Spring Simmer Pot Recipe

Last Updated on March 16, 2026 by becky

Easy to make and highly adaptable, this spring simmer pot recipe will fill your home with the refreshing scents of spring.

Why Make This Spring Simmer Pot Recipe?

During the cold autumn and winter months, I love to make my own simmer pots, and often do so a few times per week. Stirred together in a stock pot and simmered on the stovetop, these homemade fragrance blends (basically a stovetop potpourri) offer a natural alternative to room sprays, candles, wax plug-ins, air fresheners, and other artificial scents.

Around the holiday season, my simmer pots often feature fall and winter-appropriate scents, like pumpkin spice, gingerbread, or cranberries. But as we head into warmer weather, I like using scent blends that allow me “think spring,” instead of making me feel like it’s still Christmastime.

An Easy Spring Simmer Pot Recipe

This DIY simmer pot recipe features blueberries, lemon, lavender, and mint. (Incidentally, the combo of lemon and blueberry makes a refreshing beverage, too!) It smells absolutely heavenly, and could not be easier to make.

To prepare, simply fill a large pot with water, add the ingredients (I’ve included measurements, but you can “eyeball it” if you wish!) and simmer on the stovetop over very low heat. Within minutes, you’ll be enjoying the lovely scents of spring.

What are The Best Things About This Blueberry, Lemon and Lavender Simmer Pot?

In addition to being easy to make, this lavender and lemon simmer pot allows plenty of flexibility. You can double up on the ingredients you love (an extra tablespoon of lavender, for instance, or an additional cinnamon stick) or omit ingredients you don’t have on hand. You can also change things up by including other fruits, herbs, and spices. See my suggestions below.

Simmer pots are particularly great because they’re easy to reuse. Once you’ve finished enjoying the fragrance, remove the pot from the stovetop and cover it with a lid. When it’s time for another hit of lavender, cinnamon, and lemon, just top up the pot with additional water, return to the stovetop, re-warm, and enjoy. I usually get at least two simmers out of each pot.

Stovetop Potpourri Ingredients

To make this spring simmer pot, you’ll need the following ingredients:

• Blueberries – For maximum fragrance (and the prettiest appearance) fresh blueberries work best. If you have some left over, save them to make a blueberry galette, blueberry sorbet, or homemade blueberry simple syrup.
• Lemon – You’ll need one fresh lemon, thinly sliced. If desired, you can use another citrus fruit (like orange or lime) either alone or in addition to the lemon slices.
• Mint – I love the combination of ginger, lavender, blueberries and mint. But if you don’t have fresh mint, feel free to substitute another fresh herb, like basil or thyme. Do not use dried herbs.

• Ginger – You’ll need about 60 grams (a 4-inch piece) of fresh ginger. No need to peel—just slice it and toss it in the pot, peels and all.
• Lavender – If you’ve already made my lavender sugar cubes or my lavender sugar cookies, you already have plenty of culinary dried lavender flowers on hand. If not, I suggest buying a bag. Dried lavender is great for making everything from sachets to simple syrup.
• Cinnamon – I buy mt cinnamon sticks in bulk. In addition to simmer pots, you’ll find that they come in handy for savory Indian dishes; desserts like poached peaches; or beverages such as mulled wine or hot buttered brandy.

Tools and Equipment

The only requirements for this recipe are a pot and a stovetop. I prefer to use a large, heavy-bottomed stock pot, but you can also use a medium saucepan. (I make smaller simmer pots all the time—just reduce the ingredients and the amount of water, so everything fits in the pan with a few inches of room at the top.)

Re-Using Your Simmer Pot

After you’ve assembled and enjoyed your spring simmer pot, you can save and re-use it 2-3 more times. When not in use, place a lid on the pot (and obviously turn off the stove!) To re-use, just top up with additional water as needed, and enjoy.

Making This Recipe Your Own

• Change up the berries. Substitute blackberries, cherries, blackcurrant, or redcurrant in lieu of (or in addition to) the blueberries.
• Use different herbs. I love the smell of mint (and since it grows quickly, this simmer pot makes a great way to use up all of that extra mint from your windowsill herb garden) but fresh basil would be equally nice for spring.
• Try different citrus. For a citrus simmer pot, substitute (or add) slices of orange, lime, or even grapefruit. (Or, just make my citrus simmer pot recipe instead!)

DIY Simmer Pot Safety

Never leave the simmering pot unattended. I always stay in the same room so I can keep an eye on the stove, and can top up the simmer pot with additional water as needed. Don’t allow the pan to run dry, and avoid using it when there are kids or pets nearby.

Simmer pots are meant to be smelled, not eaten! Although the ingredients are natural, I don’t recommend eating or drinking the contents of the pot. Once you’re done enjoying the scent created by your DIY simmer pot, use a mesh sieve to drain the liquid, then dispose of the water-logged fruit, herbs, and spices with your regular trash, or add them to the compost bin.

Other simmer pot recipes you might enjoy:

Lime and Thyme Simmer Pot
Rainbow Simmer Pot
Rose Simmer Pot
Vanilla Chai Simmer Pot
Star Anise and Orange 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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