2. Apple Pie Delight
Ingredients: 1 apple (sliced), 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Smells like a fresh-baked apple pie! This combination of apple, cinnamon, and vanilla brings the deliciously warm and inviting scent of baking into your space. It’s ideal for when you want to add a comforting, homey vibe.
3. Citrus Mint Refresh
Ingredients: 1 lemon (sliced), 1 orange (sliced), a handful of fresh mint
Bright and invigorating, this simmer pot blends the zest of lemon and orange with the crispness of mint. It’s a great recipe for spring cleaning days or anytime you want to refresh and energize your space with a clean, uplifting scent.
4. Spicy Autumn Spice
Ingredients: 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tbsp whole cloves, 1 star anise pod
This rich, spicy blend has all the warmth of autumn in a pot. The deep, slightly licorice-like scent of star anise pairs with cinnamon and cloves to create a comforting aroma reminiscent of fall gatherings and cozy evenings.
5. Woodsy Pine & Rosemary
Ingredients: A few sprigs of pine, 2 sprigs of rosemary, 1 tsp whole cloves
Earthy and fresh, this blend of pine and rosemary brings the scent of a winter forest indoors. With pine’s refreshing aroma and rosemary’s herbal notes, this recipe is grounding and calming, ideal for a crisp winter day.
6. Fall Harvest Medley
Ingredients: 1 apple (sliced), 1 orange (sliced), 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tsp cloves
This medley of apple, orange, cinnamon, and cloves creates a sweet and spicy blend reminiscent of harvest season. Perfect for fall, it fills your space with a warm, inviting scent that feels like a cozy hug.
7. Cozy Vanilla & Lavender
Ingredients: 1 tbsp vanilla extract, 2 tbsp dried lavender
Soft and soothing, this recipe brings a calm, spa-like atmosphere into your home. The subtle sweetness of vanilla combines with the floral, calming aroma of lavender, making it perfect for a relaxing evening or winding down after a busy day.
8. Holiday Peppermint Twist
Ingredients: 1 peppermint tea bag, 1 tsp vanilla extract, fresh cranberries (a handful)
This festive combination smells like a candy cane with a twist! The mint is bright and refreshing, while vanilla and cranberries add a hint of sweetness. It’s the perfect choice to bring holiday cheer to your home.
9. Lemon Rosemary Freshness
Ingredients: 1 lemon (sliced), 2 sprigs of rosemary, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Lemon and rosemary create an energizing yet calming scent, perfect for spring or summer. The lemon brightens up any space, while rosemary adds an earthy touch that feels both refreshing and grounding.
10. Pumpkin Spice Latte
Ingredients: 2 cinnamon sticks, 1 tbsp pumpkin pie spice, 1 tsp vanilla extract
The ultimate cozy fall scent, this simmer pot smells just like a pumpkin spice latte. With the spiced notes of cinnamon and pumpkin, this blend makes your home feel warm and festive for autumn gatherings.
11. Eucalyptus & Mint Calm
Ingredients: A handful of eucalyptus leaves, a few fresh mint leaves, 1 lemon (sliced)
Eucalyptus and mint come together to create a cool, invigorating scent that’s perfect for a refreshing start to the day. With the addition of lemon, this blend is both soothing and rejuvenating, ideal for a spa-like atmosphere.
12. Warm Cranberry & Clove
Ingredients: Fresh cranberries (a handful), 1 tsp whole cloves, 1 orange (sliced)
Sweet and subtly spicy, this cranberry and clove combo is a festive winter favorite. With the addition of orange, it’s reminiscent of holiday gatherings and winter celebrations, filling your home with a rich, seasonal aroma.
13. Lemon Ginger Zest
Ingredients: 1 lemon (sliced), 1-inch piece of fresh ginger (sliced), a few mint leaves
This zesty blend of lemon, ginger, and mint is both energizing and comforting. With its bright, clean aroma, it’s a great way to refresh your home after cooking or on warm days.
14. Apple Cranberry Bliss
Ingredients: 1 apple (sliced), fresh cranberries (a handful), 2 cinnamon sticks
This simmer pot is as pretty as it is fragrant! The combination of apple, cranberry, and cinnamon creates a sweet, cozy aroma that’s perfect for fall and winter, filling your space with holiday cheer.
15. Orange & Star Anise Spice
Ingredients: 1 orange (sliced), 1 star anise pod, 1 cinnamon stick
Bright and bold, this blend of orange and star anise with cinnamon has a unique twist. The slightly licorice scent of star anise adds depth, while orange brings a fresh, vibrant note for a sophisticated holiday scent.
16. Bay Leaf & Citrus
Ingredients: 1 lemon (sliced), 2-3 bay leaves, 1 tsp vanilla extract
Earthy and grounding, this bay leaf and citrus combination has an unexpected yet delightful fragrance. The bay leaves add depth, and the lemon keeps it fresh, making it perfect for any season.
17. Apple Cinnamon Ginger
Ingredients: 1 apple (sliced), 2 cinnamon sticks, 1-inch piece of fresh ginger
Sweet, warm, and with a hint of spice, this blend smells like a cozy bakery. The ginger adds a touch of warmth, while apple and cinnamon keep things classic and comforting.
18. Winter Woods
Ingredients: A few sprigs of cedar or pine, 2 cinnamon sticks, fresh cranberries
This recipe brings the fresh, crisp scent of the winter outdoors into your home. With cedar, cinnamon, and cranberries, it’s a cozy, woodsy scent that’s perfect for a winter wonderland ambiance.
19. Coconut Vanilla Dream
Ingredients: 1 tbsp coconut extract, 1 tbsp vanilla extract, 1 cinnamon stick
This tropical-inspired blend combines the creamy sweetness of coconut with warm vanilla and cinnamon. It’s a cozy-yet-beachy scent that feels luxurious and comforting, perfect for any time of year.
20. Fall Orange & Spice
Ingredients: 1 orange (sliced), 1 tsp whole cloves, 1 tbsp ground nutmeg
Orange and spices come together for a classic fall scent. With the addition of cloves and nutmeg, it smells like spiced cider simmering on the stove, bringing warmth to any fall day.
21. Tropical Citrus & Mint
Ingredients: 1 lime (sliced), 1 orange (sliced), a few fresh mint leaves
For a tropical escape, this fresh citrus and mint blend is light and refreshing. With lime, orange, and mint, it has a clean, beachy vibe that’s perfect for summer or whenever you want a touch of sunshine.
22. Rosemary Citrus Medley
Ingredients: 1 lemon (sliced), 1 orange (sliced), a sprig of rosemary
This blend of rosemary and citrus feels elegant and refreshing. The rosemary adds an herbal, woodsy element, while lemon and orange brighten the air, making it a lovely scent for any season.
Using simmer pots is such a simple yet powerful way to make your home feel warm, welcoming, and filled with seasonal charm.
With just a few ingredients and a simmering pot, you can create an atmosphere that feels both relaxing and festive, no matter the time of year.
I hope these 22 recipes inspire you to try out your own blends and find the scents that make you feel right at home.
So, grab your favorite fruits, spices, and herbs, and enjoy the cozy vibes that a simmer pot can bring to your space!
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