Inspiring recipes to spice up your pool party

You're planning a pool party and want to surprise your guests with fancy food and drinks? Don't worry we got your back. We'll show you some dishes that your friends will love. All you need now is a cold pool, good weather and positive vibes for your party and the evening will be a hit!

#1 - Mini Burgers

A classic pool party includes a grill. Is there anything better than grilling burgers? Juicy meat, soft bun, fresh salad and a good sauce. Just finger-licking good! We will show you the recipe for mini burgers. You can offer them as a main meal or as a stylish snack at your party.

Recipe

For the buns:

• ​​​​​​250 g flour
• 140 ml milk
• ¼ cube yeast
• ½ tsp sugar
• 1 egg
• ½ tsp salt
• Some sesame seeds for sprinkling on top

For the patties:

• 500 g minced meat
• 1 tsp paprika powder
• Salt
• Pepper

For the topping:

• 1 handful of lettuce
• 6 slices of cheddar cheese
• 1 red onion
• 12 slices of pickles
• Ketchup
• Mustard

Preparation:
 

1. Sift the flour into a bowl. Make a well in the centre, pour in some milk and dissolve the yeast and sugar in it. Sprinkle a little flour on top and leave to stand for 15 minutes.
2. When the pre-dough is ready, pour in the milk, beat in the egg and add the salt. Now knead everything together into a smooth dough and leave it to rise in a warm place for an hour.
3. While the dough is rising, you can prepare the burger patties. To do this, place the mince in a bowl with the spices and knead thoroughly. This can be done for 1-2 minutes, as you don't need an egg to hold the patties together. Then form the minced meat into 12 small patties. Preheat the oven to 200 degrees.
4. After the dough has risen, knead it again briefly and divide it into 12 palm-sized pieces. Then shape them into small rolls. Whisk the egg with a tablespoon of milk, brush the top of the rolls with the mixture and sprinkle the sesame seeds on top. Now put the buns in the oven for 15 minutes. Meanwhile, heat enough oil in a frying pan and fry the burgers all around.
5. Wash the lettuce briefly and pluck into suitable pieces. Halve the cheese slices, peel the onion and cut into rings. Now take the buns out of the oven, let them cool a little and then cut them in half. Put ketchup and mustard on the top and spread some onions on top. Put a lettuce leaf on the bottom, then a burger pattie and a slice of cheese. Then add an onion ring and a slice of pickle. Then place the "lid" on top. Repeat these steps until all the mini burgers are done. Finally, serve on a tray or on a rustic wooden board and enjoy.

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#2 - Buffalo Chicken Wings

A sunny summer day, in a cold pool, a hot grill and chicken wings. Sounds like the perfect combo. Let them spice up - Buffalo chicken wings, world famous and when they are homemade, they taste different.

Recipe

• 16 chicken wings (about 1.5kg)
• 110g unsalted butter 
• 1 tsp cayenne pepper
• 4 tsps Frank's hot sauce, or 1 tsp Tabasco
• 1 tsp salt
• 200g crumbled gorgonzola or other blue cheese
• 220g mayonnaise
• 190g sour cream
• 2 tbsps milk
• 3/4 tsp Worcestershire sauce
• 1 1/2 tsps salt
• 3/4 tsp freshly ground black pepper
• Celery sticks, for serving

Preparation:
 

1. Preheat the griller.
2. Cut the chicken wings in thirds, cutting between the bones. discard the wing tips. Melt the butter and add the cayenne, hot sauce, and salt. Put the wings on a sheet pan and brush them with the melted butter. Grill them about 3 inches below the heat for 8 minutes. Turn the wings, brush them again with the butter, and grill for 4 more minutes or until cooked.
3. For the sauce, place the blue cheese, mayonnaise, sour cream, milk, worcestershire, salt, and pepper in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a steel blade. Process until almost smooth.
4. Serve the chicken wings hot or at room temperature with the blue cheese dip and celery sticks.

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#3 - Chicken Fajita Quesadillas

Looking to spice up your party a bit? Mexican, spicy traditional food. More specifically, quesadillas. Melted cheese, hot spices and juicy chicken. Everyone at your party will be all over it.

Recipe

• 4 tortilla wraps of your choice (wheat or wholemeal)
• 200g grated cheddar
• 200g chicken meat of your choice (best roasted/cooked beforehand)
• 1 yellow pepper
• 1 red pepper
• 1 white onion
• 1 cup sour cream
• Chives
• Parsley
• Lemon juice
• Salt
• Pepper

Preparation:
 

1. Wash the peppers and cut them into small cubes. Cut the onion into large, fine rings and also chop the chicken meat. If desired, season the meat a little more (e.g. with fajita seasoning)..
2. Heat a grill pan/toast grill and place one wrap in each. Place the onions, peppers, chicken and cheddar on top. Place a second wrap on top and fry on both sides for about 2-3 minutes. When the cheese has melted, take them out.
3. Make a simple sour cream with the sour cream, herbs and lemon juice and use it for dipping.

