Have Pool? Will Party!
Too hot to party? Never! If you are fortunate enough to have a pool, the party’s on you this summer, at least if you want to stay in the good graces of your neighbors and you donít want your kids to lose all their friends. But having a pool doesnít necessarily a good host make. How do you plan a fun pool party when you’re not exactly a social butterfly?
Don’t worry, you can throw a fun pool party even if you spend it with your face covered by a big sunhat. There are games to plan, snacks to prepare, music to cue up, BBQ grills to man, and drinks to make. If you happen to find yourself host of your pool party, here are a few tips for making the pool cool again.
What Should You Bring to A Pool Party?
Besides yourself, a swimsuit that is less than three years old, and some really heavy-duty sunscreen, a grill is always a good choice to bring to a summer pool party. What better way to spend the summer than lounging around the pool munching on some all-American favorites?
Juicy Perfect Hamburgers
Hamburgers are always a big crowd pleaser, but not if they’re dry, brittle or undercooked with red centers- especially when there’s swimming involved. We want to keep it safe to go back in the water. In order to do damage control, make sure that your beef is as juicy and tender and as possible. Here’s a no-fail way to get the most out of your meat:
- Use 80% lean, 20% fat ground beef.
- Remove thawed beef from your fridge half an hour before making the patties.
- Season the beef before forming the patty. That way it will be incorporated throughout your burger.
- Form the burger to be slightly larger than the bun. There will be shrinkage when you grill and you don’t want to end up with a MacBurger.
- Bonus Tip: Place a pat of butter on top or in the middle of each burger. Need we say more?
- Make a Thumbprint in the top of each burger to avoid ending up with a dome top.
- Place patties on hot grill and sear to perfection.
What Snacks to Bring to A Pool Party?
When store bought cookies are too tacky and designer macaroons seem like you tried too hard, the age-old question arises. What snacks can you bring to a pool party? There are snacks that just scream summer, all you need to do is listen. Here are some of the perfect snacks that will make you a splash at any pool party.
1. Grilled Watermelon
We may never know how they managed to get the pits out, but we do know how to grill them to perfection. All it takes is a watermelon and a grill to make a wedge with an edge. Simply:
- Preheat your grill to medium high
- Clean and oil grates
- Prepare watermelon for cooking by cutting into 1” slices
- Cut each crosswise, slice in half and slice again
- Grill wedges for 1-2 minutes on each side or until grill marks appear
- Optional: After removing from grill, drizzle wedges with balsamic dressing, feta cheese, and basil, or alternately, or top with ice cream and yogurt for a more dessert-like snack.
2. Grilled Chicken Pesto Sliders
These grilled chicken pesto sliders are sure to have the guests coming up for air. With heavenly, melty mozzarella, juicy chicken, buttery toasted buns, and juicy cherry tomatoes, these sliders will go over swimmingly at any summer fete.
Ingredients:
- 2 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
- Vegetable oil for grill spray or brushing
- Salt and freshly cracked pepper
- 12 slider buns or dinner rolls
- 1 cup pesto sauce (Trader Joe’s makes a mean one).
- 8 oz fresh mozzarella cut into 12 round slices
- 12 cherry tomatoes each sliced into 4 slices
- 2 tablespoons melted butter
Directions:
- Preheat a gas grill to medium-high. Pound chicken breast out to a ¼ to ½ inch thickness. Brush grill with vegetable oil to prevent sticking. Season chicken with salt and cracked pepper. Grill until chicken is cooked through, about four minutes per side.
- While chicken is cooling, spoon pesto sauce on both sides of the roll and top one side with mozzarella and tomatoes. Slice chicken into 1 ½ inch to 2-3 inch slices and place on rolls.
Cover with top rolls and brush melted butter over them. Grill over medium heat on the same grill on both sides until mozzarella gets melty. Use a spatula to press sliders as they are cooking.
3. When Things Get Hot, Get Out of the Kitchen
Hey, we understand. The last place you want to be on a sweltering hot day is in the kitchen. Fortunately, there are some easy snacks that don’t even require turning on the oven. Here are some snacks that take little effort and go over big.
