25 Pool Party Foods and Drinks for a Hot Summer Day
Dive into these refreshing drinks, dips, and bites.
When the summer season begins and the forecast looks hot and sunny, you’ll want a way to stay cool. While hiding out in your air-conditioned house or planning a trip to the beach are both great ways to escape the heat, you can’t beat a dip in the pool with all of your favorite people!
Pool parties are the ultimate summer hangout. Some of Ree Drummond’s fondest childhood memories were spent "sitting next to a sparkling pool, sipping a Shirley Temple,” she says. But you don’t need a pool in your backyard to enjoy a poolside bash! You can create a makeshift setup with some inflatable pools, or you can take your gathering to a local pond or lake for a waterside picnic. Whatever setting you select, no pool party is complete without a delicious spread of seasonal snacks, fruity cocktails, and summer desserts!
From crowd-pleasing appetizers to grilling favorites, this list of pool party food ideas has everything you need to make a splash. Kick things off with refreshing party dips like mango salsa and light snacks like coconut shrimp. Then, whip up a main course that's easy to serve poolside, such as burgers, chicken skewers, or lobster rolls. And for dessert, you can't go wrong with a frozen treat! Of course, you'll also find tons of ice-cold beverages that’ll help everyone beat the summer heat. Just be sure to grab your sunscreen and pool tools before diving in!
Grilled Chicken Skewers
If you’re grilling poolside, these chicken skewers cook up in just a few minutes and they’re easy to enjoy in between dips. Pair them with a creamy peanut sauce and a sweet barbecue sauce.
Get Ree’s Grilled Chicken Skewers recipe.
BLT Bites
Looking for lighter fare to peck on while swimming and sunbathing? BLT bites are the perfect thing! These bite-sized skewers are easier to make and serve than individual sandwiches, and just as delicious!
Get the BLT Bites recipe.
Perfect Potato Salad
Every summer gathering needs a fluffy potato salad and pool parties are no exception! Add mix-ins like pickles, green onion, and bacon for some crunch, and a simple dressing ties everything together.
Get Ree’s Perfect Potato Salad recipe.
Ramen Noodle Salad
Keep things easy with two store-bought ingredients: repackaged coleslaw mix and canned mandarin oranges! Crushed ramen noodles and toasted cashews finish off the dish with a satisfying crunch.
Get the Ramen Noodle Salad recipe.
Ice Cream Icebox Cake
Since this sweet treat is served cold, it’ll keep everyone cool on a hot day. It’s layered with blackberry preserves and lemon curd ice cream, then garnished with lemon whipped cream and fresh blackberries.
Get the Ice Cream Icebox Cake recipe.
Lobster Rolls
Class up your pool party with fresh lobster rolls for the crowd! It's inspired by cold lobster salad-style rolls found in Maine, featuring lobster tossed with mayo, celery, lemon juice, chives, and spice in a split-top bun.
Get the Lobster Rolls recipe.
Aperol Spritz
Is there anything better than sipping an ice-cold citrus beverage by the pool? This classic Italian cocktail made with prosecco, Aperol, and sparkling water is what summer dreams are made of!
Get the Aperol Spritz recipe.
Esquites
Brimming bowls of Mexican street corn will be a welcomed post-swim snack! In this recipe, summer corn gets an upgrade with poblano peppers and a garlicky dressing made with sour cream, mayonnaise, Cotija cheese, cilantro, green onion, lime, and chili powder.
Get the Esquites recipe.
Pink Lemonade Cupcakes
The bright pink color of these cupcakes is just perfect for sunny weather! Zesty flavor is in both the batter and creamy frosting, topped with adorable candy lemon wedges and paper straws.
Get the Pink Lemonade Cupcakes recipe.
Classic Cheeseburger
It's a classic for a reason! Try switching things up by creating a build your own cheeseburger bar and letting guests add their favorite toppings.
Get the Classic Cheeseburger recipe.
Piña Coladas
This fruity and refreshing cocktail will transport you and your guests straight to the tropics! It's the perfect balance of creamy coconut, juicy pineapple, and rum (although the liquor can surely be omitted for the kiddos)!
Get the Piña Coladas recipe.
Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad
Watermelon is undoubtedly delicious by itself on a summer day! But when you pair the juicy summer melon with some salty feta and crunchy arugula, you'll have yourself a pool party hit!
Get Ree's Watermelon-Feta Orzo Salad recipe.
Homemade Strawberry Shortcake Ice Cream Bars
Who needs an ice cream truck when you can stash these homemade bars in your own freezer? This frozen treat is so easy to make as it calls for only five store-bought ingredients.
Coconut Shrimp
Take a trip to the tropics with this crispy coconut-crusted shrimp. It even has a sweet chili sauce for more island flavor.
Get the Coconut Shrimp recipe.
Grilled Pizza
Making pizza on the grill is a total game-changer! It's crispy, perfectly charred, and easy to customize with your favorite toppings.
Get the Grilled Pizza recipe.
Strawberry Daiquiris
This cocktail will make you feel like your on vacation even if you're just in your own backyard! It's like a sweet strawberry slushy with the addition of rum.
Get the Strawberry Daiquiris recipe.
Sunrise Fruit Salad
Look at those pretty colors! This fruit salad is the perfect size for serving a crowd. It's everything you'd want on a hot summer day: pineapple, watermelon, oranges, mango, cantaloupe, and even a taste of coconut.
Homemade Choco Tacos
No more waiting for the ice cream truck to pass by! You can make this classic treat at home and stash it in your freezer for whenever the craving strikes!
Get the Homemade Choco Tacos recipe.
Easy Summer Vegetable Tarts
Featuring a golden puff pastry base, creamy pesto ricotta, and a medley of fresh veggies, these tarts are as beautiful as they are delicious. They’re bursting with summer flavor and sure to be the star of your snack table!
Get the Easy Summer Vegetable Tarts recipe.
White Sangria
Sangria will turn any get together into a party! And when it comes to white sangria, there's nothing more refreshing.
Get the White Sangria recipe.
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