Here’s What to Pack in your Cooler for the Beach
There are two types of people at the beach.
The first arrives with a towel, a half-warm bottle of water, and the confidence that everything will somehow work out.The second arrives with a cooler.
Be the friend with the cooler.
Whether you're heading to the dock, the beach, the campground, or spending a lazy afternoon beside the kiddie pool, here's what we're stocking in our cooler this summer.
The BTN Cooler Checklist
✔ Water
✔ Something sparkling
✔ Electrolytes
✔ A mocktail option
✔ A local beer, cooler, or spritzer
✔ Frozen treats
✔ Ice
✔ More ice than you think you'll need
The perfect summer day isn't about having the biggest boat, the best beach, or the most elaborate plans— but it does greatly benefit from the perfect cooler. Cold drinks. Frozen treats. Something sparkling. Something hydrating. Something for the designated driver— we have you covered.
For Staying Hydrated
Sapsucker Sparkling Tree Water
Made from Canadian maple and birch sap, Sapsucker is lightly sparkling, naturally refreshing, and far less sweet than most canned drinks.
Best for: Long afternoons in the sun.
Flow Water
Canadian spring water packaged with sustainability in mind.
Keep a few chilled in the cooler and you'll thank yourself later.
Best for: Everyone who forgets to drink enough water.
Organika Electrolytes
You’ve got to stay hydrated out there during those long summer days.
Organika's electrolyte products make it easier to recover after a long paddle, a beach volleyball game, or a day spent chasing kids around the shoreline. They even have a kid’s version.
Best for: Active summer days.
For People Who Want Something More Exciting Than Water
Sapsucker Sparkling Lemonade
Part lemonade. Part sparkling water. Entirely summer.
These are the drinks you reach for around 2 p.m. when the sun is high and nobody feels like moving.
Best for: Dock lounging.
Cove Soda
Made in Canada and sweetened without traditional sugar, Cove has become one of our favourite alternatives to conventional soft drinks.
Best for: Cooler space that would otherwise be occupied by pop.
County Bounty Sparkling Coconut Water
A little tropical. A little Canadian.
Best for: Pretending you're somewhere south of Muskoka.
For the Mocktail Crowd
Not everyone wants alcohol, but everyone deserves a fun drink.
Collective Arts Non-Alcoholic Cocktails
The cans look great. The flavours are even better.
Collective Arts has developed some of the most interesting non-alcoholic options in Canada, making them perfect for designated drivers, early mornings, or anyone looking for a break from beer.
Best for: Sharing around the dock.
Partake Brewing
Partake's non-alcoholic beers have become one of Canada's biggest beverage success stories.
Crisp, refreshing, and surprisingly close to the real thing.
Best for: Beer lovers taking it easy.
For Happy Hour at the Beach
A cooler without a few adult beverages feels incomplete.
East Coast Style Wine Spritzers
Wine spritzers were made for summer.
Look for Canadian-made options that combine wine, bubbles, and fruit-forward flavours. They're light, refreshing, and easy to sip while your feet are in the water.
Best for: Sunset watching.
Dillon's Cocktails
Made in Ontario, Dillon's canned cocktails have become a staple of cottage weekends.
Best for: The friend who usually orders something complicated.
Collective Arts Hard Beverages
Known for their artwork and creativity, Collective Arts produces a range of refreshing canned beverages that fit perfectly into a beach cooler.
Best for: Sharing
…And Don't Forget Dessert
Every great cooler has a surprise hiding at the bottom. No one expects you to pull out ice-cream, right?
Chapman's
An Ontario classic.
Whether it's frozen treats, ice cream sandwiches, or popsicles, Chapman's belongs in every Canadian summer.
Best for: Everyone.
Kawartha Dairy Ice Cream Sandwiches
If you're lucky enough to find them before they sell out, buy them.
That's the recommendation.
Best for: Becoming everyone's favourite person at the beach.
Homemade Popsicles
Freeze lemonade, fruit juice, yogurt, or fresh berries into reusable molds for a cooler-friendly dessert that feels nostalgic in all the right ways.
Best for: Kids and adults who still act like kids.