If you’re looking to fill your home with that cozy, festive aroma that just screams holiday magic, I have something truly special to share with you! This Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar Recipe is a personal favorite of mine — it’s an easy, hands-on way to create a warm, inviting scent that’s perfect for the season. Whether you’re gifting it, using it yourself, or decorating your space, this simmer pot jar bursts with classic Christmas vibes from the moment you open it.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Simple & Lasting Aroma: You’ll love how just a few natural ingredients create hours of festive scent without any chemicals.
- Beautiful Gift Idea: The layered ingredients in a clear jar are as pretty to look at as they are delightful to smell—perfect for giving by the dozen!
- Customizable to Your Taste: You can easily swap in your favorite holiday spices or fresh herbs to make it uniquely yours.
- Eco-Friendly & Budget Friendly: It’s a smart way to repurpose leftovers like citrus peels and reduce waste while keeping your home smelling amazing.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this recipe lies in its simple, natural ingredients that layer together to create that classic Christmas scent. Plus, many of these items you can find easily or might already have on hand!
- Dried Orange Slices or Orange Peels: They add that bright, citrusy note that balances the warming spices.
- Cinnamon Sticks: The heart of the fragrance, bringing warmth and that unmistakable holiday spice aroma.
- Whole Cloves: These give a slightly sweet, earthy depth—be sure to layer them well for even scent release.
- Allspice: Adds complexity and a hint of peppery warmth to round out the pot.
- Fresh or Dried Rosemary or Evergreen Sprigs: I love tucking in sprigs of fir or pine to bring that authentic Christmas tree smell indoors.
- Whole Star Anise Pods: These are not only aromatic but super pretty visually with their star shape.
- Cranberries or Goji Berries: A small pop of festive red color that also adds a subtle fruity note.
- Optional Spices like Cardamom Pods or Pumpkin Pie Spice: For a little twist or extra warmth, these are lovely additions to try.
Variations
One of the things I adore about this Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar Recipe is how flexible it is. You can tweak it to your liking or what you have on hand—and it still fills your home with that lovely holiday vibe.
- Fall-Inspired Twist: I like to swap in apple slices and a sprinkle of pumpkin pie spice to give it that cozy autumn scent before Christmas truly arrives.
- Herbal Boost: Using fresh cedar or pine branches instead of rosemary brings that crisp forest aroma straight indoors.
- Sweet & Spicy: Adding a splash of vanilla extract or a few cardamom pods can make the scent more dessert-like—great for holiday baking days.
- Berry Variations: Goji berries or dried cranberries can be interchanged depending on what you prefer or have on hand.
How to Make Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar Recipe
Step 1: Layer Your Ingredients Beautifully
Start by selecting a clear pint-sized jar—the kind with a lid so you can seal it tight if gifting. Begin layering with your dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks since they’re the larger and more eye-catching items. Then sprinkle in your cloves, allspice, and star anise carefully so they fill the spaces between. Finally, tuck in your sprigs of rosemary or evergreen and scatter the cranberries or goji berries for a festive pop of color. I love this step because it feels like creating a tiny holiday scene inside the jar!
Step 2: Seal and Decorate Your Jar
Once your ingredients look just right, screw on the lid tightly. I usually tie a rustic twine or a pretty ribbon around the lid for that charming homemade look. To make it extra special, pop a dried orange slice or mini cinnamon stick on top. You can even add a little gift tag with simmering instructions (which I’ll share below) to help whoever receives it enjoy the magic effortlessly.
Step 3: Simmer to Fill Your Home with Festive Aroma
When you’re ready to use it, simply pour the contents of your jar into a large pot, slow cooker, or stockpot and add enough water to cover everything. Simmer gently on low heat—you’ll want to keep an eye on the water level, topping it up to avoid burning the spices. It’s incredible how the scent gently fills the room, making your space feel instantly cozy and inviting.
Pro Tips for Making Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar Recipe
- Use Dried Ingredients for Longevity: I’ve found that dried citrus slices and herbs last much longer in the jar and avoid mold, which means your gift or simmer pot can be enjoyed for weeks.
- Don’t Forget to Monitor the Water Level: From experience, leaving it unattended too long can cause the pot to dry out and ingredients to burn, so always keep that water topped up.
- Slow Cooker Simmering is a Game-Changer: For hassle-free evenings or busy holiday days, set your slow cooker on low and enjoy hours of steady scent without worry.
- Reuse Your Simmer Pot Blend: After simmering, I store the cooled mix in the fridge and reuse it by adding fresh water a couple of times before the aroma fades.
How to Serve Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar Recipe
Garnishes
I like to keep it simple here—sometimes I add an extra cinnamon stick or a fresh evergreen sprig on top of the pot or near the jar when gifting. It adds that little festive flourish that hints to the lovely scent inside and makes your guests curious and happy.
Side Dishes
While this is an aromatic treat rather than an edible dish, it pairs wonderfully with any holiday gatherings featuring baked goods like gingerbread cookies, spiced nuts, or mulled cider. You’ll find that the scent just elevates the cozy holiday mood throughout your home!
Creative Ways to Present
I’ve gifted these in small mason jars decorated with plaid fabric lids, twine, and personalized gift tags. For hosting, display several jars with different ingredient combos on a woven tray alongside pinecones and candles—your guests will love sniffing the different aromas and chatting about what they enjoy most.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftover simmer pot blend after a holiday gathering, seal it tightly in the original jar or an airtight container. Keep it in a cool, dry place for up to a month if using dried ingredients. For fresh herbs or citrus, refrigeration is best and use within the week.
