Check Out This Genius Way to Chill Drinks for Your Next Backyard Party
Updated: Jun. 07, 2023
Take your next backyard party to the next level with this creative way to keep drinks cold.
One of summer’s best pastimes is a big backyard party filled with friends and family, potluck-ready favorites and… a dirty cooler? Nah. When you want to chill lots of drinks quickly, try this oh-so-cute water balloon hack.
All you need is a pack of standard water balloons, a blow-up kiddie pool and the beverages of your choice. Choose soda, beer or, if you’re feeling fancy, some wire bail bottles of freshly made lemonade.
How It’s Done
Fill up the water balloons with water from a sink or hose. Freeze them on a cookie sheet for at least four hours, or until frozen solid. (Freezing on a sheet helps them keep their shape.) When the party’s about to start, get those beverages chilled. Set up a kiddie pool on the deck or yard. Add the frozen balloons and beverages, alternating so no one has to dig around to find their favorite. Voila! You’re all set to have the best party on the block.
If you want to get even more creative, use balloons in school colors for graduation parties and metal pails or buckets for a backyard wedding.
Our absolute favorite part: get your kids to help with clean up the next morning by having a water balloon fight using the melted balloons! So get ready to kick back, relax and enjoy your new favorite party trick filled with the best summer drinks.
Serve Up These Iconic Summer Dishes
Grandma's Potato SaladThis salad is a must for the Fourth of July feast. The red potatoes hold their shape and texture even after they are boiled. —Sue Gronholz, Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Discover our best 4th of July side dishes.
Chipotle Chili DogsLong live childhood favorites! I created this recipe for the 125th anniversary of a small town in Minnesota. The medium spice level means that people of all ages love the flavors. —Barb Templin, Norwood, Minnesota
Teriyaki Shish KabobsWhen I was a teenager, my father worked for an airline, and my family lived on the island of Guam in the South Pacific. A friend of my mother gave her this tangy-sweet recipe, and we enjoyed it often. Now I make it for my family, and they're big fans as well. —Suzanne Pelegrin, Ocala, Florida
Creamy Macaroni SaladWhen we grill, my mother asks me to make this creamy macaroni salad. To make it extra creamy, I like to keep a small amount of dressing separate and stir it in just before serving. —Carly Curtin, Ellicott City, Maryland
Easy Baked BeansMy family enjoys this easy baked beans recipe with cornbread, but it also rounds out any cookout. Canned pork and beans make meal prep quick. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Best Strawberry ShortcakeFor a dazzling summer dessert, you can’t beat juicy strawberries and fresh whipped cream over homemade shortcake. My father added even more indulgence to this recipe by buttering the shortcake. This is the best strawberry shortcake recipe. —Shirley Joan Helfenbein, Lapeer, Michigan.
Green Tomato BLTI absolutely love tomatoes, any kind, any size. Being from the South, that includes fried green tomatoes. I created a special summer sandwich to show them off. —Hillian Holmgren, Del Rio, Texas
Caprese SaladMy husband and I love Caprese salad, but not the high prices we pay for it in restaurants. Here, we created our own version which tastes incredibly close, if not better, than any restaurant version we've tried. —Melissa Pearson, Sandy, Utah
Applesauce Barbecue ChickenYou only need a few ingredients to create this sweet and peppery chicken. The subtle flavor of apple makes this tender barbecue dish stand out from the rest. —Darla Andrews, Farmers Branch, Texas
Grilled Corn in HusksIf you're new to grilled corn in the husk, season the ears with butter, Parmesan cheese and parsley. It's especially good! Be sure to give the corn a long soak before putting it on the grill. Hot off the grate, the kernels are moist and tender with a wonderful, sweet flavor. —Nancy Zimmerman, Cape May Court House, New Jersey
Strawberry Crunch Ice Cream CakeWhile growing up, I loved treats from the ice cream truck that rolled through my neighborhood. This ice cream cake is inspired by one of those crunchy, strawberry novelties. —Lisa Kaminski, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin
