Name: Christmas Simmering Potpourri
Prep time: 5 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 5 min
Cuisine: American
Ingredients: 2 oranges, cut into slices; 1 thickly sliced with apple seed remaining in the apple; 3 or 4 sprigs of fresh mint leaves; 2 cups fresh cranberries; 2 or 3 cinnamon sticks; 1/2 cup mulling spices (this has orange peel, anise, and a wonderful blend of spices); sprig of rosemary or a small branch from your fresh holiday tree; 8 cups water, or use apple juice

Imagine opening the front door with the waft and aroma of all classic holiday spices simmering making your own Christmas potpourri, it's really fabulous!.

The instructions are super easy on how to make Christmas Simmering Potpourri and the best part is, this makes the best gifts for those hard-to-buy folks.

Just by adding all the dry ingredients to a mason jar with a little instructional note and a little basket of fresh fruit, this will be a wonderful addition to your Homemade Mason Jar give-gifting recipes.

I often premake a few jars with fresh herbs in little bags, a fresh assortment of whole spices along with cinnamon sticks.
Then just add a few fresh whole fruits in the basket to hand out on Christmas Eve for my guests to take home, this is the most asked-for holiday recipe when it comes to homemade potpourri.

If you happen to grow indoor herbs, this will always be available for you all year long, the smells will surely bring a smile using all the classic scents of the holidays in one pot.

For today's recipe and tips for the perfect scent of Christmas scroll through our page and printable recipe card on the bottom hit print to avoid any ads.

Christmas Holiday Potpourri Ideas

simmer on the stovetop
add to a slow cooker when hosting a party
add a mason jar of herbs and spices to a fruit basket for gifts with instructions
give other ideas to add to the pot with our suggestions below on how to make a dry spice mix to add to the pot

Shopping List (Measurements in the printable recipe card below)

fresh cranberries
mulling spices
fresh mint
fresh rosemary
water
orange slice and apple slices
cinnamon sticks
check out our Amazon Store Front Page ("paid affiliate link" see privacy policy disclaimer)

ingredients for holiday potporri, cranberries, oranges cinnamon, apples, herbs, spices

Other Suggestions and Tips

add a few cups of apple juice to the water
if you like the smell of cloves, add a few tablespoons to the water
decorate the table with pinecones, berries, nuts, and sprigs of rosemary and mint
add a few tablespoons of star anise
add whole nutmeg note: these all package perfectly for gift giving in a ziplock bag. Add small mandarin oranges, fresh apples, and a bag of cranberries.
Change the scent with all dried herbs in little baggies for a holiday gift basket with a how-to note
Always keep the dry mix of spices and herbs separately, and to preserve fresh herbs, add a little water to the ziplock bag or vacuum seal
Other Substitutes to Try in a Simmering Pot:
Instead of cinnamon sticks: Use ground cinnamon.
Instead of whole cloves: Use ground cloves.
Instead of star anise: Use fennel seeds or substitute with ground nutmeg or allspice for a different but warm aroma.
Instead of whole allspice berries: Use ground allspice
Instead of fresh ginger. Use ground ginger
Instead of fresh cranberries, use frozen cranberries.
Instead of fresh fruit, use dried fruit slices.
For a sweet note: Add a tablespoon of sugar or a splash of maple syrup or honey. To brighten the scent
Include a few drops of essential oils like orange, lemon, or lavender.

Pin for later

Festive Scents for Holiday Potpourri

As I mentioned adding the scents that you prefer can be adapted easily.

Mint leaves, rosemary sprigs, fresh cranberries, oranges, and apples are a family favorite and we are not big on the smell of cloves so we never add them so adapt away.

The scent of potpourri will create a beautiful holiday atmosphere and feel and smell terrific the entire day!

Christmas Simmering Potpourri

Author: Claudia Lamascolo

Prep time: 5 MinCook time: 2 HourTotal time: 2 H & 5 M

A wonderful festive holiday fragrance to waft through your home of a pot of simmering spices and herbs. Pure classic comforting smells of Christmas cheer.

Ingredients

2 oranges, cut into slices
1 apple thickly sliced (with apple seed remaining in the apple)
3 or 4 sprigs of fresh mint leaves
2 cups fresh cranberries
2 or 3 cinnamon sticks
1/2 cup mulling spices (this has orange peel, anise, and a wonderful blend of spices)
sprig of rosemary or a small branch from your fresh holiday tree
8 cups water, or use apple juice

Instructions

Slice the fruits and gather all the spices together and ingredients you are using for your potpourri.
Fill a Dutch oven with water.
Add the cranberries, sliced fruits, cinnamon sticks, mulling spices and herbs.
Place the cover and bring to a very low simmer for 2 hours.
Slow Cooker: place on high for 4 hours.

Notes

Other Suggestions and Tips

add a few cups of apple juice to of water
if you like the smell of cloves add a few tablespoons to the water
decorate the table with pinecones, berries, nuts, and sprigs of rosemary and mints
add a few tablespoons of star anise
add hole nutmeg
note: these all package perfectly for gift giving in a ziplock bag
add small mandarin oranges, fresh apples, and a bag of cranberries to your gift basket
note: always keep the dry mix of spice and herbs separately and to preserve fresh herbs add a little water to the ziplock bag or vacuum seal