The start of a new year often comes with a sense of reset: putting away holiday decorations, tidying up the house, and easing back into everyday routines. In Central Florida, it also happens to coincide with the start of citrus season. This Fresh Start Citrus Simmer Pot is the perfect way to celebrate that transition. It’s a simple, sensory way to mark the end of one season and the beginning of another, filling your home with fresh, bright aromas as the calendar turns.
The family that submitted this recipe uses it as part of their New Year tradition. In the days leading up to January 1st, they write down twelve hopes or goals for the year ahead. On New Year’s Day, they make this simmer pot together as a way to kick off the year with intention, reflection, and time spent as a family. It’s less about following a strict recipe and more about slowing down and starting the year on a positive note.
What makes this simmer pot especially well-suited for families is how kid-friendly it is. Instead of using a stovetop, this version uses an electric kettle and a candle warmer, creating a safer way for children to participate. Little hands can help slice fruit (using child-safe tools), count ingredients, and take part in the process—turning a simple household activity into a shared moment that feels both meaningful and accessible.
Fresh Start Citrus Simmer Pot
Makes 1 traditional simmer pot, or cut the recipe in half for our smaller kid-friendly version.
Time: About 15 minutes of prep
Ingredients:
- 2 fresh lemons, thinly sliced
- 4–5 sprigs of fresh rosemary
- A few drops of lavender oil
- 1 mint tea bag
- A handful of blueberries
- A drizzle of local honey
Assembly:
- Bring water to a boil using an electric kettle. Carefully pour the hot water into a heat-safe vessel placed on a candle warmer.
- Add the sliced lemons, rosemary sprigs, mint tea bag, blueberries, and a drizzle of honey. Finish with a few drops of lavender oil.
- Turn on the candle warmer and allow the mixture to gently warm. There’s no need to rush; this simmer pot is meant to slowly release its scent throughout the day.
- Add more water as needed to keep the ingredients submerged, and enjoy the aroma as it fills your home.
This is a flexible, no-rules recipe. Add what you have, let kids help where they can, and—most importantly—enjoy the process together.
Submitted by Arthur, age 4, and Arthur’s Mom, Georgieanna (Sanford, Florida)
Why We Love It
At The Grow, we love traditions that invite intention into everyday moments—and this Fresh Start Citrus Simmer Pot does exactly that. It’s not just about how your home smells (though the citrus, herbs, and lavender are wonderfully uplifting); it’s about creating space for reflection, connection, and calm. Using a candle warmer instead of the stovetop makes it accessible for kids, turning it into a shared activity that feels safe, meaningful, and fun.
Perfect for mid-winter, the bright scent of lemons brings a sense of renewal when days feel shorter, while the ritual itself offers a gentle way to close one chapter and welcome the next.
Make it local: Orlando has a variety of farmers’ markets that are in full swing through the “winter” months here in Central Florida! Check out our recommendations for Orlando’s best in our Farm-to-Table Guide.
Want Your Recipe Featured?
The Grow Community Cookbook: Sharing Homegrown Goodness is a community-sourced cookbook celebrating local ingredients and the people who bring them to life. Whether you’ve got a go-to family recipe or a creative DIY using backyard herbs, we want to see it. Check out the submission guidelines, or explore a few recipe tips, and let us know what’s growing at your table.
