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    Home » Blog » Party Time » Party Themes

    10 Easy Kentucky Derby Party Ideas

    Published: May 1, 2017 · Modified: Aug 30, 2021 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    Looking for Kentucky Derby Party ideas? From mix your own mint julep bars to easy southern themed appetizer recipes, everything you need to host the best Kentucky Derby Party is right here.

    10 hostess hacks: the easiest Kentucky Derby Party Ideas ever

    Are you a Kentucky Derby fan? I have always been intrigued by all the traditions that surround this annual spring event--the amazing hats, the decorations, the parties, the mint juleps.

    A friend of mine that lives in Kentucky made a funny comment about how you can't possibly claim to be a "glue gun expert" until you've lived in Louisville during Derby season.

    She's been spending hours crafting unique hats for her and her adorable girls to wear to countless Derby parties over the course of the Derby.

    With all that action, I can imagine that by the time the actual party day arrives, a Kentucky Derby hostess is looking for all the shortcuts she can get.

    These tips are perfect for hosting a last-minute Derby party no matter where you are or for any southern-themed festivities all year round!

    Jump to:
    • What is a Kentucky Derby Party?
    • How to Decorate for a Derby Party
    • How to Set Up a Mint Julep Bar
    • 4 Amazing Mint Julep Flavors
    • Easy Kentucky Derby Party Menu
    • 💬 Comments

    What is a Kentucky Derby Party?

    A Kentucky Derby party is a gathering to celebrate the annual Kentucky Derby horse race which is held on the first Saturday in May.

    The Derby is a cultural event known for traditional southern cuisine, signature cocktails, and festive attire.

    Party guests often participate in betting pools and watch the race together but even without that, it is a fantastic excuse to get your friends together for some fun.

    How to Decorate for a Derby Party

    If you want to make your Kentucky Derby party look more festive and feel more Derby-themed, there are several fun options even on a smaller budget:

    1. Use Fine China or Polished Silver Platters

    Now is the time to bring out the good stuff! For this elegant event, even if you're just hosting at home, use the prettiest platters you've got.

    No wedding china? No problem, you can find plenty of options on Facebook marketplace or a local antiques shop on even the smallest budget.

    The perfect china to use for a Derby party? Try searching for Royal Albert Old Country Roses!

    2. Decorate with Roses

    The Kentucky Derby is also known as the "Run for the Roses" because the winning horse is draped in a garland of red roses.

    Incorporating roses into your party decor, such as with floral arrangements or garlands or the china I just mentioned above, can help create a beautiful and authentic look.

    3. Use Traditional Kentucky Derby Colors

    The official colors of the Kentucky Derby are black, white, and gold.

    Using these colors in your party decor, such as with balloons, streamers, or tablecloths, can help create a memorable and festive look.

    4. Display Horseshoes

    Horseshoes are a classic symbol of horse racing and can be used as a decorative element for your party.

    You can find horseshoe-shaped decorations or even use these horseshoes as place card holders or table centerpieces.

    5. Display Horse Racing Memorabilia

    If you or your guests are fans of horse racing, consider displaying horse racing memorabilia such as old tickets, programs, or photos of past Kentucky Derby winners.

    How to Set Up a Mint Julep Bar

    10 hostess hacks: the easiest Kentucky Derby Party Ideas ever

    The hero of the event! You can't have a Kentucky Derby party without a mint julep! Blasphemy!

    But mint and bourbon straight up may not be everyone's cup of tea.

    How much more fun would it be to set up a "Mix Your Own" bar with 4 flavor combos?!

    Since moving to the south, Handyman Tim has taken to learning more about the local bourbons. For me, a traditional mint julep is just way too strong. I spent some time playing around on the awesome cocktail recipe resource over at Master of Mixes to find some ideas.

    Then I selected a handful of their fruity cocktail mixers to create blends that would be more appealing to the bourbon lovers like my husband but could be lightened up a bit for the ladies in the crowd.

    4 Amazing Mint Julep Flavors

    1. Blood Orange Mint Julep: My absolute favorite one! I think I found my summer drink.
    2. Pineapple Twist Mint Julep: Tim's favorite.
    3. Sweet Strawberry Mint Julep: I enjoyed this one tremendously but it was far too sweet for Tim.
    4. Southern Peach Mint Julep: I couldn't host a southern party without trying a peach twist. Though it was tasty, I'd sip all day long on that Blood Orange one instead.
    10 hostess hacks: the easiest Kentucky Derby Party Ideas ever

    Master of Mixes has an amazing Mint Syrup that is the base of all 4 recipes. To that you add 2 ounces of your preferred fruit mixer and top with a pour of bourbon.

    For a mint julep with a more authentic (strong!) ratio:

    2 oz fruit mix + .5 oz mint syrup + 2 oz bourbon + ice

    For a mint julep with a lighter more refreshing (girlie!) taste:

    2 oz fruit mix + .5 oz mint syrup + .75 oz bourbon + ice

    I set out bottles of Master of Mixes' Blood Orange Margarita Mixer, Mai Tai Mixer (for the pineapple version), Strawberry Margarita Mixer, and Peach Margarita Mixer alongside the mint syrup and a bottle of bourbon. You can find each of the tasty Master of Mixes mixers right here.

