Fall is just around the corner, and as the air turns crisp and beach days grow shorter, it is the perfect time to embrace a cozier pace of life at your beach home. Along with swapping out summer décor for warm blankets and autumn accents, one of the simplest ways to refresh your space is by filling it with the scents of the season. Instead of relying solely on candles or store-bought sprays, a simmer pot provides a natural, customizable, and nostalgic way to infuse your home with the cozy aroma of autumn.
What is a Simmer Pot?
Imagine walking through the front door and into a home where the aroma of brewed mulled cider, simmering on the stove, has already filled the air. Congratulations, you’ve experienced the essence of a simmer pot. Think of it as stovetop potpourri—combine water with your favorite fall ingredients, bring it to a gentle simmer, and let the fragrance drift through your home.
Why Use a Simmer Pot in the Fall?
With fall gatherings, football weekends, and beachside dinners moving indoors, a simmer pot can set the perfect seasonal mood. It’s cost-effective, eco-friendly, and a clever way to use up leftover ingredients from your kitchen. Apple peels from pie baking, orange rinds from cocktails, or even cinnamon sticks from your pantry can transform into an inviting fragrance that makes your beach home feel extra welcoming. Plus, you can easily change up your recipe depending on the vibe—warm and spicy for cozy evenings or citrusy and crisp for bright autumn afternoons.
How to Make a Fall Simmer Pot
Creating your own simmer pot couldn’t be easier. Here’s how to bring autumn into every corner of your beach home:
Ingredients
- Classic fall staples: apple slices, orange peels, cinnamon sticks, and cloves.
- For an earthy, cozy feel: star anise, nutmeg, and bay leaves.
- For a twist: cranberries, vanilla extract, or even a splash of apple cider.
Mix and match to craft your signature fall blend—the beauty is that there’s no wrong combination.
Pots
Any pot will work, from a Dutch oven or saucepan to a slow cooker, for an all-day simmer. For attractive, Instagram-worthy options, try copper pots for a rustic fall feel or a glass pot to present an artful display of your simmer pot ingredients.
Temperature & Duration
Bring your mixture to a boil, then reduce to a low simmer. Top off with water as needed, and enjoy the warm, lingering scent for hours.
Fall Simmer Pot Recipes
If you’re new to simmer pots and would rather start with a recipe than experiment, here are a few fall-inspired blends to try. These combinations were chosen for their warm, cozy, and spicy notes that instantly evoke the autumn season:
Autumn Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
- peel from one orange
- 1/2 apple, sliced
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
- 2 inches of ginger, sliced
- 2-4 star anise
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1 tsp whole cloves
Full recipe: My Moonstone Kitchen
Apple Pie Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
- 1 large apple, thinly sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 2 star anise pods
- 10-12 whole cloves
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 4–6 cups of water or enough fresh water to cover the ingredients in the pot
Optional: add a pinch of nutmeg or pumpkin pie spice for an even richer fall scent.
Full recipe: Life on Summerhill
Cranberry & Cinnamon Stove Top Potpourri
Ingredients:
- 2 oranges, sliced
- 3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 cup cranberries
- 3 teaspoons ground cloves
- 2 teaspoons nutmeg
- 2 sprigs of rosemary
Full recipe: Rachel Schultz on Homemaking
Pumpkin Spice Potpourri Simmer Pot
Ingredients:
- 1 small pie pumpkin
- Fresh sage leaves
- Brown sugar cubes or maple syrup, about ¼ of a cup
- 1 – 2 teaspoons ground cloves
- 6 cups of filtered water
Full recipe: Get Green Be Well
Cold and Flu Fighting Stovetop Potpourri
Ingredients:
- 1 liter of water
- 5 orange slices
- 1 tbsp whole cloves
- 1 tsp dried rosemary
- 2 cinnamon sticks
- 3 drops of eucalyptus essential oil
Full recipe: Fireflies & Mud Pies
Want more simmer pot recipes? Check out this article from our sister site, Lake Homes Lifestyles.