Brats with SauerkrautI’ve made many variations of this excellent main dish. It would be popular at a party or potluck. The bratwurst can be plain, smoked or cheese-flavored and served whole or cut in slices, with a bun or without. —Darlene Dixon, Hanover, Minnesota
Smash Burger RecipesNow is not the time to cut calories or skimp on salt. Go for ground chuck that is at least 80/20. If you can find a blend with ground brisket or short rib, all the better. The best burger comes with being liberal with kosher salt—it is beef's best friend. —James Schend, Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Old-Time Custard Ice CreamI think my most memorable summertime dessert for get-togethers has always been homemade ice cream. This recipe is so rich and creamy and is the perfect splurge on a hot summer afternoon. —Martha Self, Montgomery, Texas
Crispy Fried ChickenIf you've wanted to learn how to make crispy fried chicken, this is the recipe for you. Always a picnic favorite, this deep-fried chicken recipe is delicious either hot or cold. Kids call it my Kentucky Fried Chicken! —Jeanne Schnitzler, Lima, Montana
Crab Louie Lettuce WrapsParty guests can mingle and enjoy these tasty portable lettuce wraps without having to juggle plates and forks. — Michael Watz, Normal, Illinois
Peach CobblerI created this peach cobbler recipe myself with a few tips from my mom and grandma. Because it's so quick and easy, it can be made in minutes to suit any occasion. I've used it as a breakfast fruit dish, a dinner dessert and a light snack. —Martha Betten, North Manchester, Indiana
Deep-Fried CookiesMy kids love this delicious, indulgent treat. I like to give the batter a kick by adding a pinch of cinnamon and a teaspoon of vanilla extract. — Margarita Torres, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
Classic Crab BoilDig in to Dungeness crab boiled in a special mix of spices. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Beefy Taco DipThis taco dip is actually a combination of several different recipes I received from friends. I just experimented until I came up with my favorite. It's always a hit, no matter where I take it. —Faye Parker, Bedford, Nova Scotia
Pressure-Cooker Shredded Chicken GyrosOur family has no links of any kind to Greece, but we always have such a marvelous time at the annual Salt Lake City Greek Festival. One of my favorite parts is all the awesome food. This meal is a good way to mix up our menu, and my kids are big fans. —Camille Beckstrand, Layton, Utah
Eggplant FriesMy kids love this snack—and I like that it's healthy. Coated with Italian seasoning, Parmesan cheese and garlic salt, these veggie sticks are broiled, not fried, so there's no guilt when you crunch into them. —Mary Murphy, Atwater, California
Lobster RollsMayonnaise infused with dill and lemon lends refreshing flavor to these super sandwiches. Try pan-toasting the buns in butter for something extra special. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Cherry Limeade Sweet TeaSweet tea and cherry limeade are two of my favorite summer libations. So I decided to combine them—the result is wonderful. —Renee Page, Rochelle, Illinois
Barbecue Pork Cobb SaladMy lunchtime salad gets way more interesting topped with barbecue pork, cheddar cheese and creamy avocado. It's as satisfying as it is scrumptious. —Shawn Carleton, San Diego, California
Grilled Vegetable PlatterThis recipe is the best of summer in one dish! These pretty veggies are perfect for entertaining. Grilling brings out their natural sweetness, and the easy marinade really perks up the flavor. —Heidi Hall, North St. Paul, Minnesota
Cheesy Summer Squash CasseroleOnion and cheddar cheese add flavor and richness to the bounty of summer squash in this comforting casserole. A crispy cornflake-crumb topping adds a little crunch. —Katherine Metz, Jacksonville, Florida
Peanut Butter Graham BarsI rely on my microwave to hurry along the assembly of these yummy peanut butter bars with graham crackers. With their pleasant flavor, they're sure to disappear quickly. —Mina Dyck, Boissevain, Manitoba
Banana Split Icebox CakeA friend showed me how to make a traditional icebox cake with just cream and graham crackers. I make it special by adding fruit. —Shelly Flye, Albion, Maine
Chili Dog CasseroleKids and dads alike will dive right into this hearty, comforting dish. With a crispy cheese topping on a warm corn bread crust, this chili dog casserole recipe is a keeper. —Taste of Home Test Kitchen
Originally Published: April 27, 2018
