Some of our strongest memories are tied to scents. We remember the way our grandma’s house smelled when she baked cookies and the way the lawn smelled after our dad cut the grass.
During the winter season, we often remember the smell of a live Christmas tree or traditional dishes cooking in the oven. This winter stovetop potpourri brings back holiday memories with the aromas of citrus and spices.
Why Make a Winter Stovetop Potpourri?
Stovetop potpourri is sometimes called a simmer pot. Simmer pots combine natural ingredients like herbs, fruits, or flowers with dried spices and water. As the water simmers on the stove, the steam fills your home with a wonderful smell.
Make Your Simmer Pot Your Own
There aren’t a lot of hard and fast rules when it comes to simmer pots. You can mix and match ingredients for all sorts of seasonal combinations. In this recipe, the amounts and types of ingredients are flexible according to your preferences.
Pro tip: We recently discovered that whole spices are easier to source from the Hispanic section of the grocery store. Not only is the quality wonderful; the prices are better, too.
Winter Stovetop Potpourri Recipe
For a simple way to fill your home with the scent of citrus and spices, gather the ingredients below and let them gently simmer on the stove.
Winter Stovetop Potpourri
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Slice the orange or lemon. Add it to a large saucepan along with the cranberries, cloves, rosemary, star anise, and cinnamon sticks.
- Add enough water to fill the saucepan approximately three-quarters full.
- Place the saucepan on a burner set to low. Allow the mixture to steam or gently simmer, filling your home with the scent of citrus and spices.
- Keep the potpourri below a boil. Add more water as needed, and do not allow the saucepan to run dry. Never leave it unattended.
Notes
How to Package Stovetop Potpourri as a Gift
A package of winter stovetop potpourri makes a thoughtful hostess gift or a little something to share with a friend. The colorful cranberries, citrus, and spices are pretty enough that they don’t need much dressing up.
Place the ingredients in a clear gift bag or a wide-mouth glass jar, leaving the orange or lemon whole until it’s time to use the potpourri. Tie the package with ribbon or twine, and add a tag with the instructions below. Because the cranberries and rosemary are fresh, keep the gift refrigerated until you’re ready to give it.
Gift tag wording
Use the instructions below on your gift tag, or print them for free by clicking on the button.
Winter Stovetop Potpourri
Slice the citrus and add it to a large saucepan with the remaining ingredients. Fill the saucepan about three-quarters full with water and warm over low heat. Add water as needed and never leave the pot unattended.
Refrigerate until ready to use. Not for eating or drinking.
Or you can simply print the gift tag below and attach it to your package.
This potpourri is wonderful any time from autumn through winter. With citrus and layers of spices, it will warm up your home. This is a natural, non-toxic way to make your whole home smell heavenly.
