This is one of those things I put on the stove and immediately feel better about the day.
Spring is my favourite time to run a simmer pot. We’ve been cooped up all winter, the barn needs a good clean, the garden is waking up, and the house just needs to smell like something other than wood smoke and mudroom boots. A few slices of citrus and a handful of fresh mint is all it takes.
I usually get this going in the morning before we head out to do chores. By the time we come back inside, the whole house smells fresh and bright. Oliver always notices it. It’s become one of those small things that signals a seasonal shift around here, winter is winding down, spring is coming, things are starting again.
No candles or synthetic sprays. Only real ingredients from the kitchen, simmering quietly on the stove!
What is a Simmer Pot?
A simmer pot (sometimes called stovetop potpourri) is exactly what it sounds like. You fill a small pot with water, add fruit, herbs, or spices, and let it simmer gently on the stove. As the water heats up, it releases the natural fragrance of whatever’s in the pot and fills your home with the scent.
It’s one of the simplest ways to make your house smell good without relying on synthetic air fresheners or candles. You’re using real ingredients (the ones already sitting in your kitchen) and the result is a clean, natural scent that actually smells like the season.
Why You’ll Love This
- It smells incredible. Fresh citrus and mint together is one of the best spring scents there is. Bright, clean, and not overwhelming.
- It’s almost free to make. A lemon, a lime, an orange, and a few mint sprigs. That’s it.
- No synthetic ingredients. No aerosol sprays, no artificial fragrance, only real food on the stove.
- It sets the mood for spring cleaning. There’s something about putting this on that makes the whole day feel more intentional.
- You can reuse it. The same batch works for 2–3 days. Let it cool, cover it, and refrigerate between uses.
- It works year-round with different ingredients. Once you get the hang of simmer pots, you’ll want one going every season. My fall simmer pot and Christmas simmer pot are two of my favourites for the colder months.
Ingredients
Recipe Tips
Use fresh mint, not dried. Fresh gives you the best scent. If you only have dried, a few drops of peppermint extract in the water works better than dried mint leaves.
Keep the peel on. The essential oils in the citrus rind are where most of the fragrance comes from. Just make sure you wash the fruit well first.
Keep it on a low simmer, not a boil. A gentle simmer releases the scent slowly and makes the ingredients last longer. Boiling burns through the water too fast!
Watch the water level. Check it every hour or so and top it off as needed. If the water gets too low, the ingredients can scorch and the smell goes from lovely to unpleasant fast.
Don’t leave it unattended. Turn it off if you’re leaving the house or heading to bed. It’s a simple thing but worth saying.
Refrigerate between uses. Once you’re done for the day, let it cool, cover the pot, and put it in the fridge. It’ll keep for 2–3 days. Just add more water when you reheat it.
Organic citrus is worth it here. Since you’re simmering with the peels on, organic means you’re not heating up any wax or pesticide residue. Not a requirement, but a nice option when you can find it.
FAQ
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Get My Freezer Plans
If cooking from scratch sounds good in theory but feels hard to keep up with, these freezer plans are meant to help. They focus on simple prep, realistic portions, and meals you’ll actually use, so your freezer becomes a quiet support on busy days, not another project to manage.
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash the lemon, lime, and orange thoroughly. Slice them into rounds, keeping the peel on to release the essential oils. Rinse the mint leaves to remove any dirt.
- Assemble the Simmer Pot: In your pot, combine the sliced lemon, lime, and orange. Add the fresh mint leaves on top.
- Fill the Pot with Water: Pour enough water into the pot to cover the ingredients. For a small pot, start with about 2-3 cups of water.
- Bring to a Simmer: Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a gentle simmer over low heat.
- Maintain the Simmer: Let the pot simmer uncovered, checking periodically to ensure there is still water in the pot. Top off with more water as needed to prevent the ingredients from burning. You can let it simmer for a few hours, just make sure to keep an eye on the water level.
- Storage: Once you’re done, you can store the cooled ingredients in a container in the refrigerator and reuse them one more time within the next day or two.
More Simmer Pot Recipe
Once you start making simmer pots, you’ll want one for every season. Here are the others I reach for throughout the year:
Citrus Mint Simmer Pot Recipe
Equipment
- Small saucepan or dutch oven
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
Ingredients
- 1 lemon sliced
- 1 lime sliced
- 1 orange sliced
- 1-2 mint sprigs
Instructions
- Prepare the Ingredients: Wash the lemon, lime, and orange thoroughly. Slice them into rounds, keeping the peel on to release the essential oils. Rinse the mint leaves to remove any dirt.
- Assemble the Simmer Pot: In your pot, combine the sliced lemon, lime, and orange. Add the fresh mint leaves on top.
- Fill the Pot with Water: Pour enough water into the pot to cover the ingredients. For a small pot, start with about 2-3 cups of water.
- Bring to a Simmer: Place the pot on the stove and bring the water to a gentle simmer over low heat.
- Maintain the Simmer: Let the pot simmer uncovered, checking periodically to ensure there is still water in the pot. Top off with more water as needed to prevent the ingredients from burning. You can let it simmer for a few hours, just make sure to keep an eye on the water level.
- Storage: Once you’re done, you can store the cooled ingredients in a container in the refrigerator and reuse them one more time within the next day or two.
Notes
- Use fresh citrus fruits and mint for the most potent aroma. Older fruits might not release as much scent.
- If possible, opt for organic fruits since they’ll be simmered with their peels on, minimizing exposure to pesticides.
- Keep the simmer low. You want to gently release the fragrances without boiling away the water too quickly or risking damage to your pot.
- Regularly check the water level in your pot. If it gets too low, the ingredients can scorch, creating an unpleasant smell and posing a fire hazard.
- The simmer pot mixture can often be used for 2-3 days. Just let it cool, cover, and refrigerate between uses. Add more water as needed when reheating.
- Never leave a simmer pot unattended on the stove. Always turn off the heat if you need to leave the house or go to bed.
Did you make this recipe?
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