Holiday / 3 minutes of reading
girl standing laughing with a wooden spoon in her hand, wearing a black and white sweater in a kitchen

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A simple recipe for Winter Stovetop Potpourri, and ideas for mixing some other favorite scents. 

Well, we might not have as many guests for the holidays this year, or any at all, but that doesn’t mean you can’t make a pot of this amazing Winter Stovetop Potpourri.  

Winter stovetop potpourri is the same thing as a winter simmer pot, or Christmas Simmer pot, or Holiday Stovetop Potpourri, or Fall Simmer Pot ….I think you get the idea! 

It’s basically a pot of delicious smelling things that simmer and fill your home with a wonderful scent.  

winter stovetop potpourri

Simmer pots are a cinch to make and a great way to make your home smell nice, naturally.  

This particular blend of fresh herbs, spices, cranberries, and oranges will please the pickiest of noses. 

I should know since my family is super sensitive to any scents!  When I go overboard,  my husband likes to say that it feels like he has a cinnamon stick up his nose.

Related Post: DIY Scented Sachets with Rice and Essential Oils

girl standing laughing with a wooden spoon in her hand, wearing a black and white sweater in a kitchen

So this recipe calls for a delicate balance of things to make a light, fresh scent.  If you wish to make a stronger scent, just double up on the spices!

Let’s gather up our ingredients for this winter simmer pot and get simmering!  

Things You’ll Need

  • 2 Cinnamon Sticks
  • Half of an orange sliced 
  • 2 sprigs of Rosemary
  • Dash of Nutmeg
  • 1 tablespoon whole cloves
  • Handful of Cranberries
  • 4 cups of Water

How to Make Winter Stovetop Potpourri

  1.  Combine all ingredients in a pot on the stove and simmer on the stove as long as you like.  Keep an eye on it; add more water to the pot as the level gets low.  
  2. After you’re finished, strain the ingredients and keep them in a Tupperware in the fridge for a near-future simmer pot.  I find that the scents last multiple times over.  
  • putting srpigs of reosemary in a pot full of water for potpourri
  • holding cranberries for a winter simmer pot
  • putting ingredients in a red pot for potpourri - how to make a winter simmer pot

It’s important to note that while this simmer pot recipe will look and smell good enough to eat – please refrain.  It’s for noses only.  🙂 

After the holidays, you may be over the whole cinnamon/clove thing, so try a combination of these ingredients for a fresh, Happy New Year simmer pot.

a kitchen with a red pot on the stove and a tea towel next to it with a wood cutting board

Perhaps while you’re spring cleaning!

Happy New Year Simmer Pot

  • Lemon Peels or Slices
  • Rosemary Sprigs
  • Lavender Essential Oil or Buds
  • Bay Leaves
  • Ginger
  • Eucalyptus or Pine Branches

Where to Buy Cinnamon Sticks Cheap

I had some questions on a previous post (my cinnamon stick candle holders), about the best places to buy Cinnamon Sticks. Cinnamon Sticks can be so pricey and you don’t get that many in a jar!

Here are a few places to look for Cinnamon Sticks on the Cheap:

  • Dollar Stores – check the food/spice aisle
  • Walmart Great Value Cinnamon Sticks- they sell a bulk container of them for under $10!
  • The Bulk Bins at your local grocery store – often cheaper/pound than buying the containers – they don’t always offer cinnamon sticks, but it’s worth a look.
  • Amazon Cinnamon- they often have 1-2 pound bags for sale (that’s 100-150 sticks of cinnamon!)

I hope you guys enjoy this winter stovetop potpourri! 

Xo Karen