Everything you need for the best St. Louis pool party

By Heather Hughes, Meera Nagarajan and Adam Rothbarth // July 23, 2019

Whether at a luxury hotel or an inflatable pool in your backyard, no summer is complete without a pool party. All you need are easy drinks, simple snacks and a wavy playlist.

Summer Snacking

Pool snacks are a delicate balance. You want things that can sit out and are satisfying without making you feel too full. You also need ice cream treats to cool you down.

1. Coconut Popsicles
The coconut popsicles at La Vallesana taste like vacation. Creamy, sweet coconut cream and chewy coconut flakes will transport you to the tropics. $3. available at La Vallesana

2. Culinaria Honey-Roasted Cashews
These cashews are coated in chunky sugar and salt crystals for an irresistible crunchy coating. $6. Available at Schnucks

3. Mezzetta Castelvetrano Olives
This is the gateway olive – the one that will open olive-haters’ minds. Castelvetranos have a buttery texture and a mild flavor perfect for poolside snacking. $6. Available at Dierbergs

4. Mateo’s Gourmet Salsa
Every party needs a salsa, and this is our current favorite. If you can handle it, get Mateo’s incredible hot variety. Otherwise, go for the hatch chili salsa. Either way, be sure to buy a few jars. They’ll go quick. $5. Available at Schnucks

5. Frozen Grapes
It might be basic, but this summertime hack is made for the pool. Frozen grapes are a refreshing, sweet treat that won’t weigh you down.

Read More // 3 pool-perfect batch cocktail recipes to make this summer

The Official Pool Party Mixtape

After drinks, the most important component of a pool party is music. The best choice is Yeezus by Kanye West on repeat, but if you’re not on that level, this playlist should keep most of your guests feeling pretty good. Charge your Bluetooth speaker, grab a cold one, and queue up these cool tunes. – A.R.

1. “Heat Wave” Snail Mail

2. “Darling” Real Estate

3. “You’re Not Good Enough” Blood Orange

4. “Days” Television

5. “Vegas” Big Thief

6. “Everything I Am” Kanye West

7. “Spirit in the Night” Bruce Springsteen

8. “Passionate Kisses" Lucinda Williams

9. “Littlest Things” Twin Shadow

10. “Follow” DIIV

11. “Thinking of a Place” The War on Drugs

12. “All That” Carly Rae Jepsen