Freezing
I’ve not frozen this blend myself because the spices and dried fruits don’t really need it, and freezing could affect texture. If you do want to try freezing fresh citrus slices or herbs, wrap them well and use them within a month for best scent retention.
Reheating
Simply reheat on low in your pot or slow cooker, adding fresh water as needed. Avoid boiling because it can quickly evaporate the water and damage the fragrance. Slow and steady heat is your friend here for that perfect cozy aroma.
FAQs
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What is a Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar Recipe?
It’s a festive blend of dried fruits, spices, and herbs layered in a jar and simmered with water to release a warm, holiday aroma throughout your home. These jars can be gifted or used yourself for cozy seasonal scenting.
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Can I use fresh ingredients instead of dried ones?
Yes, but fresh ingredients have a shorter shelf life. If using fresh citrus or herbs, keep the jar refrigerated and use within a week. Dried ingredients last much longer and are less likely to mold.
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How long will the scent last when simmering?
Typically, the scent lasts for several hours while simmering on low heat. You can reuse the simmer pot blend 2-3 times by adding fresh water, but the aroma will gradually fade after that.
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Is it safe to leave the simmer pot unattended?
No, it’s important to monitor the pot closely to keep water levels sufficient and prevent burning, which can cause a burnt smell or damage to your pot.
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Can I customize this recipe?
Absolutely! Feel free to add or substitute with ingredients like apple slices, vanilla bean, bay leaves, or pumpkin pie spice to suit your personal holiday scent preferences.
Final Thoughts
This Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar Recipe holds a special place in my holiday traditions—it’s an instant mood lifter, creates such a warm ambiance, and doubles as a thoughtful gift. I hope you enjoy making it as much as I do, and that it brings a cozy, festive spirit into your home season after season. Trust me, once you try this, you’ll keep coming back to it every holiday!
Print
Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 hours
- Total Time: 5 hours 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 quart jar (serves as aromatic simmer pot for several hours)
- Category: Beverage Aromatics & Home Fragrance
- Method: Simmering (Stovetop or Slow Cooking)
- Cuisine: American
Description
This Christmas Simmer Pot in a Jar recipe is a delightful way to fill your home with festive aromas using natural ingredients. Featuring dried orange slices, cinnamon sticks, cloves, allspice, rosemary or evergreen sprigs, star anise, and cranberries, this simmer pot blend can be easily customized and gifted. Simply simmer the fragrant mixture on the stove or in a slow cooker to create a cozy, inviting atmosphere perfect for the holiday season.
Ingredients
Spices and Aromatics
- 2-3 dried orange slices or orange peels
- 2-3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 1 tablespoon allspice
- 1-2 whole star anise pods
- Optional: 1 teaspoon cardamom pods or a pinch of pumpkin pie spice
Herbs and Berries
- 1-2 sprigs fresh or dried rosemary or evergreen branches (cedar, fir, juniper, or pine work great)
- 1 small handful of cranberries or goji berries for color
Instructions
- Layer Your Ingredients: Begin by placing the larger items such as dried orange slices and cinnamon sticks at the bottom of your jar. Then add the cloves, star anise pods, and cranberries for colorful bits throughout. Finally, tuck in the rosemary or evergreen branches on top for a festive and fragrant touch.
- Choose the Right Jar: Use pint-sized or similar clear glass jars with lids so the beautiful natural ingredients are fully visible, making the jar itself an attractive gift.
- Add a Label or Tag: Attach a gift tag or label with instructions for use: “Pour the contents of the jar into a large pot, stock pot, or slow cooker. Cover the ingredients with water and simmer on low heat. Monitor the water level and add fresh water as needed. Enjoy the cozy, natural aroma!”
- Finish with a Decorative Touch: Tie twine or ribbon around the jar lid and add a sprig of greenery, a mini cinnamon stick, or a dried orange slice for a charming seasonal presentation.
Notes
- Water Level: Keep enough water in the simmering pot to prevent ingredients from burning; check periodically to add fresh water as needed.
- Fresh vs. Dried Ingredients: Dried ingredients last longer, but if using fresh oranges or rosemary, use the blend within 1-2 days at room temperature or up to a week refrigerated.
- Customizations: Substitute or add lemon peels, apple slices, bay leaves, cardamom pods, pumpkin pie spice, or vanilla extract to tailor the scent to your preference.
- Cranberries: Fresh cranberries should be refrigerated and used within a week; dried cranberries increase shelf life.
- Simmering Methods: Simmer in a large pot, Dutch oven, saucepan, or slow cooker; a crock pot on low heat is ideal for hands-free simmering.
- Reusable Ingredients: After simmering, refrigerate the cooled mixture to reuse the next day by adding fresh water, but aroma fades after 2-3 uses.
- Safety Tip: Never leave a simmer pot unattended on the stovetop to avoid burning and damage as water evaporates.
- Seasonal Variations: Add apple slices and pumpkin pie spice for a fall aroma or evergreen sprigs for a wintry Christmas scent.
- Eco-Friendly Option: Use leftover fruit scraps like orange or lemon peels to reduce waste while enhancing fragrance.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: N/A (used as aromatic, not consumed)
- Sugar: 0g
- Sodium: 0mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 0g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
