Everything You Need To Host a Fabulous Kentucky Derby Party
Saddle up for your best Kentucky Derby yet with this foolproof party guide!
Get inspired by these Kentucky Derby party ideas for drinks, food, activities, and even a festive bluegrass playlist. Read on for everything you need to celebrate the 'Run for the Roses' in style!
Photography: Emily Loving, Creative Direction and Styling: Robyn Roberts
The Kentucky Derby takes place at Churchill Downs in Louisville, Kentucky, on the first Saturday of May. It’s the most exciting two minutes of sports—and one of America's most anticipated theme parties!
The good news is: you don't have to be into horse racing to get into the spirit of the day (if you love bourbon and fancy hats, you'll have a blast!) Whether planning an afternoon with friends or a weekend-long celebration, these Kentucky Derby party ideas will help you throw a memorable event. Start getting your invite list together because we're off to the races!
Party invitations
Nothing excites your guests more about your party's theme than getting a festive invite! You can go old-school and send printed invites, but I actually prefer to send them digitally... all the better to be able to add the info to your Google calendar seamlessly, get directions, and even check out who else is attending.
My source for all my party invites is Paperless Post-- they have some free or inexpensive Derby day party invites that will set the perfect tone, and they're all fully customizable. As a host, you can track who has opened their invite and even send reminders easily, which is all so helpful for managing your guest list.
The official drink of the Derby: Classic Mint Julep
The julep is a classic cocktail defined as combing a spirit of your choice + a flower or herb + sugar. The julep as we know it today is made of bourbon, sugar, and fresh mint-- but, fun fact: according to cocktail historian David Wondrich, the original julep was made with violets and brandy! So, don't necessarily feel limited to bourbon and mint if that's not what you like; I encourage you to have fun playing with all kinds of flavor combinations. If you're not a fan of brown spirits, there's nothing wrong with offering a version made with vodka, rum, or other spirits from your home bar.
If you do want to keep it classic, here's what you need to know about bourbon:
Bourbon is in the whiskey family, which means it's made from fermented and distilled grains, and bourbon must be made primarily from corn.
Bourbon must be legally made in the United States, and although 95% of it is made in Kentucky, that's not a requirement.
The bourbon must be aged in a new, charred oak barrel
Typical bourbon tasting notes: toasted sweet caramel, brown sugar, vanilla, cinnamon, and baked apples
Not sure about juleps? Here are some more inspirations: Best Bourbon Cocktails for Summer
Pro tip: skip the liquor store and get your bourbon delivered straight to your door via Drizly! Here are some brands I recommend:
Recipe: Sparkling Pineapple Mint Julep
There are ways to tweak mint julep recipes to make them more unique. My signature julep recipe adds a couple of special ingredients: firstly, fruit! I love the freshness and tang that pineapple adds to a cocktail, and it combines really nicely with mint. Instead of using fresh pineapple and then adding sugar or simple syrup, I used pineapple preserves to save a step--- besides already being sweetened, the fruit quality is more concentrated, and the preserves give a wonderful texture to the drink. Then, I topped the cocktail with sparkling wine because why not?
Sparkling Pineapple Mint Julep
Ingredients
- 1 T. pineapple preserves
- 7 mint leaves, plus more for garnish
- 2 oz. Bourbon
- 4 oz. sparkling wine, chilled (American sparkling wine like 14 Hands Brut, Prosecco, or Cava all work well)
- Sliced fresh pineapple, to garnish
Instructions
- In a cocktail shaker, add pineapple preserves and bourbon
- Take mint leaves in the palm of your hand a give a couple firm smacks- this is called 'spanking the mint' and will release the essential oils in the mint leaves
- Add mint leaves to shaker and fill with ice
- Shake vigorously until well chilled
- Transfer contents of shaker into a mason jar, highball glass, or julep cup
- Top with sparkling wine, stirring to combine
- Garnish with a slice of fresh pineapple, a handful of mint on the stem, and a paper straw
The food: Southern-inspired party fare
When you think of Kentucky Derby food, you probably think of Southern classics like hush puppies, pimiento cheese, and deviled eggs. I love to put a fresh, modern spin on the classics and reimagine them as easy finger foods that you can pair with bourbon-- OR wine!
