This summer, you'll encounter all sorts of tricky situations. So every Friday, we're offering up some tips and tricks to ensure you come out on top. First up, a basic but important skill to master—packing the perfect cooler. Our resident tailgating expert has passed on a decade's old trick for fast, near-freezing refreshment.
No cooler? This method will still work in an ice chest or hotel room sink.
Bottles should be lined up standing straight (fill in gaps with upside-down bottles). Cans are stacked on their sides.
Pour in about an inch of water and then cover the beverages with ice.
Top the ice with a thin layer of salt. This melts the ice, lowering the temperature of the water, creating an ice bath around 35 degrees Fahrenheit.