Pool parties are the fastest cool down. When it is hot outside, serve cold items. Here are some ideas: 1) Freeze fruit juice Sangria. Cranberry juice with slices of orange, lime and lemon are perfect. As the heat sets in, the juice reaches a chill-down comfort level. 2) Serve chilled coconut milk for a chill-down summer soup. Add Bing cherries for color and serve in coconut halves or ceramic coconut halves. 3) Try Pear Pops. The night before, melt semi-sweet chocolate in a double boiler. Then, dip fresh whole pears, (with a sturdy wooden pick in the top of each pear), into the chocolate. The last step is to coat the chocolate layer with toasted coconut. Chill down the pears before serving. It’s a pear popping popular treat to beat the summer heat!© Kelly McBride Loft