As soon as November hits, the transition from Halloween to Christmas-themed decorations is so disorienting that it will make your head spin. How do they get rid of the Halloween section at Target so quickly? The world may never know.
If you’re equally confused at the sudden seasonal transition, the best approach is to enter the holiday season with baby steps. There’s no need to worry about a Christmas tree or gift shopping quite yet, but something small like this Christmas simmer pot will get you in the holiday spirit without overextending yourself. You’ll get the smell of the holidays without all the stress, plus, it makes a delightful tea to drink once you’re finished with it.
How to make a holiday simmer pot
To make the simmer pot, you’ll first need a pot and access to a stovetop. Begin by filling the pot about ⅔ full with water. To add in, you’ll need one orange, two red apples, about a cup of whole cranberries. Slice your apples and orange.
To really give it that spicy, warm scent, you’ll need about 4 sprigs of rosemary, 3 star anise, 3 cinnamon sticks, and a tablespoon of cloves.
Add all of the ingredients into the pot, making sure to add your bulkiest ingredients first, and your smallest ingredients at the end (like the spices). For the finishing touch, add a splash of vanilla extract. Cover your pot and bring your liquid to a boil before reducing the heat and letting it simmer on low for two to three hours. Throughout the time, add more water as needed. Since the liquid will become extra saturated, you can also strain the ingredients out and drink the leftover liquid as a fruity, spicy tea!
Merry sniffing!