Winter Woods Simmer Pot Jar Recipe
Last December I wanted to make something handmade for the neighbors and friends in our church. I kept circling back to simmer pots, because they were such a hit the year before, but wanted to create a new scent.
People have been throwing herbs and spices into simmering water forever, partly for the smell, partly because filling a dry winter home with a little steam and herbal goodness just WORKS.
No diffuser required, no electricity, just a pot and some water and ingredients that have been doing their thing for centuries. This winter woods simmer pot jar version is something you can put together in about five minutes and gift to basically anyone, and it’s the kind of gift that actually gets used immediately instead of sitting in a drawer 🙂
What you’ll learn here: what each ingredient brings to the blend, how to assemble the jar, and how to actually use it (because I’ve definitely handed someone a simmer pot before and realized I forgot to explain what they were supposed to DO with it).
If you are looking for a Christmas simmer pot jar, you’ll love this one too!
Herbal Benefits
There are six ingredients in this blend and every single one I put there for a reason:
- DRIED LEMON SLICES bring brightness to the whole thing. Citrus peel has been used for ages to lift mood and clear the air in a space. When it simmers, it releases this clean, fresh top note that keeps the blend from feeling too heavy.
- DRIED ROSEMARY is one of my oldest herb friends. It’s clarifying and energizing, and the smell of rosemary simmering is one of those scents that makes you feel like you have your life together even when you absolutely do not haha.
Traditionally it was used to clear the air and support focus, which, in the chaos of winter with kids home is perfect. - DRIED SAGE has a deep, earthy, almost ceremonial quality. It’s been used across cultures for clearing and grounding. In a simmer pot it adds that woodsy backbone that makes the whole blend feel cozy rather than sweet.
- DRIED PEPPERMINT cuts through everything with a cool, clean energy. It’s invigorating, traditionally used to support clear breathing, which matters a lot in the winter when everyone’s stuffy and grumpy about it.
- CINNAMON STICKS are warming in the most literal sense of the word. Cinnamon has a long history of use in cold-weather wellness traditions around the world. It rounds out the sharper notes and gives the blend that unmistakable “it’s winter” smell.
- WHOLE CLOVES add depth and a little spice. They’re warming, aromatic, and they make the blend smell more complex without you having to do anything extra. A little goes a long way, which is why the recipe only calls for a teaspoon 🙂
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Winter Woods Simmer Pot Jar Recipe
Makes: 1 8oz jar
Ingredients
- 3-4 dried lemon slices
- 5-6 dried rosemary sprigs (or 1tbsp dried if not in sprigs)
- 3-4 dried sage leaves
- 1 tbsp dried peppermint
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp whole cloves
Instructions
Add everything to a glass jar (8oz).
Tie with a bow, label, and share as a gift!
Notes
- Pour into a small pot with 3-4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Add water as needed and never leave unattended.
- You can reuse for 2-3 days, refrigerating between uses.
- If you have dried pine, that would make this a DREAM simmer pot! A fresh pine simmer pot works too but don’t use fresh if you are gifting.
How to Use It
When you’re ready to use the jar (or when you’re explaining it to whoever you’re gifting it to), just pour the contents into a small pot and add 3 to 4 cups of water.
Bring it to a boil first, then turn it down to a gentle simmer and let it do its thing. The scent will start filling the room within minutes!
Keep an eye on the water level and top it off as it evaporates. Never walk away and forget about it, which I realize sounds obvious, but sometimes it’s easy to get busy and forget.
When you’re done for the day, let it cool, pour it into a container, and refrigerate it. It’ll keep for 2 to 3 days of use before the scent starts to fade.
This blend is purely aromatic, not for drinking. It works beautifully for any season honestly, but something about the combination just BELONGS to winter.
Winter Woods Simmer Pot Jar
A giftable simmer pot jar filled with dried herbs, citrus, and spices that fills your home with a cozy, woodsy winter scent. Simply pour the contents into a pot of water and let it simmer to fragrance any room.
Ingredients
- 3-4 dried lemon slices
- 5-6 dried rosemary sprigs
- 3-4 dried sage leaves
- 1 tbsp dried peppermint
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tsp whole cloves
Instructions
- Add everything to a glass jar (8oz).
- Tie with a bow, label, and share as a gift!
Notes
- Pour into a small pot with 3-4 cups of water. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Add water as needed and never leave unattended. You can reuse for 2-3 days, refrigerating between uses. This blend is purely aromatic, not for drinking.
Final Thoughts
I ended up making six of these winter simmer pot jars for the neighbors, and I have four more sitting on my kitchen shelf waiting for the next person who comes over!
They’re genuinely one of the easiest things I’ve made since getting into herbalism, and they feel SO much more thoughtful than a store bought gift in my opinion 🙂
I’m thinking next time I’d like to try adding some dried orange peel alongside the lemon, or maybe swapping the peppermint for dried pine needles from the backyard. Lots of room to play.
If you make one for yourself or someone else, let me know how it went!
