Pool Party Food

What's a pool party without pool party food? My cooking style is simple, colorful, fresh, and make ahead so that when the guests come you won't find me in the kitchen!

Pool Party Food Ideas for Breakfast

Our summers in the southeast can be really hot.  We often host a pool party in the morning for breakfast when we still have some shade and the temperatures are lower.

Of course you need to start with coffee.  Keep it hot in an insulated carafe. 

Keep Your Pool Party Food Cold

Pool party food needs to be fun, easy to make and good tasting! We like to entertain and have people over - sometimes elaborate plan ahead parties and some just spur of the moment.

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I have found lots of helpful ways to keep food cold on hot summer days. One is this inflatable tray filled with ice.

Place drinks, appetizers, cold salads or desserts on it and when the party is over simply drain the water by opening up the drain plug. We got this one from Amazon that measures 51 1/2"L x 24 1/2"W x 5"D.

It is so inexpensive and this one has a drain plug to drain all of the melted ice.

2 PCS Inflatable Serving/Salad Bar Tray Food Drink Holder - with drain plug

Pool Party Food Appetizers

Serve summer appetizers that are cold, fresh tasting and easy to make.

Consider buying specialty crackers with aged cheeses, or serving humas and pita chips, or a plate of fresh vegetables and fruit.

Your plate needs to look colorful which is easy to do in the summer. I don't like spending lots of time in the kitchen so for some easy, tasty ideas click here:

Cold Appetizer Recipes

Beverages and Lots of Cold Water

I love this acrylic insulated water pitcher because it keeps the water cold and it has an insert in the middle where you can put slices of lemon or lime for a refreshing glass of cold water.  It is BPA Free acrylic and needs to be hand washed. 

It comes out for all of our pool parties.  Other ideas for infused flavor is to use cucumbers or fresh berries.

Prodyne Acyrlic 2.5-Quart Pitcher On Ice

A double wall insulated stainless steel ice bucket keeps your ice from melting and condensation from forming even on the hottest days.  I ditched my plastic ice buckets and switched to this one so I can use it for indoor or outdoor parties.  It comes with a pair of tongs and an insert to place on the bottom for water to drain.  

Bellemain 3 Liter Insulated Stainless Steel Ice Bucket with Bonus Ice Tongs

Keep your drinks cold with stainless steel double wall insulated cups that can be used for water, wine, or soft drinks. 

Simple Modern Spirit 12oz Wine Tumbler - Vacuum Insulated Double Wall Stemless Wine Glass - 12 oz 18/8 Stainless Steel Silver

Keep canned beverages cold for hours with a Yeti Rambler. Thanks to double-wall vacuum insulation there will be no more luke warm drinks - this insulated kitchen grade 18/8 stainless steel Yeti Rambler means even the last couple of sips are still ice cold.  Of course it's BPA free and has a Now Sweat design. The Yeti Rambler is dishwasher safe but do not place in the freezer (or microwave obviously). 

YETI Rambler Vacuum Insulated Stainless Steel Colster

Rolling Beverage Cooler

This stainless steel beverage cooler with wheels can be moved easily to any part of the patio or pool area - 2 of the casters are locking so it doesn't roll or move.

A drainage plug makes it easy to drain melted ice and a handy bottle cap opener (and cap catcher) is located on the side of the cooler.

Keep the lid closed on hot days so the ice doesn't melt.  So much nicer than bending down and fishing out a drink from an old plastic cooler on the ground.

An extra bottom shelf is a great place to place some extra paper goods, drinks or other party items.

Some people leave it out year round.   A high quality serving item that not only looks great but is a functional way to keep and serve your beverages or cold food items.

Stainless Steel Rolling Beverage Cooler Cart - Two Side Access One for Drinks and One for Food

Beverage Bucket

Quit using the old cooler and start using something a bit more classy - like an easy to accesses beverage bucket to serve your drinks.

Your beverages will keep cold up to six hours without condensation with this double-wall insulated beverage bucket.  Just fill it with ice and your favorite drinks for your formal or informal pool parties. An attractive hammered exterior made of heavy-duty stainless steel, this tub will provide you with years of use.

Artisan Double Wall, Stainless Steel Beverage Bucket, 17-Quart Capacity

Pool Party Food Ideas for Cold Salads

Looking to serve salad as a side or as a main dish on a warm summer evening? We often make a cold wild rice salad that makes a great side salad or add some chicken and you have a main dish.

It can be made ahead of time so that you can just pull it out of the fridge when it's time to eat.

For some cold salad recipes click here:

Cold Salad Recipes

Pool Party Desserts 

Cold dessert recipes can finish off a nice meal by the pool or it can be the "main event."

Some of our gatherings by the pool are later in the evening so a special dessert becomes the focus.

My favorites are anything with chocolate in it, but you can find some great recipes for frozen yogurt pies, ice cream desserts, cold pudding trifles and more by clicking here:

Cold Dessert Recipes

Keep your pool party food recipes and meals simple and serve them cold.

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