Simmer Pot Recipe (That You Can Drink!)

This cozy fall simmer pot recipe does double duty: it fills your kitchen with the scent of apples, oranges, cinnamon, and warm fall spices—then turns into a naturally spiced tea you can actually drink. Even better? It’s made largely from apple cores and orange peels you might otherwise toss.

If you love that unmistakable smell of fall—apple orchards, cinnamon sticks, citrus, and something warm bubbling away on the stove—this might be the easiest way to bring it home.

Instead of reaching for an air freshener or candle, save the scraps from your next apple-and-orange snack and turn them into something delicious.

What Is a Fall Simmer Pot?

A traditional simmer pot (also called stovetop potpourri) is simply a pot of water gently simmered with fragrant ingredients like citrus, apples, herbs, and spices. As it simmers, all those cozy aromas drift through the house.

This version has a little bonus: everything that goes into the pot is food-safe, so once it has simmered, you can strain the liquid and enjoy it as a warm spiced tea.

Your house smells amazing and you get a cozy drink at the end. Win-win.

Why You’ll Love This Fall Simmer Pot

• Makes your home smell incredible. Orange, apple, cinnamon, rosemary, and star anise create the coziest fall aroma.
• Uses food scraps. Save orange peels plus apple tops and cores instead of immediately sending them to the compost.
• No special ingredients needed. Most of the spices may already be sitting in your pantry.
• It’s naturally caffeine-free. There are no tea leaves involved—just fruit, herbs, spices, and water.
• Easy to customize. Make it sweeter, spicier, citrusy, or more herbal depending on what you have.
• You can drink it! Strain everything out at the end and pour the warm spiced infusion into your favorite mug.

Ingredients

You only need a handful of simple ingredients to make your kitchen smell like autumn.

Orange Peels

Instead of using whole oranges just for a simmer pot, save the peels after eating the fruit. They add a bright citrus fragrance and flavor.

Apple Tops and Cores

Another easy way to give kitchen scraps a second life. Remove all of the apple seeds before adding the cores to the pot.

Cinnamon Stick

For that classic warm fall fragrance and naturally sweet-spiced flavor.

Star Anise

Adds a beautiful licorice-like warmth that makes the simmer pot smell especially festive. Be sure to use culinary-grade star anise intended for cooking.

Fresh Rosemary

Just one sprig brings a fresh, woodsy note that balances all the sweet fall spices.

Pumpkin Pie Spice

An easy shortcut for layering in even more cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cloves, and other cozy autumn flavors.

How to Make a Fall Simmer Pot

1. Start with water.

Pour 8 cups of water into a large pot and place it over medium-high heat.

2. Prep your fruit scraps.

Wash the oranges and apples well before using them. Add the peels from 2 oranges along with the tops and cores from 2 apples, making sure you’ve removed all apple seeds.

3. Add the fall spices.

Add the cinnamon stick, star anise, rosemary, and pumpkin pie spice.

4. Bring it to a gentle boil.

Let the mixture come just to a boil, then reduce the heat to low.

5. Let the fall magic happen.

Simmer uncovered for 30–45 minutes, stirring occasionally.

As the mixture heats, your kitchen will start filling with that warm apple-orange-cinnamon fragrance.

6. Add more water when needed.

Keep an eye on the water level while your simmer pot is on the stove. If too much evaporates, simply pour in a little more.

Never allow a simmer pot to run dry, and don’t leave it unattended on the stove.

7. Turn Your Simmer Pot Into Tea

Here’s the fun part.

When you’re ready to stop simmering, remove the pot from the heat and carefully pour the liquid through a fine-mesh strainer.

Pour the strained apple-orange spiced tea into mugs and enjoy it warm.

For a sweeter drink, stir in a little maple syrup to taste.

How to Make Your Simmer Pot Smell Even Stronger

The longer the ingredients gently simmer, the more concentrated the fragrance becomes.

For an especially cozy house, let the mixture simmer longer than 45 minutes before straining it, adding additional water whenever needed.

Just remember: if you’re planning to drink it afterward, adding lots of extra water will also dilute the final tea. You can always simmer the strained liquid for a few additional minutes to concentrate the flavor again.

Easy Simmer Pot Variations

One of the best things about simmer pots is that you don’t need to follow an exact formula.

Try adding or swapping in:

• Lemon or grapefruit peels
• Fresh ginger
• Whole cloves
• Cardamom pods
• Fresh cranberries
• A splash of vanilla extract

If you plan to drink your simmer pot afterward, stick with ingredients you would normally use in food or tea.

A Simple Way to Use Kitchen Scraps

We love any recipe that gives ingredients another moment of glory before they head to the compost bin.

If you’re eating an orange, save the peel.

If you’re slicing apples for oatmeal, snacks, or baking, save the clean tops and cores.

Tuck the scraps in a covered container in the refrigerator until you have enough to make your next simmer pot.

It’s one tiny way to get a little more out of the food already in your kitchen—and make your home smell wonderful in the process.

Frequently Asked Questions