Road Trip Ready: Why Your Memorial Day Cooler Needs AZ Lemonade Stand

Content by Hannah Gale, Greyfel Designs LLC

TLDR: Skip the lukewarm drinks this Memorial Day. To pack like a pro, preemptively chill your cooler and jars, layering ice at the bottom and top, and keeping the melted water in the cooler to maintain a freezing cold bath for your lemonade.

Memorial Day is more than just a long weekend. It’s the unofficial starting gun for summer. Are you preparing for a rugged hike in Montana? Maybe a sunny beach day in California, or a desert staycation right here in Arizona, one thing is certain, nobody likes a lukewarm drink.

As we celebrate our growth into eight states across the West, including Nevada, Idaho, Oregon, Washington, and Utah, we’ve learned a thing or two about staying cool in diverse climates. Packing a cooler is an art form, especially when you’re carrying premium cargo like our 32oz jars.

Here is your definitive Memorial Day Cooler Guide to ensure your Memorial Day Weekend is perfectly chilled and Road Trip Ready.

The Strategy: Layering for Longevity

To keep your drinks frosty from Friday’s departure to Monday’s sunset, you have to think in layers. Most people throw ice on top and hope for the best, but pros know that cold air travels downward.

• The Foundation: Start with frozen reusable blocks at the very bottom.
• The Core: Place your heaviest items and your favorite AZ Lemonade Stand flavors in the middle. Because our lemonade comes in sturdy glass jars, they act as cold sinks, holding the temperature much longer than plastic ever could.
• The Top: Finish with a generous layer of loose ice to fill the gaps.

Chill Everything (Including the Cooler!)

This is the secret sauce for keeping your summer essentials cold. If you put room temperature lemonade into a cooler, the ice immediately starts melting just to bring the jars down to temp.

Before you head out on your summer kickoff adventure, put your jars in the fridge the night before. If you have the space, bring your empty cooler inside the house so it isn’t starting at high temperatures from sitting in an Arizona garage. A cold cooler keeps ice up to 50% longer.

The “Air is the Enemy” Rule

The more empty space you have in your cooler, the faster your ice will melt. If you find yourself with extra room after packing your lemonade and snacks, fill the voids with rolled towels or extra ice. This prevents the cold air from escaping every time you reach in for a refill of Original or Prickly Pear.

Regional Tips: From the Coast to the Canyon

Since AZ Lemonade Stand is now available across the West, we’ve tailored our tips for your specific destination:

• The Montana and Idaho Hiker: If you’re heading into high altitudes, remember that sun exposure is intense. Keep your cooler in the shade of your vehicle or under a reflective thermal blanket.
• The California and Oregon Beach Lovers: Sand is a heat conductor. Use a cooler with off roading wheels to keep the base off the hot sand, and always rinse the salt spray off your glass jars before opening to keep that fresh flavor pure.
• The Arizona and Nevada Local: In the 100 degree+ heat, consider the two cooler System. Use one cooler for food (opened less frequently) and a dedicated AZ Lemonade Stand cooler for drinks.
  

5. Whatever You Do…Don’t Drain the Cold Water!

It’s a common myth that you should drain the melted water. Unless you are adding fresh ice, keep that icy water inside! It’s significantly colder than the air that will replace it, and it helps keep the jars submerged in a constant cold bath.

Join the Journey

We are proud to be an Arizona made brand that is now refreshing the entire West. We want to see your memorial day sips! 

• Follow our journey on Instagram and Facebook!
• Tag us in your photos for a chance to be featured.
• DM us to collaborate! We love partnering with fellow adventurers and local creators.

Ready to Stock Up?

Don’t head into the long weekend with an empty cooler. Visit our flavors page to find your favorites, from the classic zest of our Original Lemonade to our bold seasonal blends.

Find a stand near you, pack that cooler right, and let’s make this the most refreshing Memorial Day yet!