Berry Lemonade Simmer Pot Blend
There’s something about fresh lemonade and summer that just seems to go together.
Add a handful of berries and a little fresh mint, and that familiar summer combination can become a simple simmer pot blend for your home.
This Berry Lemonade Simmer Pot Blend combines lemon, berries, and mint for a bright, fruity scent, with an optional touch of vanilla if you prefer it a little sweeter.
Fresh berries work beautifully, but this is also a great place to use frozen berries or those last few pieces of fruit that aren’t quite at their best for eating anymore.
Berry Lemonade Simmer Pot Blend
You’ll Need
1 lemon, sliced
½ cup fresh or frozen berries — strawberries, raspberries, blueberries, or a combination
3–4 sprigs fresh mint
½–1 teaspoon vanilla extract, optional
3–4 cups water, plus more as needed
How to Make It
Add the lemon, berries, and mint to a small saucepan. Add the vanilla if you’re using it.
(If you’d rather keep it off the stovetop, you can also make simmer pot blends in a slow cooker.)
Pour in enough water to generously cover the ingredients.
Bring the water just to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat to low and allow everything to simmer.
As the berries warm, they’ll naturally soften and begin releasing their juices, so there’s no need to mash or crush them.
Check the pot regularly and add more water as it evaporates. Never allow a simmer pot to boil dry.
Continue adding water and simmering the blend as long as the scent remains pleasant.
Fresh or Frozen Berries Both Work
One of the nice things about this blend is that you don’t need picture-perfect berries.
A few strawberries that have become a little too soft, the handful of blueberries left in the container, or berries you’ve already tucked into the freezer can all work.
You can also mix them.
Strawberries and raspberries will give the blend a sweeter berry scent, while blueberries can be combined with either one.
And there’s no need to use an entire container of berries. A little goes a long way once everything begins to warm.
Gigi Says
Before you toss those last few berries or the end of a lemon, think simmer pot.
If you’re not ready to use them, freeze the fruit first and add it to your Simmer Pot Freezer Bag.
I like freezing fruit pieces individually on a tray before transferring them to the freezer bag. That way, you can grab exactly what you need instead of dealing with one big frozen clump.
Keep mint and other herbs in their own small, labeled bags. Once they’re frozen, different herbs can look surprisingly similar, and keeping them separate also helps prevent their aromas from mingling.
Make the Blend Your Own
The basic combination is simple, but you can adjust it depending on what you have.
Use strawberries for a classic strawberry-lemonade feel.
Combine raspberries and strawberries for a stronger berry scent.
Add a few extra lemon slices if you prefer something brighter and more citrus-forward.
Add extra mint for a fresher scent.
For something a little softer and sweeter, add ½ to 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
You can also use dried lemon slices when you don’t have fresh lemon on hand.
There really isn’t a wrong combination. Start with what you have, let it warm, and adjust from there.
A Quick Safety Reminder
Simmer pots contain very hot water and should always be kept safely out of reach of children and pets.
Never leave a simmer pot unattended, and check the water level regularly so the pot does not boil dry.
This blend uses ordinary food ingredients with optional vanilla extract rather than essential oils. If you choose to add essential oils or other botanicals to any simmer pot, first check that the specific ingredient and method of use are appropriate for everyone in your household, including pets.
Even ingredients that are safe for people to eat aren’t necessarily safe for every pet, so don’t allow children or animals access to the simmer pot or its contents.
A Little Taste of Summer Without the Glass
Berry lemonade is one of those combinations that immediately feels like summer.
But this time, you don’t need the pitcher, the ice, or even berries you’d want to eat.
A lemon, a handful of berries, and a few sprigs of mint can give those odds and ends in the kitchen one more use while bringing a fresh summer scent into your home.
Simple, useful, and just a little bit summery.
Keep Smiling, Gigi