There’s something about the first cool days of fall that makes home feel a little different. The blankets come back out, mornings call for something warm to drink, and suddenly the scent of apples, oranges and cinnamon feels exactly right.
One of my favorite ways to bring a little of that feeling home is with a fall simmer pot.
It’s incredibly simple: a few pieces of fruit, some warm spices, water and a pot on the stove. As everything gently simmers, your home fills with the coziest fall fragrance.
And the best part? You probably already have most of what you need.
What You’ll Need
For this easy fall simmer pot:
- 1 orange, sliced
- 1 apple, sliced
- 2–3 cinnamon sticks
- 1 tablespoon whole cloves
- 2–3 sprigs fresh rosemary (optional)
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract (optional)
- Water
The orange keeps the fragrance fresh while the apple, cinnamon and cloves give you that classic warm fall scent.
I love adding rosemary for something a little more earthy and fresh. If you’d rather make it warmer and sweeter, add a splash of vanilla instead.
How to Make a Fall Simmer Pot
Add the sliced orange, apple, cinnamon sticks and cloves to a medium or large saucepan. Add rosemary or vanilla if you’re using them.
Cover everything generously with water and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat.
Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let the fragrance slowly fill your home.
That’s it.
Just keep an eye on the water level and add more as it evaporates. Never allow the pot to simmer dry or leave it unattended on the stove.
Make It Your Own
The nice thing about a simmer pot is that you really don’t need to follow a perfect recipe.
I also love to adorn my stovetop with a festive pot during the holidays. Adding a pot like this from Wayfair to your collection for festive fall soups and a delicious fall scent can bring joy for years to come.
Try adding fresh cranberries as Thanksgiving gets closer, a few pieces of star anise for more spice, or pear in place of the apple. Even leftover citrus peels can go into the pot instead of being thrown away.
A few combinations to try:
Classic Fall: Apple + orange + cinnamon + cloves
Fresh & Woodsy: Orange + cinnamon + rosemary
Warm & Cozy: Apple + cinnamon + cloves + vanilla
Thanksgiving: Orange + cranberry + cinnamon + rosemary
Think of the recipe as a starting point and adjust it to whatever smells like fall to you.
One of Those Little Fall Things
I love seasonal decorating, but some of my favorite ways to celebrate fall aren’t really decorating at all.
They’re the little rituals.
Making the first soup of the season. Pulling a favorite sweater from the back of the closet. Lighting a candle before dinner. Bringing a few branches in from the yard.
Or throwing apple, orange and cinnamon into a pot simply because it’s a chilly afternoon and you want the house to smell wonderful.
This fall simmer pot is exactly that kind of thing—simple, cozy and just a little special.
Sometimes those are the things that make home feel best.
Happy fall.
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