Meet the Cocktail Pool, a Small-but-Mighty Addition to Your Exterior

There’s just something about sipping a cocktail by a body of water. Lake, bay, ocean… we aren’t picky. But when you’re far from the coast, or simply don’t want to leave your home, consider this unique gathering concept: the cocktail pool. Measuring roughly 12 feet wide and 3 to 4 feet deep, these have a small footprint but can completely transform your exterior space.

Tony Meyes

Karen Larson, founder of Soake Pools, disrupted the industry with her family-owned and operated business that manufactures precast concrete pools that can operate year-round (yes, even in frigid Montana winters!). Using porcelain tile that can withstand freezing temperatures, these custom pools are delivered to your home, installed by a contractor, and almost immediately ready for your next cocktail hour. 

“When we first started, all of our photos were sort of New England-y, earthy kinds of stone-like looking tiles,” she recalls. “More recently, we’ve really created more interesting palettes like checkerboard, like yellow and white check, or things you might think of in the Southwest and West Coast.”

Kelsey Ann Rose

But make no mistake, these space-saving, pint-sized pools are well-suited for any type of environment. In fact, Soake’s first soak pool was designed for Larson’s own backyard, which measures about 6 acres. 

“We have a huge yard, but what that small pool did was create a gathering space and a focal point… without dominating our yard,” she says.

Kelsey Ann Rose

As you consider where and how to place a plunge pool in your home, Larson reminds us to soften any hardscaping. She recommends working with a landscape designer, and asking for plantings to complement patio pavers and the pool itself. “The hard surfaces, the soft plants, and then the water—that’s where the magic happens,” she adds.

One more tip from Larson? Think carefully about your glassware. “Always use non-breakable glasses around a pool,” she advises. “Get a really nice looking cocktail glass, and it’ll be a smashing success.”