Take your next backyard party to the next level with this creative way to keep drinks cold.
Check Out This Genius Way to Chill Drinks for Your Next Backyard Party
Updated on Jun. 07, 2023
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
Cola BurgersA friend who's an excellent cook shared this hamburger recipe with me, and it has since become a family favorite. The unusual combination of cola and French salad dressing added to the ground beef gives it fabulous flavor. The mixture is also used as a basting sauce on the moist burgers.
-Melva Baumer, Millmont, Pennsylvania
Potato SaladEveryone needs a reliable potato salad recipe in their repertoire, and this one is classic in its simplicity. It's quick and versatile, and it will go with just about anything.
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
Sugar CookiesThis sugar cookie dates back to a Swedish woman born in 1877! Her daughter, Esther Davis, shared the recipe with me and she came up with all the exact measurements, since the original cookies were mixed by feel and taste. These are my favorite cookies and I hope they'll become yours as well. —Helen Wallis, Vancouver, Washington
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 SaladThis creamy macaroni salad recipe is a classic cold noodle dish with oodles of crowd appeal. It features tender macaroni and crisp, colorful veggies tossed with an ultra-creamy, sweet-and-tangy dressing.
Baked Beans with BaconThese baked beans with bacon will round out any meal, but they're particularly good served alongside cornbread. Canned pork and beans make the preparation easy.
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
Key West Flank SteakMy husband, Jason, is the cook in our family. This is his recipe, inspired by his Colombian roots and our visits to Key West. Sometimes we grill extra lime and onion slices alongside. Serve with sides of rice and fried plantains. —Gretchen Ospina, Columbia Heights, Minnesota
Caprese SaladA Caprese salad is the tastiest way to make use of all those tomatoes and basil that seem to multiply in your garden overnight. Just add fresh mozzarella and a homemade vinaigrette, and you're set!
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 Ice Cream CakeWe turned an iconic ice cream truck treat into a whole cake that you can make right at home. Learn how to make our strawberry ice cream cake that's nothing short of nostalgic.
Grilled Potato Fans with OnionsLooking for the ultimate grilled potato? These seasoned potato “fans” are filled with tender onions, roasted garlic cloves and savory Parmesan cheese. —Sharon Crabtree, Graham, Washington
Brats and SauerkrautBrats and sauerkraut are a match made in food heaven. And this dish is highly flexible, so you can go with plain, smoked or cheese-flavored bratwurst and serve it whole or sliced, with a bun or without.
Key Lime Cream PieI am very proud of this luscious no-bake beauty. It's so cool and refreshing—perfect for any summer potluck or get-together. Wherever I take this pie, it quickly disappears, and everyone asks for the recipe. —Shirley Rickis, Lady Lake, Florida
Raspberry Lemonade ConcentrateHere's a concentrate that allows you to enjoy a refreshing summer beverage any time of year. Sweet raspberries balance the tartness from lemons. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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
Lime and Dill Chimichurri ShrimpChimichurri is a very popular condiment in Argentina and Uruguay and is most often used as a dipping sauce or a marinade for meats. My chimichurri shrimp version incorporates dill and lime, which give it a brighter flavor, making it ideal for spring and summer entertaining. —Bonnie Landy, Castro Valley, California
Creamy ColeslawThis creamy coleslaw recipe is rich, tangy and sweet. It’s the perfect partner for barbecue, but it tastes just as good as a topping for tacos or a meaty sandwich.
Contest-Winning Fresh Blueberry PieI've been making this blueberry pie recipe for decades since the ingredients for the filling are readily available in Michigan. Nothing says summer like a piece of fresh blueberry pie! —Linda Kernan, Mason, Michigan
How to Grill RibsGrilling ribs soon? Learn how to grill ribs as we share our step-by-step recipe and secret to grilling the best-ever baby back ribs.
Custard Ice CreamWe'll show you how to make vanilla custard ice cream that is so good, you'll fall in love after the first scoop!
Fried ChickenThis crispy fried chicken recipe uses a batter instead of a flour coating. That helps the flour adhere to the chicken so it won’t fall off after cooking!
Lemony Zucchini BreadFlecks of zucchini give a third dimension to the popular lemon and poppy seed combination in this moist quick bread. My family loves this lemon zucchini bread at all times of the year.—Field Editor Carol Funk, Richard, Saskatchewan.
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
Easy Peach CobblerThis easy peach cobbler is put together with canned peaches and a few staple ingredients—you likely already have everything on hand to make it!
Quick Watermelon SalsaOn hot days, this sweet combo of watermelon, pineapple and fresh cilantro has everything you want. The flavors blend beautifully, it’s pretty, and it comes together in no time. —Betsy Hanson, Tiverton, Rhode Island
Grilled CatfishGrilled catfish boasts a delicious flavor, especially when it's infused with spices and served with lemon and parsley.
Fresh Lime MargaritasThis basic fresh margarita recipe is easy to modify to your tastes. Try it frozen or with strawberries. —Taste Recipes Test Kitchen
The Best Veggie BurgerThere's a new burger in town! Our Test Kitchen shares their very best veggie burger recipe.
Classic Crab BoilDig in to Dungeness crab boiled in a special mix of spices. —Matthew Hass, Franklin, Wisconsin
Shredded Chicken GyrosOur family always has such a wonderful 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 Roll RecipeThere is only one recipe that fully captures the flavors of the East Coast—and it is easy to make, too.
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
Chocolate Peanut TreatsWhen I was in high school, I took these sweet and crunchy squares to bake sales— and they were the first to sell out. I still make them for family and friends who love the classic combination of chocolate and peanut butter. —Christy Asher, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Homemade Corn DogsLove fair food like funnel cake and corn dogs? Here is how to make perfectly golden, hand-dipped corn dogs at home.
Grilled Pineapple ChickenA trip to Hawaii is easy with this juicy grilled pineapple chicken. Simply give it a quick marinade, fire up the grill and let it sizzle. We love this low-carb recipe! —Charlotte Rogers, Virginia Beach, Virginia
Watermelon and Blackberry SangriaThis watermelon sangria is deliciously pink! Living in the zinfandel wine country of Northern California, I use our local fare in my recipes often. Our scorching summer months inspired this refreshing, light style of sangria. I like adding fresh blackberries and garnishing it with sprigs of mint or basil for personal flair. This easy recipe is perfect for entertaining, and it's especially brunch friendly. —Carolyn Kumpe, El Dorado, California
Bacon Cheeseburger RecipeWhere can you get a juicy burger that is so superior to drive-thru fare? Right in your backyard with this delicious bacon cheeseburger recipe. —Jackie Burns, Silverdale, Washington
Banana Split CakeThis banana split cake takes a twist on the beloved ice cream dessert with a timeless no-bake recipe. It’s so celebratory and eye-catching, no one will guess how easy it was to make.
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 Recipes Test Kitchen
