10 Cocktail-Inspired Simmer Pot Blends for Summer Vibes

Because your home deserves to smell as good as your favourite cocktail tastes…

A Little Potpourri & Party Chat 🍹

I’ll be honest – I’m a sucker for a summer cocktail. There’s something about sipping a fruity mojito or a chilled glass of rosé that just feels like holiday mode. So I thought, why not bring that joy into our homes – with natural potpourri blends inspired by cocktails?

These 10 Cocktail-Inspired Simmer Pot Blends are perfect for summer parties or even as a cheeky gift idea. Each one captures the essence of a popular cocktail using dried fruit, herbs, petals, and spices. There are no synthetic fragrances—just nature doing its thing.

These blends will impress guests, set the scene for a garden gathering, or make your home smell lush.

What is a Simmer Pot (and Why You'll Love It)

A simmer pot (also known as a stovetop potpourri) is one of the easiest and most natural ways to fragrance your home. It’s simply a pot of water gently simmered with fragrant ingredients like dried fruit, herbs, flowers, and spices. As the mixture warms up, a beautiful aroma drifts through the house.

Think of it as a homemade air freshener without the artificial stuff. With just a few ingredients and a bit of heat, you’ve got an instant cosy, fresh, or festive atmosphere, depending on your blend.

How to Use a Simmer Pot

1. Start with a saucepan or small pot – fill it halfway with water.

2. Add ingredients – around 1–2 handfuls of your chosen potpourri blend.

3. Bring to a gentle simmer – low heat is perfect. Let it bubble gently.

4. Top up as needed – keep an eye on the water level and add more when it gets low.

You can keep it going for hours—just ensure there’s always water in the pot!

⚠️ Safety tip: Always supervise your simmer pot. Never leave it unattended, and keep it well out of reach of pets and small children.

Simmer Pot Do’s & Don’ts

✅ Do:

• Use a small saucepan or even a slow cooker.

• Keep an eye on the water level—top it up regularly.

• Experiment with scents depending on the season or occasion.

• Store your dry potpourri in a sealed jar until ready to use.

• Reuse the same mix for a few days (just store it in the fridge overnight).

🚫 Don’t:

• Leave your simmer pot unattended—especially if it's on the hob.

• Use too many strong ingredients at once (e.g. too much clove or eucalyptus can be overpowering).

• Let it boil dry! That’s a one-way ticket to a burnt pot and a smoky kitchen.

• Add essential oils to the simmer pot—these are best for diffusers, not cooking heat.

• Leave it where curious pets or little hands can reach it.

10 Summer Potpourri Blends Inspired by Cocktails

Ready to dive into the fun part? Below are 10 gorgeous potpourri blends inspired by some iconic summer cocktails. Each one is packed with vibrant, natural ingredients that smell amazing and look just as lovely. Whether after something fresh and zesty or sweet and tropical, there’s a scent here to match the mood. Let’s raise a glass (or a saucepan) and get mixing!

1. Mojito Breeze

Inspired by: Mojito

Scent Profile: Fresh, citrusy and minty

What’s in it:

• Dried lime slices

• Crushed mint leaves

• Lemongrass

• Eucalyptus

• Sugar crystals (for a bit of sparkle)

2. Pina Colada Paradise

Inspired by: Piña Colada

Scent Profile: Sweet, tropical and creamy

What’s in it:

• Dried pineapple

• Coconut flakes

• Vanilla bean

• Hibiscus petals

• Cinnamon

3. Strawberry Daiquiri Dream

Inspired by: Strawberry Daiquiri

Scent Profile: Fruity and juicy

What’s in it:

• Dried strawberries

• Rose petals

• Lemon zest

• Vanilla pod bits

• Pink Himalayan salt

4. Citrus Sangria Sunset

Inspired by: Citrus Sangria

Scent Profile: Warm, zesty and a little spiced

What’s in it:

• Orange & lemon slices

• Dried apple

• Cinnamon sticks

• Star anise

• Cloves

5. Lavender Gin Fizz

Inspired by: Lavender Gin Fizz

Scent Profile: Floral, herbal, fresh

What’s in it:

• Lavender buds

• Juniper berries

• Lemon peel

• Thyme

• Blue cornflower

6. Peach Bellini Bloom

Inspired by: Peach Bellini

Scent Profile: Light, fruity and floral

What’s in it:

• Dried peach

• Marigold petals

• Orange zest

• Vanilla shavings

• Elderflower

7. Blue Lagoon Chill

Inspired by: Blue Lagoon

Scent Profile: Cool and citrusy

What’s in it:

• Dried lemon

• Blue cornflowers

• Mint

• Coconut

• Blue spirulina (for colour)

8. Cosmo Crush

Inspired by: Cosmopolitan

Scent Profile: Tart, elegant and bright

What’s in it:

• Dried cranberries

• Lime peel

• Hibiscus petals

• Orange zest

• Rosehip

9. Mango Margarita Zest

Inspired by: Mango Margarita

Scent Profile: Sweet with a zingy kick

What’s in it:

• Dried mango

• Lime peel

• Chili flakes (optional!)

• Basil or mint

• Crushed sea salt

10. Rosé All Day

Inspired by: Rosé wine

Scent Profile: Soft, floral and fruity

What’s in it:

• Rose petals

• Dried raspberries

• Elderflower

• Vanilla bean bits

• Pink salt crystals

How to Make Your Simmer Pot Blends

Making your potpourri is as easy as mixing and matching dried ingredients—there’s really no right or wrong way to do it. Trust your nose and have a bit of fun with it! We recommend starting with small batches, especially if you’re trying a new scent combination. That way, you’re not using many ingredients in one go—just in case it’s not quite your cup of tea (or cocktail!). You can always tweak and add more as you go. Think of it like mixing a drink—balance is key, but a little trial and error is all part of the magic.

Ideas for Using These Blends

As dry potpourri – display in bowls, jars or sachets

As a simmer pot – perfect for infusing your home with scent

As gifts or favours – ideal for parties, summer weddings or DIY hampers

10 Cocktail-Inspired Simmer Pot Blends: Final Sip…

These cocktail-inspired potpourri blends are a playful way to bring natural fragrance into your home, especially when the sun's out and the cocktails are flowing. Whether you’re hosting a garden party or just want that summer feeling indoors, these DIY scents are as easy as they are beautiful.

Want more simmer pot recipes, seasonal blends or DIY home fragrance ideas? Sign up to our newsletter and let’s keep the good smells (and good vibes) going!

FAQ – Cocktail-Inspired Potpourri Blends

1. Can I use fresh ingredients instead of dried? You can, especially if you use them immediately in a simmer pot. But dried ingredients last much longer and won't go mouldy for dry potpourri (used in bowls or jars). You can also dry your fruit and herbs at home.

2. How long does homemade potpourri last? Dry blends can last several months if stored in an airtight container away from moisture and sunlight. The scent might fade over time, but you can refresh it with a few drops of natural essential oil.

3. Can I reuse a simmer pot mix? Yes! Let it cool, strain out any mushy bits if needed, and pop it in the fridge. You can reheat it the next day. It is usually good for 2–3 uses, depending on the ingredients.

4. Is it safe around pets and kids? Simmer pots should always be supervised and kept well out of reach of children and pets. Some ingredients, like citrus or certain herbs, can be irritating or harmful to pets if ingested, so it’s best to play it safe.

5. Can I turn these blends into gifts or wedding favours? Absolutely! They make gorgeous natural gifts. Pop them in glass jars, sachets, or kraft paper bags with a little tag or label. They're perfect for party favours, summer hampers, or DIY pamper kits.