DIY // POOL PARTY

If you are lucky enough to have access to your own pool, here are tips to throwing a pool party stocked with some serious summer refreshments!

(Look below images for detailed recipes and free menu card printables).

Swing by your nearest Constantino’s Market to pick up the simple supplies you will need to make the following pool side treats and adult beverages.

–Fun Lemonade Pool Drinks:

Who doesn’t love lemonade? If you don’t you probably shouldn’t come to this pool party. I sometimes enjoy my liquid refreshment  in some form of pink lemonade (and sometimes most of the time I add some extra built in fun with vodka).

Here are five fun adult lemonade drink ideas (with a bonus jello shot recipe) as well as a recipe for some yummy lemon crisp cookies.

1. Pink Surprise

+1 (12-oz.) can frozen pink lemonade concentrate, thawed  (you can always use Crystal Light Pink Lemonade powder if you are watching your calories – that is my go to trick)

+3 (12-oz.) bottles beer (not dark), chilled

+3/4 cup vodka, chilled

+Ice

• • Stir together first 3 ingredients. Serve over ice. Garnish, if desired. Garnish ideas: Fresh cranberries, citrus slices.
  • 2. Strawberry Lemonade Sparkler
  • +2 oz. strawberry infused Svedka vodka
    +2 oz. simple syrup
    +2 oz. fresh lemon juice
    +6 strawberries
    +Fresh mint
    Mix all ingredients together and top with sparkling wine. Garnish with strawberries and fresh mint.
  • 3. Frozen French Lemonade
  • +1/2 cup Alizé Red Passion liqueur
  • +1/2 cup citrus vodka
  • +1/2 cup frozen lemonade concentrate
  • +4 cups of ice
  • Add ice, Alizé Red Passion liqueur, citrus vodka, water and  frozen lemonade concentrate to a blender. Blend until slushy and pour into a Champagne flute. Garnish as you wish.
     
    4. Thyme Lemonade
    +1 1/2 cups superfine sugar
    +1 bunch fresh thyme sprigs, additional for garnishing
    +2 cups fresh lemon juice (about 13 lemons)
    +1 oz. vodka
    +Cucumber for garnish
    In a medium saucepan, bring sugar, thyme and 1 cup water to a boil; stir until sugar is dissolved, about three minutes.  Stir in lemon juice and 6 cups cold water, strain into a large pitcher. Refrigerate until cold (will stay for about a week). Pour one shot of vodka over ice, stir and garnish with thyme spring a a few thin slices of cucumber.
     
    5. Skinny Pink Lemonade
    +2-4 whole lemons
    +Crystal Light Pink Lemonade Mix + water (follow directions; enough to make 8 cups mix)
    +1 oz. shot of Vodka per glass of Low Cal Pink Lemonade
    +Straws
    Cut the lemons into quarters or round/flat slices. Mix the Crystal Light with water (according to the directions) in a 2 quart pitcher. Pour into a glass over ice. Pour in one shot of vodka and stir with straw. Add lemon(s) for garnish.
     
    **BONUS**
    Serve your drinks in mason jars with a straw for a touch of fun!
     
    –Pink Lemonade Jello Shots:
    6. Pink-Lem-ello Shots 
    A hollowed out lemon makes a perfect mold for a pink lemonade jello shot. So fun!
    +12 whole lemons
    +1 cup pink lemonade  (you can always use Crystal Light Pink Lemonade powder if you are watching your calories)
    +2 packages plain gelatin
    +1 cup vodka
    Time: 4 hours, 20 min.   Serves 12
    Cut the lemons in half. Scoop out the insides. Add the lemonade to a saucepan, sprinkle the gelatin over the juice. Let it sit for 2 minutes. Heat the lemonade over low heat, stirring, until the gelatin has dissolved, about 5 minutes. Stir in the vodka. Pour into the lemon halves. Refrigerate until set, about 4 hours. Cut the lemons into half and serve.
     
    –Lemon Treats:
    7. Lemon crisp Cookies 
    After downing one multiples of these tasty drinks, you will realize that you need a snack.
    These delicious lemon crisp cookies pair nicely…and you can really never have too much lemon.
    +1/2 c. (118 g) unsalted butter, room temp
    +3/4 c. (149 g)sugar
    +1 egg, room temp
    +1 1/2 Tbsp lemon juice (I just used the juice of half a lemon)
    +1 1/2 Tbsp lemon zest (I used the zest from the whole lemon)
    +1/2 tsp vanilla
    +1/2 tsp baking powder
    +1/4 tsp baking soda
    +1/4 tsp salt
    +1 1/4 c. (156 g) flour
    Preheat oven to 350F (175C).Cream together the butter and sugar, then add the egg, juice, zest and vanilla. Sift in the dry ingredients and mix until just combined. Drop by 1 1/2 tsps onto lined baking sheets and bake 10-12 min until lightly golden around edges. Let cool on sheets one minute before placing on racks to cool completely. Makes about 2 dozen.
     
    Lemon Icing
    +3/4 c icing sugar and just enough lemon juice to make a thick paste.  (you probably won’t use this much icing, but will have extra for spoon licking)
    +1 c (150 g) icing sugar
    +4-6 Tbsp lemon juice
    Beat together and drizzle over cooled cookies. 
     
    Enjoy!!
     
    **PS**
    8. I suggest creating a pretty table for serving of these tasty treats with cute place cards in front of each item. You could even use these ideas for a yellow and pink themed casual wedding or birthday party.
     
    **PPS**
    9. Don’t forget to download your free printable menu cards.

    Photo Credits:1. Beth Dreiling  2. Rippee Photography  3. LCBO

    4. Mama’s Gotta Bake  5. Angie McGowan  6. Baked Bree

    7. Bitty Kate  8. Cherished Bliss  9. Audrey Kuether