Kentucky Derby Party Decorations and Food

Everything I love about the Kentucky Derby can be broken down into one of three categories: Food, Decorations and Style. When I lived in Indianapolis I fell in love with the Derby because it was just a short drive down the highway and after attending the Derby in person I was hooked. 

Now that I’m back home in Colorado, hosting a Derby Party is my favorite way to celebrate the fastest two minutes in sports.

Kentucky Derby Party Food & Drinks 

Without bourbon the Kentucky Derby is just another horse race. Ok, probably not but bourbon is one of the things that makes the Derby (and Kentucky) unique. Bourbon is a corn-based barrel-aged whiskey born from water filtered through blue limestone. Aged in charred oak barrels, bourbon has a deep amber color and characteristic taste. 

For our Kentucky Derby party menu we’re whipping up a dishes inspired by both the south and the classic flavors of Kentucky Bourbon. 

Bourbon Pulled Pork Recipe 

• 1 Cup Bourbon
• Pork Butt Roast (4-6 lbs)
• 2 cups bbq sauce (any brand) 
• Pork Rub: 1 Tbs Sea Salt, 1/3 Brown Sugar,  1 tbs Garlic, 1 tbs Ground Pepper

Mix together the pork rub and thoroughly coat the pork. Place into a crock pot on medium. Add bbq sauce and bourbon. Slow cook for 6-8 hours or until pork can be shredded with a fork.  

Cheesy Grits

• • 1 cup grits [Bobs Red Mill]
  • 3 cups chicken broth

• 1 cup cream
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 stick butter 
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp pepper
• 1 tsp garlic powder
• 1/2 cup shredded cheddar cheese

Add the broth, water and cream to a sauce pan. Add butter whisk together with salt, garlic power, and pepper. Once the mixture has come to a boil, mix in grits while whisking. Lower heat and leave to cook for 20 minutes. Stir every few minutes to confirm grits are not sticking. When grits a fully cooked and feel not ‘crunchy’ add the cheese. 

I’m using Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon in my both my cocktails because it’s so mellow and smooth with a spicy nose and hints of caramel it enhances the cocktail rather than over power it.  And notice the roses on the label – a perfect bourbon to enjoy when you are watching the Run for the Roses.  

Mint Julep

• Fresh mint leaves
• Simple Syrup
• Four Roses bourbon

Muddle together 5-6 mint sprigs with sugar cubes. You could also use simple syrup but I prefer the fresh taste of sugar cubes. Add 1 shot of bourbon and fill with ice. Serve in a glass with a mint garnish.

Brown Derby

• Four Roses Bourbon
• Grapefruit Juice
• Honey

Place all ingredients in a shaker full of ice. Shake thoroughly. Strain into a glass and serve garnished with a grapefruit twist.

Bourbon Cupcakes

Cake: 

• Boxed vanilla cake mix
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup oil,
• 3 tbs bourbon

Follow ingredients for standard cake mix and add 3 tbs bourbon to the batter. Cook as directed.

Frosting

• 1 cup room temp butter
• 3 cups sugar
• 1 teaspoon bourbon
• 1 teaspoon maple syrup

Using a stand mixer, combine butter, sugar, bourbon and maple syrup. Frost cupcakes when cool and garnish with bacon crumbles. 

Derby Party Attire 

Part of what makes the Kentucky Derby so much fun is dressing up in your Derby Finest. Even if you are rooting from afar you need to make sure you are in your race track best.

For women I love classic styles and fashions. The Derby is celebrating its 144th year this spring and a vintage sundress is the ideal way to celebrate. One of my favorite brands for vintage styles is Unique Vintage and this year they are celebrating Barbie’s 60th anniversary with amazing styles from throughout the decades. 

If anyone knows how to dress for a party, it’s Barbie. My pick for this years Kentucky Derby Party Celebration is the Rose Coral & White Busy Morning Sundress. Originally released in 1963 I feel like it’s exactly what Barbie would have worn to the Derby! 

Hats are a must have for a Kentucky Derby party and when you are selecting the ideal one for your attire, Tenth Street Hats is the place to look! They are the official hat maker of the Kentucky Derby and have styles perfect for both men and women. 

To go with my dress I selected the Lady’s Secret in Fuchsia. For Derby hats the bigger the better and I love the bold colors and floral decoration of this style. Men aren’t left out of the derby hat fun but their fashions are a bit more subtle. My favorite classic look is the Havana. White with a dark band this hat matches any outfit a derby man can come up with! 

Derby Party Decor & Games 

For decor I wanted to create a theme that would be reminiscent of Churchhill Downs. The Kentucky Derby is also known as the Run for the Roses because at the end of the race the winner is given an enormous rose and boxwood garland. The actual garland at the Derby is made from over 400 roses. For our centerpieces I used silk red roses and artificial boxwood. 

I also wanted to make sure that there were plenty of horses at my Kentucky Derby Party. I used my silhouette portrait to whip together mini derby horses that I used on both cupcake toppers and in my race day bunting.

Each horse was given its own colorful saddle and numbers, just like those worn by the competitors of the actual race. 

You can download all of the files used to make these horses using the links below! 

Free Kentucky Derby Horse Cut File

Free Kentucky Derby Saddle Cut File

Free Kentucky Derby Pennant Cut File 

I used card stock for the horse bodies and saddles but switched over to vinyl for the numbers to make it a bit easier to attach them to the saddles. 

Derby Party Games 

Half the fun of horse races is betting on the winner. At the beginning of the party set up 12 mason jars numbered for each horse in this years race. Offer each guest a single entry as the enter and allow them to place their bets in the jars. If they wish to obtain additional ‘bets’ collect a dollar per guess, with that money going towards a charity of your choice. 

Following the race use the coordinating jar to draw a winner for a small prize. I think a bottle of Four Roses Small Batch Bourbon is the perfect gift for the winner to take home! 

Interested in other party planning inspiration? Check out my Woodland Baby Shower post! 

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