Summer Simmer Pot Recipes

Looking for a natural way to fill your home with the fresh clean scents of summer? We'll be using the season's freshest citrus fruits – lemons, limes, oranges, and even grapefruit – alongside fragrant herbs like rosemary, thyme, and mint to create fresh summer fragrances. Lavender adds a calming note, creating an uplifting and inviting atmosphere for your home.

These simmer pots are easy to make, last for hours, and are perfect for anyone who wants to skip the artificial fragrances (taking about you, scented candles). Read on to learn how to bring a clean fragrance of summer indoors! If you prefer that your home smells like baking, or rich spices, this 15+ fall and winter simmer pot ideas post may also interest you!

Why I love these Summer Scents

Fresh Scents: Simmer pots are a natural way to fill your home with the uplifting aromas of summer fruits and herbs. They make your house smell amazing! Clean and fresh combinations can also make you feel cooler.

Customizable Creations: With endless combinations of citrus, herbs, and florals, you can tailor your simmer pot to your mood and the season.

Budget-Friendly Bliss: Simmer pots utilize everyday ingredients, saving you money compared to store-bought air fresheners. I often use citrus peals (or ends), and when I have excess herbs (purchased or from the garden), it's another use for them.

Eco-Friendly: This is a mindful and eco-friendly approach to home fragrance with reusable ingredients and minimal waste. As mentioned above, use excess herbs, peelings from citrus etc. When finished, it can all go into the compost pile.

All Natural & No Chemicals: As much as I love buying scented candles, I worry about what I'm putting in the air and breathing. These are all natural scents with zero chemicals!

Ingredients

Most of the summer simmer combinations I'll be highlighting start with these ingredients. There are so many more, but I personally love the lighter, clean smells for the summer.

Fresh mint, rosemary, thyme along with dried lavender (fresh is great if you have some!) and peppercorns are some stronger scents.

I love using citrus as a main fresh scent. Use pretty slices if this will be publicly displayed, or give new life to citrus peelings, chopped off ends or that leftover ½ of a lemon or lime from a recipe. If your fruit is past it's prime, use it here!

Refreshing Combination Ideas

Lemon Slices and Rosemary Sprigs

This is my personal favorite. Fresh, clean and so easy to put together!

The William Sanoma Scent

It's just the above (lemon, rosemary) with a generous splash of vanilla!

The Mojito!

Simple and fresh combination of lime slices and mint. If you have mint in your garden like me, you know you have an endless supply! Or use up what's left after making cocktails.

The Spa Vibe

Add some sliced cucumbers to your lemon and mint combination to get a relaxing at the spa feeling.

Serene Citrus Simmer

Enjoy the bright zest of grapefruit with calming lavender, creating a tranquil and uplifting atmosphere for your home. Lavender is always such a relaxing scent! If you happen to have fresh lavender, take this to the next level and add that! Lavender leaves also have that amazing smell!

My Favorite Zen Scent

Keeping it simple by using sliced lemons, rosemary springs and some lavender. As mentioned above, I always try to use fresh lavender from my garden if I have it available! It's a great scent to wind down the day.

Simple Citrus Simmer

You don't need a complicated array of 'stuff' to create a beautiful and nicely scented combination. If the grocery store has citrus on sale, just grab one of each (lemon, lime and orange and maybe grapefruit).

Dreamsicle

The perfect smell of summer! Who doesn't remember an icy dreamsicle popsicle on a hot summer day. The combination of orange slices and a splash of vanilla with take you and your family and friends back to reminisce about this favorite summer treat.

Zesty with Spice

This invigorating pot combines sunshine-y lemon slices with a touch of peppery warmth. The result? A clean, energizing scent that awakens your senses and uplifts your mood.

Simmer to Impress

Both visually with the pretty contrassting colors of the sliced citrus fruits (I usually do lemon, orange and lime) plus fresh herbs including rosemarry and thyme. Then a little visual and scenty boost, add some peppercorns - colorful mixed ones if you have them!

The Vacation simmer

This vibrant pot combines the zesty kick of limes with the refreshing coolness of mint leaves. A touch of earthy thyme and warming ginger adds depth. It feels like a vacation for both your senses and you!

Inexpensive Simmer Pot Ingredients

Yes, I know how expensive these types of ingredients can be! Here is how I save money and where I obtain mine.

1. Use what is leftover from a recipe. That includes the ½ lime, the lemon you used for zest or the lemon rinds you have after making lemonade.
2. Check your fridge for ingredients! Yes I seem to always have some ginger or fruit that is past it's prime but still perfect for simmering for it's scent.
3. What's growing in the garden? Especially the herbs. Experiment and try to come up with your own herbal combination from what you have handy.
4. Grocery store sales - When citrus fruit is on sale, I always buy some to simmer. Nothing expensive and not in great quantities - unless it's a 3 for a $1 sale and then I can't help myself!
5. Check your baking drawer/cupboard. Or your spice cupboard. Do you have just a drop left in your vanilla bottle? Or, some cinnamon sticks that are who knows how old? Use up what you have. Don't toss it until it does just one more job!

All these tips apply to the fall and winter simmer pots too!

What to use as a simmer pot?

I ONLY use food items in my simmer pots so I'm comfortable using my slow cooker or my saucepans. The slow cooker that is in the pictures is this 1 ½ quart white slow cooker. I paid $12 for it at a local store. It is smaller than a regular slow cooker but I do use it when cooking smaller portions or when I want to keep a dip hot.

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