The Best Beach Drinks & Snacks For A Refreshing Day Spent Seaside

Beach days are usually bursting at the seams with all kinds of energy and activity: sports, playing in the surf, building sandcastles, or even just digging a giant hole. All that fun is thirsty work, and even the most experienced beachgoers will tell you that refreshments are what make a day at the ocean last from morning until sunset.

Bringing the right mix of drinks and snacks keeps your energy up, your mood high, and your time in the sun enjoyable. With just a little planning, you can create the perfect spread to share with family and friends while making sure your day at the beach stays cool and delicious.

Aguas Frescas

When the sun is blazing, nothing feels quite as satisfying as a tall glass of agua fresca. These traditional Mexican drinks are made by blending fruit, water, sugar, and lime juice, resulting in something light and hydrating. They’re refreshing without being heavy, and they come in flavors as vibrant as the beaches themselves.

Popular choices include agua de jamaica, with its tart hibiscus notes, or piña, which adds the sweetness of pineapple. Coco and pepino bring their own unique twists, and the variety means there’s something for everyone. Beyond their taste, these drinks pack antioxidants and vitamins while the sugars provide a quick boost of energy (just what you need before the next beach volleyball match).

The only challenge is keeping them cold, but SUNFLOW makes that easy. Both the 22 oz Icon Water Bottle and the 30 oz Big Kahuna Water Bottle are well insulated enough to keep ice cubes frozen for up to 24 hours. That means your homemade agua fresca stays crisp and ready all day, no matter how long you’re soaking in the sun.

White Sangria

For those who want to add a little celebration to their seaside outing, white sangria is the drink of choice. With its crisp base of chilled white wine and a medley of fresh fruit, this beverage is the very definition of summer refreshment. The best versions add something sparkling, like soda water or citrus-flavored seltzer, which helps lighten the mix and makes every sip a burst of cool bubbles.

White wines hold their own against lower temperatures better than reds, and they also pair beautifully with fruits like peaches, apples, and berries. A pitcher prepared the night before allows the flavors to meld, so by the time you’re lounging under your umbrella, it’s perfectly chilled and balanced. 

Few things beat the joy of sipping a frosty glass of sangria while the ocean breeze rolls in. That’s where SUNFLOW’s Sunset Sipper comes in. These insulated tumblers are tailor-made for sunset soirées, keeping sangria at a brisk and icy chill. 

Regardless of your refreshment of choice, it would be a real drag to be forced to cart it around all day or lose some of the chill by sticking it into the hot sand. SUNFLOW chair owners won’t need to make that choice, however, as the SUNFLOW Cup Holder attaches to the Shore Thing, High Tide, and Tall Sand Dune chairs, so your drink stays secure while you lean back and relax. Not all containers are made alike, so we’ve designed it to be adjustable to fit anything from your gallon-sized water bottle to a typical 12-oz can.

Watermelon

Of all the foods associated with summer, watermelon stands in a class of its own. Its juicy, sweet bite is instantly refreshing, and its high water content makes it one of the most hydrating fruits you can pack for a hot day. The bright red slices also bring a little nostalgia, reminding us of carefree childhood summers spent with sticky fingers and big grins.

The versatile melon doesn’t scream “portability,” but luckily, the juicy meat of it can be cut up into packageable slices, cubes, or even scoops. Watermelon is best when served cold, and adding a sprinkle of salt or a dash of Tajín seasoning elevates it into something truly memorable. 

Keeping watermelon perfectly chilled until it’s time to serve is where the SUNFLOW Chiller Tote makes all the difference. Designed to keep contents cold for hours, it ensures every slice is as refreshing as it should be.

Pasta Salad

After a few hours in the sun, a heartier snack becomes necessary, and pasta salad is a go-to favorite. From tortellini tossed with fresh veggies to black bean and corn mixes, these dishes travel well and stay flavorful even in the heat. Their variety means you can keep things light or add protein to make them more filling, depending on your beach crew’s appetite.

The secret to a good beach-ready pasta salad is hydration. Ingredients like cucumbers, tomatoes, and leafy greens add a refreshing bite, while beans, grains, or pasta provide energy that lasts through swimming and sandcastle building. These salads also hold up well when prepped ahead of time, giving flavors the chance to blend for even better taste.

When the sky turns golden and the tide begins its slow retreat, the right refreshments make the day feel complete. A chilled drink, a juicy bite, or a satisfying salad gives you the energy to savor every moment until the last light fades. With SUNFLOW keeping everything cool, steady, and close by, you’ll always have the perfect pairing to match the rhythm of the waves.