Citrus Simmer Pot Recipe

Last Updated on February 27, 2026 by becky

Made with lemon, orange, grapefruit, ginger, cardamom and thyme, this fragrant citrus simmer pot recipe offers a natural alternative to candles, plug-ins, and artificial sprays.

What Inspired This Citrus Simmer Pot Recipe?

I love finding ways to make my living space feel comfortable and cozy, but I’m not a big fan of artificial smells like room sprays, candles, and air fresheners. (I do enjoy a good reed diffuser, but they’re so expensive, and the smell only lasts for a short time.) So for me, it’s homemade simmer pots for the win. In addition to providing a natural alternative, simmer pots are extremely affordable, highly customizable, and easy to prepare using kitchen staples like spices, fruit, and fresh herbs.

This citrus simmer pot recipe features vibrant red grapefruit, lemon, and navel orange, all sliced thinly to release their citrus-y scents. Toss in slices of fresh ginger (no need to peel!) to enhance the citrus notes, plus a few sprigs of lemon thyme for an herbal note. Finally, I’ve added whole cardamom pods for a sweet, spicy warmth that ties all of the scents together.

Ingredients for Making a Citrus Simmer Pot

To make your homemade citrus simmer pot, start by gathering the following:

• Red Grapefruit – I used red grapefruit, but white is equally fragrant. If you overbuy, I suggest saving the leftovers to make my grapefruit-infused water recipe.
• Lemon and Orange – You’ll need one whole lemon and one whole navel orange, cut into very thin slices.
• Fresh Ginger – No need to peel, but do cut your ginger into 1/4-inch slices so it doesn’t sink to the bottom of the pot. And save the rest! It’s great for making candied ginger, or homemade ginger syrup.
• Lemon Thyme – 3-4 sprigs, or more if desired. I like to grow lemon thyme on my windowsill during the spring and summer, but you can also use sprigs of regular thyme.
• Cardamom Pods – Whole cardamom pods add a sweet, warm, and spicy note to this citrus simmer pot. Save the rest of the jar for cardamom tea, mulled wine, or a lime and thyme simmer pot.

Simmer Pot Recipe Variations

I made my simmer pot with grapefruit, lemon, and orange, but feel free to experiment! Other citrus fruit (lime, kumquat, yuzu, blood orange, pomelo, bergamot) would also make lovely, fragrant additions to a stovetop potpourri. You can:

• Add other fruit or berries. You can make your simmer pot with blueberries, blackberries, cranberries, or redcurrant, or adding sliced pears or apples to the pot.
• Use different herbs. I think lemon thyme blends particularly well with the citrus scents, but feel free to swap it for rosemary, lavender, lemongrass, or mint.
• Mix in some spices. Try cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, or even a whole vanilla pod.

Which Pot Should I Use for a Simmer Pot?

To make this citrus simmer pot, you’ll need a large pot. I like to use a heavy-bottomed stock pot (the kind you’d use for making homemade soup) but a medium saucepan will also work. I frequently make mini simmer pots—just halve the ingredients and reduce the amount of water, so everything fits in the saucepan.

Re-Using Your Homemade Simmer Pot

After you’ve assembled and enjoyed this citrus simmer pot, you can save and re-use it 1-2 more times. Remove from the stove and cover the pot with a lid, then top up with fresh water when ready to reuse.

Simmer Pot Recipe Safety

Do not leave your simmer pot unattended on the stovetop. Stay nearby so you can keep an eye on the stove, and add more water to the pot as needed. Do not allow your citrus simmer pot to run out of water, and be careful if you have young children or pets nearby.

Also, even though this simmer pot contains edible ingredients, it’s meant to be smelled rather than ingested. After enjoying the scent, drain the liquid, then toss the water-logged fruit and and spices in the food waste or compost bin.

Other simmer pot recipes you might enjoy:

Rose Simmer Pot
Spring Simmer Pot
Orange and Anise Simmer Pot
Vanilla Simmer Pot with Chai
Rainbow Simmer Pot

And if you do make these, or any of my recipes, don’t forget to tag me @bastecutfold or use the hashtag #bastecutfold on Instagram. I always love to see what you’re making!

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