While it's true that bourbon is very traditional for Derby, it's essential to have a good wine selection on hand. The key to being a great host is making sure you provide for all of your guests' needs, and I know a lot of my crew prefer wine (or at least we can't drink bourbon all day long… we might have one julep and then switch to wine after that). I recommend having sparkling, white, and red all on hand-- and of course, don't forget the rosé!
Pickled Shrimp Deviled Eggs (view recipe)
Nobody can resist a deviled egg-- they're the hit of every party. This recipe from Bobby Flay is elevated with the addition of lively, brined shrimp! Pair this with sparkling wine: bright, lively, and crisp, they're a lovely palate cleanser between bites of creamy and luscious deviled eggs. The acidity in the wine can stand up to the tang of pickled shrimp, elevating the standard deviled egg into something much more special and festive.
Peach, Country Ham & Arugula Flatbreads (view recipe)
The contrast of salty country ham, spicy arugula, and the sweetness of fresh peach makes for an irresistible appetizer that's as pretty as it is delicious. Pair with a rosé!
Bourbon Pulled Pork (view recipe) & Pimento Cheese Grits (view recipe)
Why only use bourbon in your juleps when it's also fantastic in marinades and sauces? This pulled pork recipe is sweet, savory, and satisfying-- and spooning the pork over pimento cheese grits in single-serve ramekins makes it a party-ready treat! Pair this with a bold red blend: rich and soft with tons of plum and blackberry flavors, a little cocoa in the finish, and some velvety tannins that give it a nice bit of structure; the richness in the wine is a match for the bold flavors in the dish.
Inside-Out Hot Brown Bites (view recipe)
The Kentucky Hot Brown is a famous dish from the Brown Hotel in Louisville, and it's essentially an open-faced sandwich on white bread with turkey, bacon, tomato, and melty cheese sauce. I turned it into a bite-sized canapé by building them inside phyllo cups! Much lighter and easier to eat while mingling. Pair with a sparkling rosé: because the wine is crisp, light, and fresh, which balances out the richness of the dish, and the tart strawberry flavors of the wine play nicely with the savory cheese and salty bacon.
Ham Biscuits with Chive-Radish Compound Butter and Creole Mustard (view recipe)
Delicate, flaky biscuits filled with ham get a sophisticated twist with spicy radishes and green, herby chives. Aren't they darling, wrapped in parchment and a sweet bow?
Crudite Platter or Charcuterie Board
Every gathering can use more snacks! Veggies will contrast nicely with all the other rich dishes in your spread! Or, learn how to make a charcuterie board.
Encourage a festive dress code
On your invites, encourage your guests to get into the spirit with classic Derby attire! Seersucker and pastel bow ties are fun for the fellas, and fabulous colorful hats are mandatory for the ladies. Vintage and thrift stores are fun places to hunt for creative party looks that look like you stepped straight off Millionaire's Row.
Kentucky Derby party decor
Create a country-chic rustic tablescape with burlap runners, antique lace, vintage photos in charming silver frames, festive banners, mason jars, and lots of bright florals (red roses are entirely in the theme). Kentucky derby decorations like horseshoes or horse cutouts are a playful and whimsical detail. I love these horseshoe cocktail picks for the bar and the appetizer bites!
Don't forget about party favors
If your friends are crafty, create a DIY hat decorating station! Depending on your timeframe and budget, you can instruct guests to bring a plain hat to deck out or provide the hats yourself (thrift stores are a great affordable place to find hats). Source ribbon, silk flowers, feathers, and other fun items from your local craft store; set out some glue guns and let guests create their designs. These one-of-a-kind creations will be great keepsakes for guests to take home.
Raise the stakes & place your bets
The race is a little more fun if you have some money down on your favorite horse to win the race! Let your guests fill out pre-made betting slips, have everyone throw a dollar or five in the pot, and the winner takes all. If you have a yard, lawn games like horseshoes are always fun.
I think this guy looks like a winner, don't you?
Keep the vibes going with the right music
The right playlist keeps the party going long after the race is over. I created a playlist on Spotify for you to grab--- this mix brings Kentucky to the party with bluegrass versions of favorite pop songs & irresistible dance jams to keep the fun going.
