Earl Grey Simmer Pot
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This fragrant Earl Grey simmer pot recipe blends Earl Grey tea bags with fresh herbs, lemon and orange slices, cinnamon sticks, and vanilla bean paste for an inviting, citrus-y scent. Heated in a pot on the stovetop, it makes a lovely natural alternative to air fresheners, candles, and potpourri, and is a great way to repurpose leftover bags of Earl Grey tea.
What Inspired My Earl Grey Simmer Pot?
Although I’m most reliant on simmer pots during the celebratory Christmas period (and to get me through the cold, dreary months that follow!) I also love to create other seasonal-inspired scents. It all started with this spring simmer pot with blueberries and lavender, and from there I found myself on a roll: lime and thyme, citrus fruit, rainbow-themed ingredients, fresh roses. If you can simmer it, I’ll simmer it.
The idea for this Earl Grey simmer pot emerged after I developed and tested my recipes for Earl Grey chocolate truffles and Earl Grey ice cream, and found myself left with a half-full box of Earl Grey tea. Although this bergamot-forward tea blend is popular in the UK, it’s not my personal favorite for drinking (a lavender London fog being the one exception!), but I do love the way it smells. So, I thought I’d work the extra tea into a simmer pot, something I’d tried previously for my vanilla simmer pot with chai.
Key Ingredients
- Tea Bags – I used five Earl Grey tea bags. Although I prefer loose leaf tea for recipes like my Earl Grey and white chocolate ganache, for a simmer pot it’s much easier and cleaner to stick with tea bags instead.
- Fresh Fruit – Blueberries add a fruity scent, while orange, and lemon highlight Earl Grey’s citrus notes.
- Cinnamon – I used two whole cinnamon sticks. If you have some left over, you can use them to make vanilla poached peaches or mulled wine, or as stirring sticks for glasses of hot buttered brandy.
- Herbs – A small bunch of fresh thyme and a bunch of fresh sage add an herbal note, and a pop of bright green color. Feel free to experiment with other fresh herbs, like rosemary or basil. Do not use dried herbs.
- Vanilla – You can use a spoonful of vanilla bean paste, or a whole vanilla pod. Don’t use extract in this simmer pot; it’s mostly alcohol, and not fragrant enough to give off the scent of vanilla.
Earl Grey Simmer Pot
- Total Time5 minutes
- Yield1 simmer pot 1x
A fragrant Earl Grey simmer pot recipe made with spices, fresh herbs, citrus fruit, vanilla bean paste, and Earl Grey tea.
Ingredients
5 Earl Grey tea bags
50 grams fresh blueberries (1/3 cup)
2 cinnamon sticks
Small bunch fresh thyme
Small bunch fresh sage
1 tablespoon vanilla bean paste, or 1 vanilla pod, split lengthwise
1 orange, thinly sliced
1 lemon, thinly sliced
Instructions
Fill a large saucepan or stock pot with water, allowing a few inches of space at the top.
Add all ingredients to the pot.
Bring to a gentle simmer on the stovetop.
Simmer over low heat for as long as desired, topping up with additional water as needed.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Simmer Pots
- Method: Stovetop
Can I Re-Use This Simmer Pot?
Like my lime and thyme and citrus simmer pots, you can save this Earl Grey simmer pot and use it again the next day. To save, remove the pot from the stovetop. Use a slotted spoon to remove and discard the tea bags—they will disintegrate if left in water overnight—cover, and store in a cool place until ready to reuse. To simmer a second time, remove the lid and “top up” with fresh water. Add new Earl Grey tea bags, as well as a handful of fresh thyme and/or sage.
Simmer Pot Safety
Never leave a simmer pot unattended on the stovetop. Top up with more water as needed, and do not allow the pot to run dry. And while this simmer pot contains edible ingredients, it is not meant to be eaten. After enjoying the scent, pass the contents through a colander or fine mesh strainer to drain the liquid, then discard the waterlogged fruit, tea bags, and spices with food waste or compost, or in your regular household waste bin.
Other Earl Grey Recipes You Might Enjoy
Earl Grey Shortbread Cookies
Earl Grey Truffles
Earl Grey Ganache
Earl Grey Ice Cream
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!