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#4 - Classic Macaroni Salad

The classic at any party, but also not surprising, because maaroni salad just always tastes good and goes perfectly with all barbecue dishes. Simply ideal for a warm summer day!

Recipe

• 470 ml Mayonnaise
• 200 grams salad macaroni
• 1/4 cup minced carrots
• 1 tbsp finely chopped onions
• 1/3 cup pickle relish
• 2/3 cup pineapple tidbits, drained and sliced (reserved juice)
• 2/3 cup cooked shredded chicken breast
• 1/2 cup cheese, diced
• 2 tbsp white sugar
• pinch ground black pepper
• iodised salt, to taste

Preparation:
 

1. Cook the macaroni and the chicken. Set aside, covered.
2. Chop the ingredients (carrots, cheese, onions, pickle relish, pineapple, ham, and chicken).
3. Combine the ingredients and fold-in with Mayonnaise, then toss well. Season with sugar, salt, and pepper to taste. Chill before serving.

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#5 - Frozen Smoothie Bowl

Dessert is a must! And when it's hot in the summer, nothing beats cold fruit, which is simply more refreshing than regular ice cream. Try it with a frozen smoothie bowl. Cold and fruity, the perfect dessert.

Recipe

• 300 g frozen berry mix  
• 100 g almonds (with skin) 
• Orange  
• 4 kiwis  
• Pomegranate  
• large ripe bananas  
• 4-6 tbsp almond milk  
• Apple (e.g. Braeburn)

Preparation:
 

1. Allow the berries to thaw for about 15 minutes. Roast the almonds in a pan without fat for approx. 4 minutes. Peel the orange so that the white skin is completely removed. Roughly dice the flesh. Peel the kiwis and cut out balls with a ball cutter. Cut the pomegranate into large pieces and remove the seeds. Set aside approx. 1⁄4 pomegranate seeds and some raspberries from the berry mix.
2. Peel the bananas and break them into pieces. Purée bananas with milk, remaining pomegranate seeds, kiwi pulp and remaining berries in a stand mixer until creamy.
3. Coarsely chop the almonds. Wash the apple, quarter, core and cut into thin slices. Serve the smoothie in bowls. Sprinkle the rest of the fruit and almonds on top.

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#6 - Watermelon Margarita

The Margarita an iconic drink. With frozen watermelon, good tequila and the sweet sugar rim simply an ideal cocktail for the summer and your pool party!

Recipe

• 90 g melon pulp watermelon
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 30 ml tequila
• 10 ml Cointreau
• 1 lime wedge

Preparation:
 

1. Cut the melon flesh into small pieces and place in the freezer.
2. Dip the rim of the cocktail glass first in lime juice and then in sugar and let it dry.
3. Puree the remaining ingredients with the frozen melon pulp in a blender and pour into the prepared glass. Squeeze in the juice of a lime wedge and serve the drink immediately. 

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#7 - Aperol Spritz

The Italian cult drink, which enjoys international popularity, is a classic cafe-bar drink that can also be enjoyed as a refreshing drink in summer. Ideal, therefore, for a friendly get-together.

Recipe

• 1 orange
• 1 tablespoon mineral water
• 40 ml Aperol  
• 80 ml Prosecco
• ice cubes

Preparation:

Wash the orange hot and cut it into slices. Pour mineral water and Aperol into a glass. Add 1 orange slice and ice cubes and fill up with Prosecco. Use the rest of the orange for other purposes.
 

#8 - Strawberry lemonade

On hot summer days it is almost logical to drink lemonade. How about strawberry lemonade? A big cold glass with sweet strawberries and cold ice is the perfect thirst quencher.

Recipe

• 500 g watermelon
• 1 lemon
• 2 limes
• 250 ml sparkling mineral water
• crushed ice
• 2 tablespoons agave syrup

Preparation:
 

1. Cut watermelon into wedges, remove seeds and separate flesh from rind. Cut lemons and limes in half and squeeze juice. Place watermelon with the lemon juice and 3 tablespoons crushed ice in a blender and puree until smooth. 
2. Sweeten the melon puree with agave syrup. Divide among four tall glasses, top with mineral water and plenty of ice. Enjoy ice cold.

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#9 - Homemade Iced Tea

A simple refreshing drink, but when it's homemade, it just tastes even better. Cold black tea with peaches, simple, but your guests will love it.

Recipe

• 5 peaches (approx. 500g)
• 4 bags of black tea
• 4 tablespoons sugar (to taste)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice

Preparation:
 

1. Prepare ice cubes in a container or ice cube bag and freeze. Wash and pit peaches and cut into wedges. Bring slices to a boil with sugar and 250 ml water in a saucepan. Continue to simmer over medium heat for about 10 minutes. Then pour through a sieve into a bowl, leave to cool. 
2. Meanwhile, boil water and pour the black tea with 500ml boiling water and lemon juice. Let steep for about 3-4 min (depending on how strong you want the bitter flavor to come out). Remove the bag and let the tea cool down.
3. Fill a large pot (at least 1.5L capacity) with ice cubes and peach wedges. Pour in the cooled tea and the cooled peach syrup and add 500 ml of cold water. Enjoy cold.

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