Yule Fruits & Spice Winter Simmer Pot
As the days grow colder, with my garden buttoned up and my chicken coop winterized, I have fewer outdoor activities. So, I spend more time indoors. When I have a free burner on my stove top, I enjoy keeping an aromatic winter simmer pot going through the day.
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In this Post:
What’s a Simmer Pot?
A simmer pot is a blend of herbs and spices in a pot of water. The blend is simmered gently on a cook top or even in a dedicated crock-pot with more water added as needed.
In addition to the beautiful natural aroma it produces, a simmer pot also helps put a bit of moisture into the dry Winter (house) air. Simmer pots can also freshen the air, cleanse personal and home energetics, and provide a subtle welcoming ambiance.
A simmer pot can be as simple as adding a couple cinnamon sticks to a pot of simmering water—a common occurrence in our home.
It could be a blend of cold and flu fighting herbs, like my Five Musketeers recipe.
Or it could be a rich blend of seasonal fruits and spices, like this Yule Simmer Pot.
⭐️Yule Fruits & Spice Winter Simmer Pot Recipe
- 6-8 cups Water
- handful Cranberries (leftover from your Homemade Cranberry Sauce)
- 1-2 Mandarin, sliced into 3-4 rounds
- 1/2 inch fresh Ginger Root, sliced thinly
- 2-3 Cinnamon Sticks
- 10-12 Clove Buds
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
Assembling Your Simmer Pot
The fruits and spices in this Yuletide Winter Simmer Pot combine to create a lovely, gentle, aromatic steam. I use this simmer pot it as my base recipe and have fun adding other spices, fruits, and herbs. My favorites are below.
Add all ingredients to the pot and bring to a simmer. Reduce heat so that the water is steaming with just a few bubbles, not boiling.
I usually get up to two days out of each batch, replenishing the water as needed. Turn off over night and don’t leave unattended.
Discard when all ingredients are spent. I drain any remaining water into the kitchen sink (odor-fighting) and add the spent ingredients to my compost pile.
Favorite Additions to a Winter Simmer Pot
A simmer pot is the perfect blank canvas for your creativity. For inspiration, here are a few other Yule associated ingredients to add to your Winter Simmer Pot.
- Any other Fresh Citrus—Try Lime for an interesting twist!
- Sliced Fresh Apples—I slice these in rounds to reveal the star formed by the seeds in the center.
- Fresh Evergreen Needles/Tips—I prefer to wildharvest from a recently fallen branch. Use a handful and break them gently to help release the volatile oils.
- Cardamom Pods—Put the pods between two paper towels. Then give them a little crack with a kitchen mallet before adding to the simmer pot.
- Star Anise Pods—I happen to like the smell of licorice, so I’m fairly generous with these!
- Allspice Berries—See how the aroma enhances the Cinnamon and Clove.
- Black Pepper Corns—I’m a fan of the warm aromatic spiciness Black Pepper provides.
- Pink Pepper Corns—Not a true pepper, the Pink Pepper has a fruity spicy aroma that I adore.
- Dried Hibiscus Flowers—The pop of color is beautiful. Plus Hibiscus is used to make a traditional Yuletide tea in the Caribbean.
- Essential Oils—I sometimes like to add a drop or two of a conifer essential oil to my simmer pot.
🌺See my Recommended Suppliers below
What will you put in your Winter Simmer Pot?
And Now, Some Fun Yuletide Reading…
The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas (2023) is the third addition to the Sacred Herbs series by Ellen Evert Hopman.
In this spirited, colorful book Ellen explores the origins of yuletide symbols and traditions. She also discusses the medicinal and mystical uses for seasonal herbs, spices, and fruits. You’ll enjoy following her easy recipes for traditional foods and beverages (Wassail anyone?). Ellen guides you through celebrating and reaping the energy of the Solstice to bring a fun lightness to the darker days of Winter.
The Sacred Herbs of Yule and Christmas is available on Amazon (paperback & Kindle) or at your local bookstore—you may even find it at your local library.
Other Sacred Herbs books:
- The Sacred Herbs of Samhain (2019)
- The Sacred Herbs of Spring (2020)
Mom’s Shopping List
Find each of the dried spices on Mom’s Herbs & Spice favorites list at Amazon, at your local grocer, or at one of these wonderful online suppliers:
- Elanen naturals (on Amazon) where all the herbs and teas are Certified Organic
- Mountain Rose Herbs for hand-packaged wildcrafted and organic bulk herbs, teas, and spices
- Starwest Botanicals for a wide range of organic and wildcrafted herbs, teas, and spices (and coffee, too)
- Also at Starwest Botanicals on Amazon, if you’re in a pinch
- Anthony’s Goods (on Amazon) for organic loose leaf herbs, powdered herbs, spices, flours, teas, and more
- FGOrganics (on Amazon) for organic edible flowers and teas
- The Spice Way (on Amazon) for farm to table, hand packaged, whole and ground spices and spice blends
- Spice Train (on Amazon) for beautifully aromatic organic whole and ground spices
- Gustus Vitae (on Amazon) for richly flavorful spices, seasoning blends, and salts
Favorite Winter Simmer Pot Essential Oils
Remember, just a drop or two will do! A simmer pot is about experiencing the gentle aromatics of the whole fruits, spices, and herbs. When I do add a touch of essential oil to my winter simmer pots, I favor these conifers that provide an additional air and energetic cleansing to my home:
- Black Spruce essential oil (Picea mariana):
- Aromatics International, organic💛
- Plant Therapy, organic (Direct and Amazon).
- Douglas Fir essential oil (Pseudotsuga menziesii):
- Aromatics International, wildcrafted
- Plant Therapy, conventional (Direct and Amazon).
- Hemlock essential oil (Tsuga canadensis):
- Aromatics International, organic.
- Siberian Fir essential oil (Abies siberica):
- Aromatics International, wildcrafted
- Plant Therapy, sustainable “Fir Needle” (Direct and Amazon).
This information has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. It is for educational purposes only.
All recipes provided are for personal use and are not designed for re-sale or large-scale manufacturing.
Please consult your doctor, naturopath, herbal practitioner, or other qualified health professional for medical advice and before starting any herbal regimen, particularly if you are pregnant or nursing, have any existing medical conditions, or are taking any medications.
Chris P | Author, Certified Aromatherapist, Natural Skin Care Formulator
Chris (“Mom”) enjoys formulating bespoke aromatherapy, skin care, and herbal products to support her family, pets, friends, and clients. She also loves experimenting with recipes in the kitchen. An avid reader, writer, and lifetime learner, Chris enthusiastically explores research rabbit holes and then writes about her discoveries.💚 (Learn more >>)
