During the summer heat, we’re always seeking ways to stay cool. Besides soft drinks, seasonal fruits, smoothies, and juices, the simplest and most effective solution is, of course, drinking water!

But what if our water isn’t chilled? Is there a way to cool it down? There’s a trick worth trying, and you can do it anywhere outdoors, provided you have the right tools with you!

What do you need? A bottle of water and a damp cloth (like a cloth, shirt, or towel). Here’s how the trick works:

1. Thoroughly wet the cloth and wring it out so it’s damp but not dripping.
2. Wrap the water bottle with a damp cloth, ensuring the entire surface is covered.
3. Now, place the cloth-wrapped bottle in the sun! Yes, you heard right—under the sun! This process is based on thermodynamics. The sun’s heat will evaporate the moisture from the cloth, which in turn absorbs heat from the bottle, effectively cooling its contents.

This technique works equally well for plastic, glass, and aluminum bottles.

Other equally effective tricks include:

• Using coarse salt and ice: Perfect for picnics outdoors. Fill a bowl with ice and add coarse salt. Submerge your drinks in the icy mixture for a quick chill. The ice melts rapidly, delivering refreshingly cold drinks in just a couple of minutes.
• Natural cold water immersion: If you’re near a natural lake or the sea, dipping your water bottle in the cool water can also provide a refreshing chill. Just make sure the bottle is tightly sealed.