- Fruit Salad: Prepping fruit is simple. take advantage of the summer season by cutting up peaches, melons, mangoes, and plums.
- Smoothies: Use any liquid as a base (water milk, juice yogurt), a serving of fruit (see above for inspo), wheat germ or protein powder optional. Serve immediately over ice or keep a pitcher in the fridge handy.
- Trail Mix: It’s not just about GORP any more. This healthy acronym for “good old peanuts and raisins has grown over time to include everything from M & Ms to wasabi peas to almost any nut under the sun. Get creative and throw some together for an exotic take on an old classic.
How Do I Plan A Fun Pool Party?
Sometimes the crowd needs a little encouragement to take the plunge. You can always try yelling, “Last one in the pool is a rotten egg,” but if it doesn’t work, it may be a bit of an awkward moment. It may take a few props and games to get the crowd in the party spirit. You may try some of the following:
1. A Slip and Slide
No way, dude, a slip and slide? What better way to spend a pool party than watching your guests hydroplane down several feet of a water slide in a ferocious race to the finish? This could be epic! Check out this Megaslide out on Amazon if you have enough room in your backyard for it. Alternatively, you can rent one or make your own.
2. Pool Noodles
When you have a pool party, it’s always a good idea to use your noodles! Pool noodles are colorful polyethylene tubes that manage to hold you up in the water, provided you havenít been eating too many burgers. Those in the know say pick dense and durable foam, that wonít split in half when an errant child lands on one while diving into the pool. (It’s been known to happen).
Bonus Tip: The hole in the middle makes all the difference. You can fill it up with water and breath into it to form a makeshift water cannon (a device that shoots a high-velocity stream of water).
3. Pool Tubes and Floats
Want to have a totally tubular pool party? Stock up on some pool tubes. Pool tubes and floats are wonderful ways of luring even the timidest of guests into the water. Be prepared if you’re in the market for them though, the selection of pool tubes and rafts have really inflated over the years. We couldn’t decide between the Ring Pop Float and Hamburger Island.
How Do Adults Plan A Pool Party?
Unfortunately, most backyard pools don’t come equipped with a swim up bar. Nor do they come with colored lights synchronized to music. An adult pool party takes planning and we’re not talking about floaties and kickboards.
One of the things adults want at a pool party is atmosphere. Many adults enjoy theme parties. It gives the night a bit of intrigue and a guide to appropriate dress and behavior. Here are a few ideas for adult-themed pool parties:
1. Luaus
Luaus are a very common theme used in pool parties involving tiki lanterns, Hawaiian shirts and leis, grass skirts and a lot of Mai Tais. A great way to get luaus going is to hold a co-ed hula dancing contest. Just cue up some of the finest ukulele music, and watch your guests put a new twist on meaningful hand movements.
Mai Tai Recipe:
With two flavors of rum, pineapple juice, and orange juice, the Mai Tau is sure to add a little Hawaiian punch to your luau.
Ingredients:
- 1 jigger spiced rum
- ½ jigger coconut flavored rum
- 1 teaspoon grenadine syrup
- 3 fluid oz pineapple juice
- 2 fluid oz orange juice
- 1 cup ice cubes
Directions:
Combine all ingredients into a cocktail mixer filled with ice. Shake and strain into ice-filled glass.
2. Vegas
Get out the waterproof deck and hit the deck? Who cares if what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas when you have your own floating poker table? Talk about pool party games for adults! The standard poker ultimate inflatable comes with one table and four floating chairs. Accompany that with some cocktails and place your bet on an unforgettable party. Check out inflatable poker floats here.
3. Beach Theme
Leo called and said they had no room on his yacht this year. How unfortunate for him. He’ll never get to hang out at your beach theme pool party. While celebs are flocking to the Mediterranean to get white sand, you can buy some at Walmart, throw it around your pool and get the same effect. Add a few seashells, a few Beach Boys classics, and a good karaoke machine. Those Wilson brothers are sure to hit some high notes with your guests.
What Should I Eat Before A Pool Party?
Conventional wisdom says as little as possible, but research shows that cramps that occur while swimming are more likely caused by dehydration than indigestion. Make sure to keep bottled water handy to keep discomfort to a minimum.
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