Anyone got tips for keeping drinks cold outside all day?

[Jake Roberts]

Every time we host a backyard party, the drinks get warm way too fast. We use a cooler but by the afternoon everything’s kinda melted. Do you guys use ice buckets, coolers, or something better? Thinking about getting one of those outdoor beverage carts but not sure if they’re worth it.

 

[Henry Graham]

We had the same issue during a cookout last year. What helped, weirdly enough, was freezing a bunch of water bottles the night before and tossing them in with the drinks. They stay solid longer than ice cubes, and folks end up drinking them later, too, so it’s like double use.

Also got this cheap metal tub thing from a yard sale, filled it with a mix of ice and rock salt, I read somewhere the salt helps the ice stay colder longer, and it honestly worked better than I expected.

Thought about getting one of those fancy carts too, but haven’t pulled the trigger. If you try one, let us know how it goes!

 

[Michael Young]

I’ve found that just sticking a few cans in the pool actually works surprisingly well. They float, they stay cool, and it turns into a fun little game trying to fish them out. Anyone else use their pool as an ice chest in a pinch?

 

[Jake Roberts]

We had the same issue during a cookout last year. What helped, weirdly enough, was freezing a bunch of water bottles the night before and tossing them in with the drinks. They stay solid longer than ice cubes, and folks end up drinking them later, too, so it’s like double use.

Also got this cheap metal tub thing from a yard sale, filled it with a mix of ice and rock salt, I read somewhere the salt helps the ice stay colder longer, and it honestly worked better than I expected.

Thought about getting one of those fancy carts too, but haven’t pulled the trigger. If you try one, let us know how it goes!

Freezing water bottles is a smart move. I’ve been wasting way too much ice. That salt trick with the tub sounds like something I need to try next time.

 

[Jake Roberts]

I’ve found that just sticking a few cans in the pool actually works surprisingly well. They float, they stay cool, and it turns into a fun little game trying to fish them out. Anyone else use their pool as an ice chest in a pinch?

Okay, using the pool as a floating cooler is genius. Definitely turning that into a party game at the next hangout.

 

[Hanry Carter]

I fill old tennis ball cans with ice water the night before, then pop in my favorite sodas. They’re like secret ice vaults grab and go all day, no clinking cubes needed!

 

[Harper Clark]

I’ve also tried some fun tricks, like using a big beach bag to carry cold drinks. If the bag’s big enough and has a small cooler inside, it helps keep drinks cold longer. Another trick I tried is putting a few cans into a small bucket filled with ice water, so they’re ready to go right away!

 

[Ella Robinson]

Nice suggestions! Another idea is to use insulated drink holders for individual drinks. They can keep beverages cold for hours, and you don't need to worry about all the ice melting in a cooler. Plus, they double up as mini coolers for each guest!

 

[William Walker]

I had the same issue before where the drinks would get warm too quickly. I tried freezing water bottles overnight and tossing them in with the drinks, and it worked surprisingly well! The bottles stay solid longer than ice cubes and help keep the drinks cold. I also used this old metal tub I found at a yard sale, filled with ice and rock salt. It actually kept the ice cold longer than I expected! If you’re looking for something new, that’s definitely worth a try.

 

[Jason Bennett]

One thing that has worked for me is pre-chilling all the drinks in the fridge overnight before they even reach the cooler. That way, the ice doesn’t have to work as hard, and everything stays cold way longer. I’ve also started wrapping a towel or blanket around my cooler to insulate it from the sun; it looks low-effort, but it actually makes a difference on hot days.

 

[David Wilson]

I started using a small kiddie pool filled with ice as a makeshift cooler, and it’s been a total game changer. You can fit way more drinks, and people can just grab what they want without digging through a cramped cooler. I also throw a reflective cover or towel over part of it when the sun’s out, it actually keeps the ice from melting as fast. Simple setup, but it works way better than I expected.