Plan the ultimate Kentucky Derby party with this menu, featuring dozens of traditional southern appetizers, bourbon-soaked desserts and boozy cocktails. Read on for more than 50 delicious Kentucky Derby party food and drink recipes.
Put on your fanciest hat and grab a mint julep! The Kentucky Derby, which kicks off the race for the Triple Crown, is the perfect excuse to throw a party.
In honor of race day and the Run for the Roses, I’ve curated the ultimate collection of Kentucky Derby party food and drink recipes — so many delicious things to serve while watching the horse race.
These appetizer, cocktail and dessert recipes are perfect for the Preakness and the Belmont Stakes, too!
Whether you want to make a classic mint julep, a bourbon-soaked chocolate pecan pie, a Kentucky hot brown sandwich, cucumber Benedictine sandwiches or pimento cheese party spread, you’ll find the recipe here.
This collection includes more than 50 delicious snacks, desserts and beverages to serve at a Kentucky Derby party.
You’ll find even more Kentucky Derby cocktail recipes here for a tailgate or viewing party.
Ready for the Kentucky Derby party food & drink recipes? Just keep scrolling or use the table of contents below to skip ahead to a particular section.
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Kentucky Derby Party Appetizers
Fancy finger foods are standard fare at the Churchill Downs on race day, and they’re the pefect choice for a Kentucky Derby party.
When planning your own Kentucky Derby party, you can’t go wrong with finger sandwiches, cocktail meatballs, savory snack mixes and classic southern appetizers like deviled eggs and country ham biscuits.
More Derby Appetizer Recipes
- Kentucky Bourbon Bacon Chex Mix from Betty Crocker
- Spicy Pickled Shrimp from Southern Living
- Pork Tenderloin Sliders from Southern Living
- Kentucky Bourbon Beer Cheese from Kentucky Tourism
- Bourbon Sweet Potatoes from Knead to Cook
If those looked good, keep scrolling for more Kentucky Derby party food and cocktail recipes. Desserts and sweet treats are up next.
Kentucky Derby Desserts Ideas
A slice of Derby pie, made with pecans, chocolate and Kentucky bourbon is the quintessentail dessert to serve for the Kentucky Derby.
Anything bourbon or mint julep flavored is also a good choice for a Derby party. And don’t forget about pecans and roses as you’re planning your dessert course.
These dessert recipes are sure to please horse racing fans.
🥃 Kentucky Derby Cocktails
It’s not a party without cocktails. Keep reading for bourbon cocktails and more sips to serve alongside all this delicious Kentucky Derby party food.
Includes recipes for a traditional mint julep, the official drink of the Kentucky Derby, as well as numerous variations.
You’ll also find plenty of bourbon cocktails, refreshing spiked lemonade recipes and even dessert cocktails to serve at a Kentucky Derby party.
Be sure to check out even more Kentucky Derby cocktail recipes here.
Mint Julep Cocktail Recipes
Try these other versions of the classic Kentucky Derby libation, including juleps made with lemonade, sweet tea, peaches, blackberry, pineapple and watermelon.
- Mint Julep Lemonade from Hot Beauty Health
- Ginger Mint Julep with Fresh Pineapple from The Kitchn
- Sweet Tea Mint Juleps from Spicy Southern Kitchen
- Blackberry Mint Julep from Miss in the Kitchen
- Cherry Lime Mint Julep from Cooks with Cocktails
- Peach Julep from Broma Bakery
- Sparkling Mint Julep from The Kitchen is My Playground
- Frozen Mint Julep from She Wears Many Hats
- Mint Julep Milkshake from Food Network
- Spicy Pineapple Mint Julep from Just Putzing Around the Kitchen
- Grapefruit Mint Julep from Cooks with Cocktails
- Fresh Watermelon Mint Julep from How Sweet It Is
Derby Party Essentials
Shop for Derby Day party essentials, including julep cups, fancy hats, decor and more.
Laura Hall
Not sure how I actually see the recipes for Kentucky Derby ?
Atta Girl Amy
Just click on the links to be taken to the recipes.