How to make Stovetop Holiday Potpourri
This holiday potpourri recipe is like bottling up the Christmas smell! It’s a great way to make your home smell like the holidays and makes a fantastic gift.
I mention this every so often, but me and my husband moved a lot after coming here to the US 8 years ago.. Sushant’s job often had new opportunities in different states, so we moved every 2-3 years, which made for plenty of chances to meet new people, learn how to get along some place new, and experience new things. Even so, it was a lot of constant change.
Coming from India, Christmas was not as grand a celebration in our surroundings as it is here in the states. My first time experiencing the elaborate celebrations was in Utah- lights everywhere and decorated Christmas trees and gingerbread cookies and hot chocolate and eggnog - the whole ordeal. And Utah is what I associate holiday season with - pine trees, snowy mountains, sweaters and lots of lights.
So whenever I make this stovetop potpourri, it reminds me of Utah. The same scent might invoke a different emotion in you, maybe your childhood and how your kitchen smelled around holidays. In any case, this is something that’ll instantly make you feel cozy and safe.
Citrus and warm spices instantly remind you of the holidays. You can use them in a number of combinations to get all different kinds of scents, or better yet, pour them all in.
This year, I decided to bottle up these scents and gift them to my neighbors along with other holiday treats.
Here Are The Ingredients For Stovetop Christmas Potpourri:
Oranges, Lemons, or Grapefruit. The citrus adds brightness and freshness that’s so lovely with the spices and herbs. I used tangerines and lemons because that’s what I had in hand but oranges, mandarines and grapefruits work too!
Cranberries. These are super affordable this time of year, and add a lovely touch in the pot.
Rosemary. Fresh or dried - this adds depth and an almost pine-y scent to Christmas potpourri. It’s gorgeous with the citrus.
Cinnamon Sticks . These are less messy, easier to package for gifting, and the scent is longer-lasting.
Star Anise. A staple in my kitchen, I like to add this to my potpourri. But you can totally skip if you don’t have any.
Cloves. A few go a long way.
Apples. Gives that fruity touch to an all citrus-y scent and I’m a stickler for it.
Option 1 : Lemon, Rosemary and Cinnamon sticks.
This simple 3-ingredient option can be made anytime as you can find it in your kitchen anytime.
I used dried rosemary because that’s what I had, but fresh is even better!
Option 2: Pine, Cinnamon and Candy Cane (yeah, you read that right)
Although I did not mention candy cane as one of the ingredients above, but believe me it’s as effective as any other one. The peppermint in the candy cane combined with cinnamon and pine will definitely bring out the holiday spirit in you.
Option 3: Cranberries, Lime, Pine, Cloves and Star Anise
Want to get a little complex scent, just increase the number of ingredients and add a little citrus.
I always like a little fruity hints with my citrus so I add some apples in there too, but that’s totally optional.
Option 4: ALL IN!
Yup, that’s right! Add all of the ingredients together- Orange, Lemon, Cranberries, Apple, Pine, Rosemary, Cinnamon, Star Anise and Cloves.
Add a little nutmeg and sage to take it to another level.
Bottle up the ingredients in mason jars and give your family, friends and neighbors the gift of nostalgia because everyone will have some association with these scents. Dress the jars with some twine or ribbons and don’t forget to add some gift tags. I printed mine up that says Stovetop Potpourri. You can also add some personalized message to yours.
Here’s How To Make It Smell Like Christmas! (Directions for Stovetop Potpourri)
Slice your citrus. Not only does this look pretty, but also gives you better access to the oils in citrus peel.
Place all ingredients in a saucepan with 4-6 cups water. (You’ll refill the water as needed while it simmers.
Bring to a simmer over low heat. You don’t want a boil–just a very slight simmer.
Let it simmer as long as you like, adding more water as needed. You can simmer stovetop potpourri for hours on low heat–just check the water level, since water will evaporate over time.
