Derby-Worthy Food and Drink Recipes: Watch The Kentucky Derby in Style

 First held in 1875, The Kentucky Derby is the longest continuously-held sporting event in America. 

It’s one of the most prestigious horse races in the world.

The Derby is touted as “the most exciting two minutes in sports,” but everyone knows it’s the day-long Derby Day spirits - cocktails inspired by the rich tradition of Churchill Downs, and the state of Kentucky that gave the world that rare, sweet elixir: bourbon that makes for a memorable event.   

And the Hats!  The glorious chapeaus.

So get those fanciers, bonnets and exotic hats ready and start muddling the mint. 

This year marks the 150th Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs. 

Post time is 6:57 pm ET at  Louisville, Kentucky.  Kentucky Derby All Access will be broadcast by NBC ~ The Peacock network, of course.  

But live coverage and other races start at 2:30 ET.

This year’s purse is a cool $5 million.  

Horses:

I’ll start here because well, it is a horse race! 

That said, I readily admit I usually choose my horse by their moniker and perhaps their colors. This year I’m inclined to root for “Catching Freedom,” “Fierceness,” or “Forever Young.”  

Just because.

For the full listing of the 20 race horse contenders and the odds, see here:

Style

This is the first time I see that the Derby folks have warmed to the idea that Style: Hats and shoes and wardrobe are key to the experience ~ even, or especially, if watching the race from home.  

Me & Bill decked out for Derby

There is now a Style Guide you can refer to. I didn’t find much to inspire here, but Zanna, the guest style editor suggests “Glacial Blue” will be a color trend.

Of course, Roses, as in floral designs, are to be expected for the “Run for the Roses.”  Naturally 🌹

In terms of Hats, she advises “balance.”  As in, “if your hat is big, keep your outfit minimal.”  Nahhh ~ Go big all the way, I say.  It’s all about the fun. 

Food and Drink Menu Options:

For the first time, the Derby has paired up with Gold Belly ~ you can now order Derby Party Kits that include nuts, mixers, and of course, Woodford Reserve Bourbon ~ the Derby’s official bourbon sponsor.

Here are a few favorite Derby Drinks:

Mint Julep

Ingredients

1. Gather mint and muddle in a silver mint julep cup.  I like to break out our copper cups, too. So traditional. 

2. Combine 2 ounces bourbon ~ Woodford, of course, but you can also use Four Roses Bourbon, a local, or Maker's Mark or Jefferson's Bourbon -- a small batch bourbon made by Chef Edward Lee and a friend.  Chef Lee moved from New York to Kentucky originally for the bourbon!  This top chef owns and operates 610 Magnolia restaurant.) I enjoyed his talk at the James Beard House in Gotham when he was just starting his Southern sojourn

            Add .25 ounces Pierre Ferrand

            And .5 ounces of Demerara Syrup or cayenne syrup 

            Add 6 dashes of Fernet Leopold Highland Amaro

Method

Mix all ingredients in a mixing glass and stir well. Strain mixture into the julep cup 

Garnish

Top off with crushed ice and garnish with remaining mint plus a dash of cayenne pepper for some color.

* From Proof on Main, Louisville for Churchill Downs, Kentucky Derby

Another great Derby recipe:

Derby Derby Daiquiri 

Ingredients

Juice of a quarter lime

¾ ounce orange juice

1 bar spoon powdered sugar

2 ounce white rum

Method

Shake well over ice cubes in a shaker, strain into a chilled cocktail glass.

* From Charles Schumann, American Bar 

And from my book, Art of the Garnish, here’s a sure-fire Mint Julep

Smoky Bourbon & Ginger Cocktail

Ingredients

• Artisanal, locally-crafted bourbon or Woodford Reserve: 2 jiggers

• Artisanal or homemade ginger-ale: 3 jiggers

• Simple Syrup infused with smoky lapsoung souchong tea and vanilla bean seeds scraped from vanilla bean.  

Method:

To make a simple syrup use equal parts sugar and water cooked over medium heat until all the sugar is dissolved.  Cool and store in the refrigerator.  Add in any flavoring desired.  

Here, add in 2-3 teaspoons of lapsoung souchong tea - depending on the level of smokiness desired. 

Vanilla simple syrup adds a spicy, woody, mellow fragrance & taste to a drink and complements the vanilla, caramel notes in this bourbon.  

And this year, I started making Magnolia Simple Syrup using the petals from our White Star and Saucer Magnolia trees.  The magnolia gives the drinks a bit of a light, citrusy flavor. 

Mix all the ingredients in the glass, over the packed ice.  Let it set until you see the moisture on the sides of the glass or copper Derby Cup. 

Garnish:

 Candied ginger and homemade or Luxardo maraschino cherries.  

And fresh, just-picked mint from the garden!

Recipe to make your very own Maraschino Cherries:  (from my Art of the Garnish book)

Ingredients:

• A pound of fresh, pitted cherries (when in season) or cans of Oregon or MIchigan sweet cherries.

• Peel of one whole orange, a cup of water, cup of sugar, cup of cherry liqueur,

• Fresh vanilla bean seeds scraped from half a vanilla pod

• 2 teaspoons lemon juice 

• 1 cinnamon stick

• Dash of nutmeg.  

MIx

In a saucepan, combine all the ingredients except the cherries and the liqueur and bring to a boil.  Then reduce the heat.  Add the cherries and simmer for 5 minutes.  Even less time is needed if using canned cherries. Remove from the heat and add the cherry liquor.  Let cool.  Store in an airtight container.

Snacks:

Pair with Smoky Bourbon & Ginger Cocktail - Spicy Maple roasted buttered nuts ~  From Art of the Garnish book:

The maple and spicy nuts are natural partners to the bourbon’s caramel, nutty notes and the smooth spiciness of the candied ginger garnish.  

Ingredients
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon Hungarian Paprika

¼ teaspoon slow roasted chipotle pepper powder

¼ teaspoon Ancho pepper powder

¼ cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon dried ground orange peel
1 pound pecan halves
4 tablespoons unsalted butter
1/4 cup packed light brown sugar
2 tablespoons grated pure cane sugar (found in blocks at most Latino stores)
2 tablespoons water

Method

Line a half sheet pan with parchment paper and set aside.

Mix the salt, cumin, cayenne, cinnamon and orange peel together in a small bowl and set aside.  Roast the nuts - pecans and a few walnuts too, until toasted. Add the butter, then the spices.  Mix well.  Turn out mixture onto the parchment paper and cool. Store in airtight containers.  

You can also pair up the Smoky Bourbon & Ginger cocktail with smoky, hand-crafted bbq jerky for a rich, robust taste.

You can also make a spicier Deviled Eggs with the addition of the Hungarian Paprika.

Or you can swap in pesto or avocado, in place of all mayo, to the yolks for a delicious change.  

Garnish your serving platter with cilantro, parsley or fresh, edible flowers including magnolia or pansies. 

       

Enjoy your Derby Day