Author: Arlene Cummings
Throwing a great 4th of July Pool Party can be easy and fun if you follow some of my simple tips. The 4th of July is a great time of year. Most of our neighbors get together and enjoy a backyard BBQ and some good clean old-fashioned fun. In South Florida, the summers are hot and we keep things light and simple with lots of drinks, salads and time in the pool.
It’s hard to keep the kids hydrated because they never want to stop to drink anything, so I make sport ice pops. Give a kid a frozen pop and they’ll sit and eat it. I freeze some red white and blue sports drinks in plastic cups in the freezer in layers with popsicle sticks. It works great and they love them!
As you might guess, keeping adults drinking something is a lot easier, so I keep it super simple with a big fruited lemonade. Just fill a big serving container with fresh fruit (fresh lemons, limes and berries) some store- bought lemonade mix and serve it up or let them help themselves. Fruit punch also works and you can serve vodka or rum on the side for a kick. (drink responsibly) 🙂
For a casual backyard party, I usually ask everyone bring a side dish so I have less work to do. I also make most of what I’m cooking ahead of time as much as I can. That way, I can enjoy all of the great dishes and join in on the fun. One way to do that is serve something I can set up in advance. I like to serve Kabobs along with salads and vegetables that can be made ahead and refrigerated until ready to grill and serve.
Pool parties are about everyone getting wet, right? One great way to get everyone in the pool is a game.
Get a large whole watermelon (the bigger the better) and put it in the pool.
Divide your guests into two teams at opposite ends of the pool. Drop the watermelon in the center. The team’s have to rush to the watermelon, retrieve it, and bring it to the other team’s side first. Only one rule: you can’t lift it out of the water. The kids will start but the adults will take over in no time. It’s hard to resist!
One of my all time favorite party desserts is a trifle and this one is appropriately red, white and blue. As the name “trifle” suggests, this is a really easy dessert and again, one you can make before hand. No fuss! The layers in this dish, no matter what you use, ensure that it will be pretty to look at as well as delicious.
I also make cake pops specific to my parties so be sure to check out my 4th of July Cake Pops recipe and my Cake Pops Made Easy Video if you’re interested in making cake pops too. The kids love these (and the adults too!) You can make these any time during the week before your party.
The 4th of July is a great day to focus on the things we are thankful for, like family, friends and of course, our freedom. When our bellies are full and the sun goes down, nothing beats a trip to the the local fireworks display. Add your own touches to this traditional celebration and be sure to leave a comment below with any questions or ideas of your own. I would love to hear from you! Stay safe!
The recipe above originally appeared on Betty Crocker.com.
Original Content & Images Source: Cooking With Sugar
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