Kentucky Derby Party Ideas

🌹🐎 Saddle up, Derby fans! It's that time of year again when the gates swing open, the hooves thunder, and the mint juleps are always flowing! I love entertaining at home so I decided to throw a kentucky derby themed party with all the best southern recipes and cocktails you can handle!

The Kentucky Derby is super popular because it's been around for ages and is held at a really cool place called Churchill Downs. It's the first big race in a series called the Triple Crown, and people get excited about it because it's a big deal!

People also love dressing up fancy in their best clothes and crazy hats—it's like a big fashion show!

Plus, it's not just about the race; it's also a chance for friends and families to hang out, have fun, and enjoy yummy food. And when the horses start running, it's incredibly thrilling!

Many people around the world throw Kentucky Derby parties to try to capture a glimpse of the excitement the day holds. I hope you find some inspiration for your party below!

Kentucky derby table with food and banner.

Invitations

Send out elegant invitations. Think traditional horse racing motifs, roses, mint and derby hats. Don't forget to include the dress code on the invite—encourage guests to don their best Derby attire, including big hats and bow ties.

Chalkboard sign at kentucky derby party.

Decor

Set the scene with decorations that transport guests to Churchill Downs.

Think about using checkered tablecloths, arrange bouquets of red roses (the official flower of the Derby), and display horse racing memorabilia. Consider setting up a photo booth with props like jockey hats, horseshoes, and faux winners' garlands for fun photo ops.

Horse balloons are a fun and cheap way to add a bit of derby flair.

Food and Drinks

Serve up Southern-inspired fare and classic Derby delicacies. Think mint juleps (the unofficial drink of the Derby), bourbon cocktails or anything with Kentucky bourbon, sweet tea, and lemonade.

Hom and cheese sliders on a tiered platter.

Hot Ham and Cheese Sliders

These are always a hit. I served them instead of kentucky brown sandwiches which are popular. They can be made in advance and baked off the day of the Derby!

I bought a bag of frozen chicken nuggets and skewered them before being slathered in a sweet BBQ sauce.

Candied Pecans

Pecans are a popular nut down south so why not dazzle them up a bit with some sugar and vanilla?! They are easy to make and are a great snacking food for guests to enjoy before and after their meal.

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Benedictine Spread

This is a popular spread served at the Derby. It's simple to make and great served with crackers and cucumbers!

Recipe:

1 large seedless cucumber peeled and grated
¼ cup medium white onion grated
1- 8 ounce package of cream cheese
¼ cup sour cream or Greek yogurt
1 tablespoon hot sauce
salt to taste
chives for garnishing

Pimento Cheese Sandwiches

These are super easy to make. Every supermarket has a pimento cheese dip/spread available premade. Check the dip area usually on the perimeter of the store. Then all you need to do is spread the cheese onto some white or potato bread, trim the crust and cut. Easy peasy!

Southern Deviled Eggs

This is a simple but delicious deviled egg recipe made with relish. It's a southern thing and fits the theme of the party well!

Imitation Crab Salad Recipe

I love this krab salad! It's fresh, light, and INEXPENSIVE! It uses imitation crab which tastes just like crab but it's about ¼ of the cost. Serve it with butter crackers, pita bread or scoop it in between a potato bun for a faux crab sandwich!

Other Popular Derby Foods

Kentucky hot brown sandwiches
bourbon glazed meatballs
pimento cheese sandwiches
shrimp and grits
derby pie

Mint Julep

A mint julep is refreshing and simple to make. It is often served in copper mugs for a fancy touch.

5-7 fresh mint leaves, torn
2 sugar cubes or 2 teaspoons granulated sugar
2 ½ oz kentucky bourbon
crushed ice

Muddle the mint with the sugar before adding the bourbon and ice. Serve with more mint as a garnish!

Betting and Games

Keep the excitement going with friendly betting pools on the race. Provide betting slips and encourage guests to place their bets on the race favorites. You can also set up horse racing-themed games like horseshoe toss or a derby hat contest for the best hat of the day.

Entertainment

Don't forget to have the race itself playing on a big screen or TV so guests can cheer on their favorite horses. Consider setting up a betting station where guests can place their bets on the race.

And of course, don't forget to play "My Old Kentucky Home" as the horses make their way to the starting gate.

Prizes and Favors

Consider award prizes to guests who pick the winning horse or who have the best Derby attire. Consider giving out Derby-themed favors like mini bottles of bourbon, horseshoe keychains, or engraved mint julep cups as souvenirs of the day.