Pre-chill your cooler and use block ice.

Yes, that’s the simple answer. Pre-chilling the cooler and swapping cubes for block ice will keep things cold way longer.

Here’s why: A warm cooler melts ice immediately. Toss a bag of ice into a hot cooler and half of it turns to water before you leave the driveway. Put the cooler in the fridge or fill it with ice packs a couple hours ahead. The thermal mass of the cold cooler means your party ice lasts longer.

Block ice is the real hack. Cubes have way more surface area, so they melt faster. A solid block of ice — or even two smaller blocks — gives you hours more cold. Make your own in milk cartons or buy bags of block ice if you can find them. Pack the ice on the bottom, food on top. And try to keep the cooler in the shade, open it as little as possible, and drain melt water instead of letting it slosh around.

Your drinks won’t be swimming by noon, and that’s the goal.