Stop Tossing Old Terracotta Pots: Make A Classier Patio Beverage Cooler

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Whether you're soaking up the sun with friends or hosting a family BBQ, it's always nice to have a cold beverage nearby while you're relaxing in your backyard. But if you don't have ice on hand (or just don't feel like refilling your cooler throughout the day), there is another way to keep your drinks chilly: Transform simple terracotta planters into a stylish beverage cooler (no ice required). Also known as a zeer pot, this clever contraption has been used in parts of Africa and the Middle East to keep food products fresh. But as you can see in this video from BuzzFeed Nifty on YouTube, it's also useful for drinks.

For this DIY, you'll need a few supplies, including two large terracotta pots with drainage at the bottom. Need an example? Check out Home Depot's Large Terracotta Planter with Drainage Hole ($29.97) to get an idea of what works here. Make sure they're different sizes, so that one fits inside the other with at least an inch or two of space between them. (If you're repurposing old planters, make sure to follow these steps to clean the terracotta pots thoroughly.) In addition, you should have a roll of duct tape, a rolling plant saucer, two bricks, a small shovel or scoop, a watering can, and enough sand to fill the gap between the two clay pots. If you want your cooler to look a little classier, you can also buy glass beads from Dollar Tree to decorate the space between the planters.

Get started by ripping off two pieces of duct tape and placing them over the inside and outside of the first pot's drainage holes. The length of the tape will vary based on the size of your planters, but you should use enough to completely cover the gaps (and extend a couple of inches over the sides of the holes, too). Repeat that step for the second pot.

When you're ready to assemble, take your supplies to a shady part of your yard and set the rolling plant stand on the ground. On it, place two bricks on their sides, leaving space between them to create ventilation underneath the cooler. Then, rest the larger planter on top. Pour five to 10 shovelfuls of sand inside and compress it down with your hand. (You want to create an even layer that covers the drain hole.) Place the smaller planter inside the bigger one, making sure the tops are even.

Now, here's where the cooling magic happens. Fill the gap between the pots with as much sand as will fit. When it's full to the brim, add enough water to thoroughly wet the sand. Add another layer of sand above it and water that down, too. If you're using glass beads, arrange them on top of the sand, then wet it again so it's completely soaked. Put your water bottles, beer cans, sodas, or other beverages inside and drape a damp towel over the top. Once all the water evaporates, the sand will draw heat away from the inner pot and help keep your drinks chilly.