Ah, it’s that time of year when we fling open the windows and welcome the refreshing breezes! It’s truly one of my favorites. I have an exceptionally sensitive nose (my husband jokes I’m a bloodhound, always walking through the house around asking, “What is that smell?”). So, a fresh-smelling home is essential for me. Because I’m quite discerning about fragrances, simmer pots have become my go-to. Today, I’m excited to share some Simple Citrus Simmer Pot Recipes for Spring and summer!

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What is a “Simmer Pot”?

So, what exactly is a simmer pot? Think of it as a natural, stovetop potpourri. You basically fill a pot with water, add your favorite fragrant ingredients—like citrus, herbs, and spices—and let it gently simmer on your stovetop. The warm, fragrant steam then fills your home with a lovely, natural scent, eliminating any stale odors and creating a cozy ambience.

Citrus Simmer Pot Ingredients.

Citrus Fruits:

• Lemons (slices, peels, or whole)
• Limes (slices, peels, or whole)
• Oranges (slices, peels, or whole)
• Grapefruit (slices, peels)

Fresh Herbs:

• Fresh Rosemary Sprigs
• Mint Sprigs
• Thyme
• Fresh Basil
• Lavender dried or fresh.

Spices:

• Ginger (fresh slices or dried)
• Vanilla Beans or Extract
• Whole Black Pepper
• Cardamom pods

Other Additions:

• Essential Oils
• Cucumber slices
• Pineapple chunks
• Coconut extract
• Chamomile Flowers
• Apple Slices

Assembling Your Simmer Pot.

Today, I am concentrating on Simple Citrus Simmer Pot Recipes for Spring and Summer, using as many fresh ingredients as possible.

You will need a small saucepan, although I sometimes use this small crockpot on the counter if I am going to be cooking on my stovetop.

For most of the recipes I am sharing today, you are going to want to thinly slice your citrus fruit, add the rest of the ingredients, cover with six to eight cups of water, and bring to a low simmer. You can add more water as the day wears on. I don’t like to keep my simmer pots much longer than two or three hours because I am looking for those bright, citrus-y scents, so I toss them out when I am done.

Spring and Summer Simmer Pot Recipes.

Let’s start with one of my personal favorites. This is as close as I’ve encountered to the fresh smell of walking into a Williams Sonoma Store. It leaves the whole house smelling amazing! I think it’s the Peppercorns.

William Sonoma Spring Simmer Pot:

• 1 Teaspoon of Whole Black Peppercorns
• 3 Sprigs of Rosemary
• 1 large lemon sliced thinly
• 1 Tablespoon of a quality Vanilla Extract
• 8 cups of water

Bring ingredients to a simmer and enjoy.

Lime and Mint Stovetop Potpourri:

• 3 Thinly sliced limes
• 1 bunch of Fresh Mint
• 4 Sprigs of Fresh Thyme
• 4 very thin slices of Fresh Ginger
• 8 cups of water

Bring ingredients to a simmer and enjoy!

You can also use dried flowers in simmer pots.

Lavender and Chamomile Simmer Pot:

• 4 springs of dried lavender
• 1 large lemon
• 2-3 drops of Lavender Essential Oil
• 3 springs of rosemary
• Chamomile Flower buds or petals
• A tablespoon of Vanilla extract
• 6 cups of water

Bring ingredients to a simmer and enjoy.

Delightful Grapefruit Simmer Pot:

• 2 grapefruits + a lemon (sliced)
• 2-3 drops of Grapefruit essential oil
• 1 teaspoon whole cloves
• 1-2 sprigs of fresh rosemary (optional)
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 4-5 cups of water

Bring the ingredients to a Simmer and Enjoy!

Summertime Coconut Simmer Pot:

• 2 Sliced lemons
• 8 Large strawberries sliced
• 2 tablespoons of coconut extract
• 2-3 drops of Lemon extract
• 5 cups of water

Bring ingredients to a Simmer and enjoy.

Tropical Simmer Pot:

• 1 cup of pineapple chunks
• 1/2 cup shredded coconut
• 2 Tablespoons of orange extract
• 4 fresh basil leaves
• 5 cups of water

Simmer and Enjoy!

Cuties and Ginger:

• 3-4 Cuties peeled- use both the peels and the fruit.
• 2 tablespoons of Vanilla Extract
• 4 thin slices of fresh ginger
• 2 bay leaves
• 5 cups of water

Simmer ingredients together and enjoy.

Some other combinations you may enjoy:

• 5 sprigs fresh mint
• 3- slices of fresh ginger(thin)
• 1 lime, sliced
• 1 tsp. black peppercorns
• 8 cups water

Other tips and ideas for Simple Simmer Pots:

Use a glass pot for a prettier presentation.

If I am in a hurry and have limited citrus, I will slice a lemon, add a couple of drops of Lemongrass essential oil and some lavender, and use my candle warmer to let it steep. Quick and Easy!, I will slice a lemon, add a couple of drops of Lemongrass essential oil and some lavender,

Use a pestle and mortar for your fresh herbs to help release their fragrance.

I love using Essential Oils in Simmer pots. It gives the citrus an extra lift.

Don’t Boil-it may be tempting to rush a higher heat, but the simmering allows the fragrances to blend together.

Keep an eye out for your water levels. Letting the ingredients boil dry is quite stinky.

Have fun with the ingredients! I love to use whatever I have on hand but mix it up.

Use high-quality extracts. They usually smell better.

That’s it for Today!

Let me know in the comments if you have a favorite simmer pot recipe, I am always looking for a new one to try.

Until next time,

-Libbie

You may also enjoy:

Simmering Stovetop Potpourri- Smells like Christmas

Christmas Simmer Pot

Let’s Make a Citrus Simmer Pot for Spring