A Summer Simmer Pot That Will Make Your House Smell Amazing
Simmer pots are a simple and popular way to add natural fragrance to your home without the use of any harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. This summer simmer pot recipe combines fresh citrus, herbs, vanilla and bergamot for the perfect way to have your house smelling amazing all summer long!
Who says simmer pots are just for fall?
I mean, I love a good fall and Christmas simmer pot. Who doesn’t? Cinnamon sticks, herbs, and whole spices are an easy way to make your home smell both amazing and super festive during the holiday season. Having a scented pot of water simmering away on the stove makes for a cozy atmosphere no matter the time of year!
If you’ve been here for any amount of time, you know that I have been on a mission to more natural living, and a big part of this is trying to stay away from artificial scents. Unfortunately, a lot of the lovely seasonal scents that I once adored (looking at you pumpkin spice) are also full of harmful chemicals that I don’t necessarily want going throughout my home.
That’s when I discovered the magic of simmer pots! Hallelujah. Seasonal scents in a healthier and more natural way.
This easy recipe for a summer simmer pot (or stovetop potpourri as some like to call it) is created by filling a large pot with fresh water, adding in a combination of fresh herbs, essential oils, vanilla extract, and fresh fruits, and letting it simmer away on the stove to fill your home with a lovely natural fragrance. No harmful scented candle needed!
Let’s make it!
Ingredients
For this simmer pot blend, you will need a few simple and natural ingredients:
- Water
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- Few sprigs of rosemary
- Few sprigs of fresh lavender
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 10 drops of Bergamot essential oil
Method
- Begin by placing a large Dutch oven or pot on the stove. Fill with water until the water level is about halfway up the pot.
- Add in the sliced lemon, sliced orange, fresh herbs, and essential oil. Stir gently and bring to a boil.
- Once the pot is boiling, turn down the heat to a gentle simmer. At this point you can add the vanilla extract.
- That’s it! Keep an eye on the pot to keep it at a gentle simmer, and add more water if needed.
More Simmer Pot Combination Ideas
- Herbs: Fresh mint, thyme, basil are all great options
- Fruits: Grapefruit slices, lime, cranberries (very festive during the holiday season)
- Flowers: Try dried lavender or rose petals!
- Spices: Cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, peppercorns, ginger
- Extracts: Along with vanilla, try orange or even coconut extract!
Tips for Success
- You can let the simmer pot go for as long as you like, as long as you keep adding water.
- If you don’t have access to or don’t want to have a pot simmering away on the stove, you can use the same method in a crockpot!
- The fresh herbs really help give the simmer pot a fresh, clean scent. I recommend not omitting them!
- If you are not able to grab any fresh lavender, substituting 10 drops of lavender essential oil will also work!
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Summer Simmer Pot Blend
Simmer pots are a simple and popular way to add natural fragrance to your home without the use of any harsh chemicals or synthetic fragrances. This summer simmer pot recipe combines fresh citrus, herbs, vanilla and bergamot for the perfect way to have your house smelling amazing all summer long!
Ingredients
- Water
- 1 lemon, sliced
- 1 orange, sliced
- Few sprigs of rosemary
- Few sprigs of fresh lavender
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 10 drops of Bergamot essential oil
Instructions
- Begin by placing a large Dutch oven or pot on the stove. Fill with water until the water level is about halfway to 2/3 up the pot.
- Add in the sliced lemon, sliced orange, fresh herbs, and essential oil. Stir gently and bring to a boil.
- Once the pot is boiling, turn down the heat to a gentle simmer. At this point you can add the vanilla extract.
- That's it! Keep an eye on the pot to keep it at a gentle simmer, adding more water if needed.
Notes
I hope you love this simmer pot blend! I really think it captures the essence of summer with all of the fresh citrus and herbs. What are some of your favorite simmer pot ingredients for the summer season?
