The Fourth of July is coming. It’s time to kickback with a cool drink. Here’s how to keep the chill in your chilled drinks.
A moment of warm sun and a cool drink make for a mini vacation on the patio. We have many suggestions for what to mix up, from frozen fabulousness to marvelous mocktails. Keeping those delicious drinks cold on a hot day can be a challenge. Tried and true solutions may be best, but some new gadgets may be worth a look.
Chilled Glasses
Beer enthusiasts keep glass steins in the freezer to always be ready for that perfectly cold pour. Using the same mugs for frozen drinks works just as well. If you’ll miss the fancy glass, grab some crazy smoothie straws and some drink umbrellas. A slice of lemon or strawberry looks great on a glass mug too. Big mugs with sturdy handles will preserve the cold better than pint glasses because your hand won’t be warming up the container as you hold the drink.
Wine glasses are getting in on the action now. These coolings cups are designed to keep your wine from 40 to 60 degrees for hours.
A variety of ice buckets
A bucket filled with cubes of frozen water is the time-worn tradition for keeping drinks cold. Ice buckets can now match your outdoor decor. They come in styles like mid-century modern, contemporary, ornate and more.
Consider using more than one ice bucket when hosting many guests or covering a large patio space. If you are using the ice buckets for serving cubes of ice, make sure to revisit them to empty the water, break up the ice cubes or replace them altogether. Ice cubes in a bucket bond together as they melt, making it difficult to remove one with tongs.
Refreezable ice cubes
If you have a lot of freezer space, you may consider buying reusable ice cubes. These square-shaped plastic cubes have a water solution inside that freezes well and melts slowly. If just a few drinks are in need of chilling, these colorful and fun cubes do the trick. They are especially useful when drinks don’t benefit from being watered down by melted ice, e.g. carbonated sodas or sparkling water. Wash the reusable cubes with soap and let them dry completely before putting them back in the freezer.
Coolers
Coolers are a staple of summer. Today’s coolers come in a variety of styles and are meant to be part of your outdoor living decor. DIY-ers are transforming flea market furniture finds into one-of-a-kind coolers. Outdoor kitchen designs are including coolers built into the cabinetry. (Be sure to talk to your contractor early in the design phase so that drainage can be accommodated.)
Koozies
Yes, we know. We all have a love/hate relationship with the ubiquitous foam drink holder. These thermal insulators are the advertising darlings of local businesses everywhere. The good news is you don’t have to look at those garish logos and slogans anymore. The thermal container insulator has gone high-tech. Big brands like Thermos and Yeti have introduced stainless steel version that are sleek and effective. Shop around for something cool.
Countertop Ice Maker
Speaking of high-tech, the world of ice has not been left behind in this digital revolution. Enter a breadmaker-sized ice maker, an efficient little machine that manufactures the frostiness with a simple combo of water and electricity. Set this bad boy up on your counter, fill it with water and plug it in. Ice cubes, your choice of small, medium or large, will be pumped out in minutes. This is a great gift for friends who have everything.
Keep it cool
Expand your icy horizons to find a solution that works best for you. It’s all about getting the best combination of sun and ice on the patio. Your perfect chill of choice is out there.