Kentucky Derby Party Recipes for Horses and Hats

Last updated on January 19th, 2020 at 05:35 pm

These Kentucky Derby Party Recipes will make your gathering perfect. These menu and derby party ideas include appetizers, main dishes, sweets, and cocktails to make your celebration complete!

If you like throwing parties, check out these Fall appetizers, Fall cocktails, and Fall desserts to get some menu ideas!

Don your crazy hat and cheer for your favorite horse during your Horses and Hats Party with friends, family, and these delicious dishes.

Derby Day Sweets & Treats

These sweet treats are perfect for drinking with your Mint Julep at your Derby Party. Let’s start with some brownies!

• Derby Day Brownies – The Seasoned Mom
• Derby Pie Brownies – Take Two Tapas
• These Bourbon Peach Pie Pops – Hostess with the Mostess
• Ladies Hat Pinata Cookies – Hungry Happenings
• No Bake Horse Cookies – Savory Experiments
• Derby Week Bourbon Balls – Take Two Tapas

A Derby Party Menu would not be complete without a pie that has bourbon in it!

• Salted Bourbon Chocolate Pie – Champagne Tastes
• Chocolate Bourbon Pie with Pecan Crust – The Road to Honey
• Derby Pie Dip – Take Two Tapas
• Derby Pie Bites – Take Two Tapas

What is a party without cake and cupcakes?

• Glazed Bourbon Pecan Pound Cake – Spends with Pennies
• Mint Julep Cupcakes – Insolence and Wine
• Derby Week Bourbon Balls – Take Two Tapas

Derby Party Appetizers, Starters, and Main Dishes

You can’t go wrong with iconic regional dishes like the Kentucky Hot Brown.  Check out these spins on it!

• Kentucky Hot Brown Dip – Cupcakes and Kale Chips
• Kentucky Hot Brown Casserole – The Seasoned Mom
• Kentucky Hot Brown Sliders – Buy This Cook That
• Kentucky Hot Brown Skillet Dip – Take Two Tapas

No Kentucky theme party is complete without some true Southern specialties like deviled eggs, fried green tomatoes, and grits!

• Benedictine Cheese Ball – Take Two Tapas
• Pimento Cheese Deviled Eggs – A Spicy Perspective
• Southern Cheese Grits – The Vintage Mixer
• Fried Green Tomatoes with Bacon – Italian Bella Vita
• Kentucky Bourbon Corn Casserole – Half Baked Harvest
• Pimento Cheese Straws – Take Two Tapas

Now for some more Kentucky Specialties!  Benedictine Spread is a regional spread from Louisville and Burgoo is a typical fundraising meal for Kentucky and Indiana sort of like a chili cook-off!  I first tried Burgoo and mutton at the Moonlight BBQ in Owensboro.

• Benedictine Tea Sandwiches – Bluegrass Bites
• Baby Hot Browns – Kathy Miller Time
• Kentucky Burgoo – The Spruce
• Southern Sliders – Runaway Chef

Other fun appetizers for your Kentucky Derby Party to round out the collection!

• Sweet Peppers Stuffed with Cheesy Spinach Dip – The Kittchen
• Sweet Pea Crostini – Simply Seasonal

Kentucky Derby Party Cocktails and Drinks

Since the run for the horses wouldn’t be complete without a Mint Julep or an Oaks Lily, let’s talk Derby Day Cocktails!

• Lavender Lemon Bourbon Sour – Champagne Tastes
• Barrel-Aged Bourbon Manhattan – Home and Plate
• Mint Julep Granita – Bluegrass Bites
• Sparkling Mint Julep – Goodie Godmother
• Basil Julep – Culinary Ginger
• Blueberry Basil Julep – Champagne Tastes
• Lemon and Blueberry Punch – Sprinkles and Sprouts
• Pineapple Bourbon Lemonade – Take Two Tapas

Horses and Hats Decorations

I hope you have a great party with all these derby party food ideas!  When you make them while wearing your big hat and bow tie tag me on social media with #TakeTwoTapas and the person’s recipe you make so we can see!!