Break out the hats and Mint Juleps, time to start planning your Kentucky Derby Party. Churchill Downs® also known as the “Home of the Kentucky Derby®” is located in Louisville, Kentucky. The Derby takes place on the first Saturday of May, and is one of the most prestigious horse races in the world. Due to the length of time of race it is often referred to as the “The Most Exciting Two Minutes in Sports”.
Here is everything you need to plan the perfect party – including what to wear, décor, recipes and entertainment ideas.
Hats
The Kentucky Derby is an opportunity express your Southern Belle. Extravagant hats are a must. It can be said that the event is just as much about the fashion as the racing. You can find a wide assortment of Kentucky Derby hats on Amazon but you can also easily make one yourself. They say the “bigger, the better”. I found a big white floppy hat at Target for less than $10. I attached a ribbon and hot glued some big faux flowers that I picked up at Joann’s. You could also attach feathers and textured material such as netting or tulle. Don’t be afraid to get creative. In less than an hour and for under $25 you can have the perfect hat.
Décor
For place settings, I found Kentucky Derby fabric at Joann’s which I made into napkins. I also purchased Horseshoes on Amazon. I sprayed them with a light coat of gold paint and put one at each setting with a calligraphy place card and a rustic flower.
I love the look of Coupe Cocktail Glasses which I filled with a 14 Hands Rosé to match the Run the Roses theme.
I used a wooden planter box which I filled with flowers from our local Farmer’s Market. I also included some Kentucky Derby Pennants which I purchased on Etsy from Paperie Off the Park. I spray painted some little jockey figures and scattered them on the table.
Drinks
The Mint Julep is the quintessential drink of the Kentucky Derby. A tradition dating back nearly a century, the Mint Julep has been the popular beverage at Churchill Downs for years. According to kentuckyderby.com over 120,000 Mint Juleps are served each year over the Oaks and Derby days.
Another popular Derby Drink is an Oaks Lily. I asked Lauren of CreatifDesigns4You to create a sign listing these two signature cocktails to serve at our event.
Below are the recipes for each of these drinks.
Mint Julep Recipe
15 mint leaves, plus a sprig for garnish.
2 teaspoons superfine sugar
1 ounce tonic water
2 cups crushed ice
3 ounces Kentucky bourbon whiskey
In a julep cup, stir together the tonic water and sugar until dissolved. Add mint leaves and using a glass muddler or back of a large spoon, gently press leaves into sugar syrup until slightly darkened but not completely crushed. Add bourbon, then fill cup with crushed ice and using stir spoon, stir. Tuck mint springs into top of cup and insert short straw.
Oaks Lily Recipe
1 oz. Vodka
1 oz. Sweet and Sour Mix
3 oz. Cranberry Juice
Splash of Triple Sec
Crushed Ice
Add all ingredients to cocktail shaker and shake, pour into glass and add blackberry garnish.
Food
For food I served little horseshoe skewers of cantaloupe, mozzarella and cherry tomatoes.
Other favorite Kentucky Derby Party foods include Pickled Shrimp, Deviled Eggs, Cheesy Grits and Hogs in a Blanket.
For dessert I made a simple white cake with a horseshoe topper made by Blacksmith Creations and some roses and sprig of mint. I used a simple white cake recipe with buttercream frosting. I love to add a filling of raspberry jam in between the cake layers.
I also had some horseshoe sugar cookies which were made by my friend, Laura Land at ShopCookieCouture.
And because I absolutely love Mint Juleps, I made Mint Julep Brownies-yum!
- 1 cup butter
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 2 cups sugar
- 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
- 4 large eggs
- 1 1/2 cups flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons bourbon
- 4 ounces unsweetened chocolate
- 1 stick butter
- 3 cups confectioners’ sugar
- 5 tablespoons milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
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Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
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Place 2 sticks butter and chocolate in a saucepan. Heat over low heat, stirring frequently, until both butter and chocolate are melted. Set aside and let cool.
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Combine sugar and mint in a food processor and pulse until mint is finely chopped and mixed into the sugar.
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Place eggs and mint sugar in a large bowl and whisk together well.
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Gradually whisk in chocolate butter mixture.
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Whisk in flour, salt, and bourbon.
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Pour into a lightly greased 9X13-inch pan. Bake 25 minutes. Let cool before frosting.
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To make frosting, melt chocolate in a small, heavy bottomed saucepan over low heat. Let cool for 5-10 minutes.
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Using an electric mixer, beat butter and sugar together. Add 5 tablespoons milk and beat, stopping to scrape down the sides, until smooth.
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With mixer on low, slowly add chocolate and then beat on medium until mixed well.
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Mix in vanilla extract and salt and add an extra tablespoon of milk if frosting is too thick.
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Spread frosting on brownies.
Entertainment
For those party guests that have a favorite horse that want to wager on the winners, I placed a tray with Betting Cards also made by Paperie Off the Park. You can go to kentuckyderby.com to get the names of the horses running in the Derby.
Horseshoes and corn hole are both excellent, easy-to-set-up activities for older kids and adults.
Another option is to have a Hat Contest. Put out a ballot box so guests can vote on their favorite hat. Reward the winner with a trophy of roses.
You could also show Racing Movie such as Seabiscuit in the background.
It is always nice to send the guests off with a small favor. I filled mini mint julep cups with Jim Beam Kentucky Bourbon nip bottles, a sprig of mint and a straw.
I hope you enjoy the great southern tradition on the first Saturday in May. Run for the Roses!
In memory of my beloved horse Montana.
Party Photography by: S.Wolfe Photography
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