Kentucky Derby Party Food and Cocktail Ideas

The Kentucky Derby is fast approaching and it’s almost time to place your bets. When you’re planning to host a Kentucky Derby Party, start planning themed party food and cocktails. And don’t forget better start designing your Derby hat now! Prepare to cook sumptuous meals and make mint juleps so when guests arrive you will be able to join in the fun.

This exciting event calls for traditional food and cocktails so we have collected several recipes to get you started!

Kentucky Derby Party Food

There are a few basic recipes you must serve at your Derby party. They are traditional recipes for the Derby and they are delicious!

Kentucky Hot Browns

Here are the ingredients:

4 thick white bread slices

3/4 pound sliced roasted turkey

1 cup (4-oz.) shredded Parmesan cheese

3 plum tomatoes, sliced

8 bacon slices, cooked

Mornay Sauce

How to make a Mornay sauce:

1. Melt butter in a 3-qt. saucepan over medium-high heat.
2. Whisk in flour; cook, whisking constantly, 1 minute.
3. Gradually whisk in milk. Bring to a boil, and cook, whisking constantly, 1 to 2 minutes or until thickened.
4. Whisk in Parmesan cheese, salt, and pepper.

Here's how to prepare it:

1. Preheat broiler with oven rack 6 inches from heat.
2. Place bread slices on a baking sheet and broil 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until toasted.
3. Arrange bread slices in 4 lightly greased broiler-safe individual baking dishes.
4. Top bread with turkey slices.
5. Pour hot Mornay Sauce over turkey.
6. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
7. Broil 6 inches from heat 3 to 4 minutes or until bubbly and lightly browned; remove from oven.
8. Top sandwiches with tomatoes and bacon.
9. Serve immediately.

Country Ham and Biscuits

Here's what you need:

Frozen tea biscuits (such as Mary B's)

Flavored butter and mustard blends

Thin slices of country ham

Here's how to make it:

1. For a Derby Day classic, bake frozen tea biscuits (Mary B's is one of our favorite brands)
2. Fill with thin slices of country ham that have been browned in a hot skillet 1 to 2 minutes on each side.
3. Have guests dress biscuits with flavored butter and mustard blends.

Chocolate-Bourbon Pecan Pie

Here are the ingredients:

1/2 (14.1-ounce) package refrigerated piecrusts

1 1/2 cups chopped toasted pecans

1 cup (6 ounces) semisweet chocolate morsels

1 cup dark corn syrup

1/2 cup granulated sugar

1/2 cup firmly packed light brown sugar

1/4 cup bourbon or water

4 large eggs

1/4 cup butter, melted

2 teaspoons plain white cornmeal

2 teaspoons vanilla extract

1/2 teaspoon table salt

Here's how to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees.
2. Fit piecrust into a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate according to package directions; fold edges under, and crimp.
3. Sprinkle pecans and chocolate evenly onto bottom of piecrust.
4. Stir together corn syrup and next 3 ingredients in a large saucepan, and bring to a boil over medium heat.
5. Cook, stirring constantly, 3 minutes.
6. Remove from heat.
7. Whisk together eggs and next 4 ingredients.
8. Gradually whisk one-fourth of hot corn syrup mixture into egg mixture; add to remaining hot corn syrup mixture, whisking constantly.
9. Pour filling into prepared piecrust.
10. Bake at 325° for 55 minutes or until set; cool pie completely on a wire rack (about one hour).

Kentucky Derby Party Cocktails

Classic Mint Julep

It is traditional refreshment at the Kentucky Derby, this bourbon-based cocktail includes a lively hint of mint.

Here’s what you need:

1 teaspoon sugar

1 – 2 fresh mint leaves

2 ounces bourbon

Crushed ice

Here’s how to mix it:

1. In a cocktail shaker combine sugar and mint leaves.
2. Crush mint with the back of a spoon.
3. Add bourbon and ice cubes.
4. Cover and shake until sugar is dissolved and drink is very cold.
5. Fill an 8-ounce glass with crushed ice.
6. Strain liquid into glass.
7. Garnish with mint sprigs.
8. Makes 1 serving.

Long Island Iced Tea

Here's what you need:

Crushed ice

4 tablespoons sweet-and-sour mix

2 tablespoons vodka

2 tablespoons gin

2 tablespoons orange liqueur

2 tablespoons light rum

2 tablespoons tequila

2 tablespoons sugar-free cola

Lemon slices (if desired)

Here's how to mix the drink:

1. Fill cocktail shaker with crushed ice.
2. Add 4 tablespoons sweet-and-sour mix, 2 tablespoons vodka, 2 tablespoons gin, 2 tablespoons orange liqueur, 2 tablespoons light rum, and 2 tablespoons tequila.
3. Cover with lid, and shake until thoroughly chilled. Strain into 4 chilled small martini glasses.
4. Pour 2 tablespoons sugar-free cola into each glass.
5. Garnish with lemon slices, if desired.

Kentucky Cousin

Here’s what you need:

4 mint leaves, plus 1 mint sprig

3 lemon slices

4 brandied cherries

1/2 ounce Simple Syrup

1 cup ice

2 ounces bourbon

1/2 ounce Cherry Heering or cherry liqueur

1 ounce chilled brewed black tea

1/2 ounce fresh lemon juice

Here's how to mix the drink:

1. In a cocktail shaker, muddle the mint leaves with 2 lemon slices, 3 cherries and the Simple Syrup.
2. Add the ice, bourbon, Cherry Heering, tea and lemon juice.
3. Shake well and pour into a rocks glass.
4. Garnish with the mint sprig and remaining lemon slice and cherry.

Finally, add some fun Kentucky Derby magnetic wine glass charms to identify everyone’s glasses, whether you are serving a mint julep, water or wine. These adorable little cocktail markers make a great hostess gift and can be used all spring and summer. New to magnetic wine charms? Check out our curated collection here.

Start planning your party food and drinks now, the day that everyone is anticipating is almost here!