This post may contain affiliate links. Please read the disclosure policy to learn more.
Thank you for supporting this blog!

On a cold winter evening, warm up with this fragrant star anise and orange simmer pot recipe featuring fresh citrus, spices, and herbs. This easy orange stovetop potpourri offers a natural alternative to artificial room sprays and air fresheners.

Why Make This Star Anise and Orange Simmer Pot Recipe?

The middle of winter marks my last favorite part of the entire calendar year. The hustle and bustle of the holiday season feels like a distant memory, but spring still seems a million miles away. To spice up these mid-winter doldrums, I turn to simmer pots. Made by filling a stock pot with water and natural ingredients like fresh fruit, herbs, plants, and spices, these homemade potpourris make the miserable winter days just a tiny bit more bearable.

I always keep big bags of dried spices in my pantry, and love blending them to create new simmer pot scents. Some of my past creations include this spring simmer pot recipe with blueberries and lemon, this citrus simmer pot recipe, and a gingerbread simmer pot recipe with spices inspired by the classic gingerbread cookie.

My easy orange simmer pot recipe combines slices of fresh navel orange with star anise, cinnamon sticks, whole cloves, fennel seeds, and fresh rosemary for a balanced mix of citrus and spice. As they simmer on the stovetop, these ingredients release their natural oils to create an inviting fragrance that will brighten even the drabbest winter day.

Orange Simmer Pot Recipe Ingredients

To make this orange stovetop potpourri, start by gathering the following ingredients:

Star Anise – Star anise is a star-shaped spice known for its licorice-like scent and flavor. It is commonly used in Asian cuisine (like Chinese five-spice powder, soups, and braised dishes) as well as in mulled wine.
Cinnamon Sticks – I always have a big bag of cinnamon sticks in the kitchen cabinet. (In addition to simmer pots, they’re a must for Indian cuisine.) I recommend purchasing cinnamon sticks in bulk rather than the tiny jars found in the baking aisle. You can find bulk cinnamon sticks on Amazon, or in the international section at most supermarkets.
Whole Cloves – These dried flower buds from the clove tree feature a warm, spicy scent and flavor that adds a festive touch to holiday dishes, spice blends, and mulled wines. I also use whole cloves when cooking Indian dishes.

Ingredients for making an orange simmer pot potpourri — Orange simmer pot recipe ingredients

Fennel Seeds – Small, aromatic seeds found in Italian, Indian, and Middle Eastern recipes. In this simmer pot, their scent echoes the licorice notes of the star anise. Save the rest of the bottle for topping a loaf of homemade bread—fennel seeds make a nice alternative to caraway or sesame seeds.
Fresh Rosemary – I like to keep a rosemary plant on my windowsill so I can clip a sprig or two to add to my simmer pots, but you can buy packaged rosemary at the supermarket, too. If you have a few sprigs left over, use it to make my cranberry compote or rosemary shortbread cookies, too.
Navel Orange – Or any other citrus you’d like. Simmer pots are ideal for using up slightly-past-its-prime fruit.

Storing and Re-Using a Homemade Simmer Pot

You can save your simmer pot and reuse it later. To save, remove the pot from the stove and cover with a lid. When ready to reuse, top up the pot with fresh water. I also like to add some fresh orange slices and/or a fresh sprig of rosemary to my pot.

Safety Considerations for Simmer Pot Recipes

Never leave a simmering pot unattended. Add more water as needed—do not allow your orange simmer pot to run dry.

While this simmer pot recipe contains edible ingredients, it is not meant to be eaten. After simmering, allow the contents to cool then pass the contents through a colander to drain the liquid. Dispose of orange slices and spices along with food waste or in a compost bin.

Other simmer pot recipes you might enjoy:

Gingerbread Christmas Simmer Pot Recipe
Spring Simmer Pot Recipe
Rose Simmer Pot Potpourri
Citrus Simmer Pot Recipe

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!