    Letting your guests mix their own allows them to make them as light or strong as they want and everyone can have fun sampling the different flavors. It would be so fun to have a taste test vote at the end to see which one was most popular!

    Though the Master of Mixes mint syrup gives the mint julep all the minty flavor it needs, I set out some fresh mint for garnish along with fresh strawberries and cut up pineapple.

    10 hostess hacks: the easiest Kentucky Derby Party Ideas ever

    Easy Kentucky Derby Party Menu

    When you're planning out your Derby party menu, keep your focus on simple southern recipes to keep with your party theme.

    I've gathered together my very favorite Kentucky Derby appetizers and Kentucky Derby desserts for you to add to the menu alongside the mint julep bar mentioned above.

    • A photo collage shows a peach pizza on top, sausage swirls, beef crostini, and pimento cheese on bottom.
      17 Easy Kentucky Derby Appetizers
    • A photo collage shows peach cobbler, pecan pie bars, strawberry sauce, and lemon meringue pie.
      18 Kentucky Derby Desserts: The South's Best

    That said, some of the easiest party foods can be even picked up at your local grocery store and presented in minutes on your pretty platters for the party.

    Some of my favorites include:

    Cheese Straws

    This classic spicy southern munchie can be bought right in the cracker aisle of most gourmet grocery stores. They are the perfect savory complement to a sweet cocktail.

    Sweet and Spicy Nut Mix

    The south is known for peanuts and pecans. Look for a fancy nut mix like the sweet and spicy one I found at our grocery store. Otherwise, you could easily make up a batch of these spiced pecans long before the party starts. They keep well for weeks.

    10 hostess hacks: the easiest Kentucky Derby Party Ideas ever

    Pimiento Cheese with Crackers

    This was definitely an acquired taste for me when we moved to the south but now I love pimiento cheese, especially on a hamburger.

    If you can't find a prepared carton of it at your grocery store, here is my super easy pimento cheese spread recipe to mix together on your own.

    • A bowl of homemade pimento cheese is served on a plate with butter crackers.
      Homemade Pimento Cheese Spread

    Skewer a Cheese Cube Plus Grape

    For the guests who may shy away from the Pimiento cheese option, pull together a simple but fancy finger food.

    Just grab a container of cheese cubes from the store and skewer them up with a red or green grape.

    10 hostess hacks: the easiest Kentucky Derby Party Ideas ever

    Baked Sweet Potato Fries with Dipping Sauces

    Grab a bag of fancy sweet potato fries from the freezer section and then go browsing in the condiments aisle for 2 or 3 dips to go with it. Maybe a Southern BBQ sauce and a bottle of spicy mayo? YUM.

    Roast Beef & Horseradish Crostini

    This easy prep-ahead roast beef crostini appetizer recipe is always a huge hit.

    Swing by the deli aisle and get some freshly carved roast beef sliced thick. Skewer it up with a dollop of prepared horseradish sauce and chopped fresh cherry tomatoes and serve on a simple crostini bread.

    • A plate of roast beef crostini with horseradish cream and cherry tomatoes.
      Roast Beef Crostini

    Peach Pizza

    Make a gourmet pizza with the South's favorite fruit with one of the five delicious variations in this peach pizza recipe. Then cut the pizza into smaller squares as an appetizer. If you use a homemade pizza dough, you could roll it out to a square shaped pizza that would make it even easier to cut.

    • A homemade peach pizza has been sliced and served.
      Fresh Peach Pizza with Pancetta

    Pulled Pork on Hawaiian Roll

    Pulled pork is a southern staple. Grab a container of prepared bbq pork from the refrigerator section of your store and serve it up slider-style on a mini Hawaiian bun. Bonus points if you take the time to set out some fresh coleslaw to go with it.

    Easy Strawberry Shortcakes

    Grab a container of whipped cream, fresh strawberries, and store bought biscuits. Set out the fixin's for your guests to make their own mini strawberry shortcakes. No one can resist this sweet ending.

    Pecan Pie Bars

    I found amazing prepared pecan bars in our grocery store bakery department. Buy just a few of the big ones but then cut them up petit four style (bite-sized) and place on a pretty platter to help stretch them further.

    If you have the time, making a batch of homemade pecan bars is super easy and lets you cut them to just the right size.

    • A stack of shortbread pecan pie bars on a cake plate for serving.
      Shortbread Pecan Pie Bars

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    1. Rita

      April 04, 2021 at 12:47 am

      These are great tips for any party & especially. Derby week. Thanks fir sharing.
      I did miss some form of Hot Browns. Also, Benedictine is a must have and about as easy as it gets.

      Reply
    2. Sally E Companion

      April 22, 2019 at 7:57 am

      I'm an event planner for my office + 200 employees. I usually do Cinco de Mayo for them but have been considering Derby Day. These posts really make it difficult to decide which to do.

      Reply

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

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