Kentucky Derby: Traditions & Culture

How to incorporate time-honored traditions into a Derby Party

By Yelena Jenkins

....Aaand they're off!....Aaand they're off!

The Kentucky Derby is more than just a race -- it's an annual society event. Since the first Derby in 1875, the race has become steeped in traditions ranging from specific food and drink to proper Derby attire. Though the traditions are many, there are a few basic rules that every Derby reveler should be familiar with. Read on to discover what they are and how you can use them in your own Kentucky Derby party.

 

Attire
A fabulous race-day chapeauA fabulous race-day chapeau

The Kentucky Derby has become as much of a fashion show as it is a horse race. Society women are known for wearing their finest dresses paired with oversized, elaborate hats (often referred to as chapeaus). Women order their hats months ahead of time to beat the Derby-rush and guarantee first-dibs on the best chapeaus.

While the society ladies in the grandstand dress their finest, the rowdy infield crowd goes for a different look entirely. The infielders pay $40 for standing room in a tight crowd of casual party-goers. Here you might see some of the more outrageous hats with horses and stables glued to the top.

Attire Party Tips:

  • Throw a hat-themed Kentucky Derby party.
  • Go high-society with chapeaus and dresses or get infield-crazy with do-it-yourself outlandishly themed hats.

Red Roses

The Kentucky Derby is often referred to as the "Run for the Roses" because of the beautiful blanket of roses placed on the winning horse. This tradition began when a New York socialite started handing out red roses to the ladies post-race in 1883. Shortly thereafter, the Churchill Downs founder and president made the red rose the official flower and began draping a wreath of 554 roses on the Derby winner.

Decorative Derby BloomsDecorative Derby Blooms

Honor this tradition by incorporating red roses into your Derby party décor. Visit your 1-800-Flowers.com or your local florist and purchase a few dozen roses. Once you arrive home, cut the stems and place 5-10 roses in low, square glass vases to scatter around the party area.

If you want to go all-out, hire a florist to create a horseshoe-shaped wreath of roses you can hang on your door or use as a centerpiece.

Helpful Sites for a Kentucky Derby Party:

Drink
Ice Cold Mint JulepIce Cold Mint Julep

Regardless of how you choose to celebrate the Kentucky Derby, you have to serve the official drink: Mint Julep. The cocktail consists of bourbon, mint and sugar syrup. Traditionally served in a silver julep cup with a sprig of mint, Derby-goers buy it in a commemorative Kentucky Derby julep glasses.

 

Food

Last but not least, don't forget the food. A traditional Kentucky Derby meal isn't complete without Louisville Hot Browns and a Kentucky Derby Pie.

Delicious Derby PieDelicious Derby Pie

The Hot Brown is an open-faced sandwich of turkey and bacon covered in Mornay sauce, baked until the bread is toasted and the sauce turns brown.

You can either make your own delicious Derby Pie with our recipe below, or cheat a bit by ordering one from the Derby Pie Company.

After you recover from throwing your wildly successful Derby Party, don your biggest sombrero and treat your friends to a Cinco de Mayo bash. Or, take it easy by dusting off your old picnic basket and preparing a feast to enjoy in your local park.

Kentucky Derby Pie Recipe

Ingredients:

  • A single pie crust, which you can make from your favorite crust recipe. To cut down on prep time, buy a pre-made Pillsbury crust, place it in the pie pan and crimp.

Filling:

  • 1/2 cup butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup sugar
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
  • 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans
  • 2 tablespoons Kentucky Bourbon

Preparation:

  • Beat eggs with cooled butter
  • Add flour & sugar.
  • Beat until mixed well.
  • Stir in pecans, chocolate & bourbon.
  • Pour mixture into pie shell.
  • Bake at 350° for about 30 minutes, or until set.
  • Serve warm with whipped cream or vanilla ice cream.

The Legendary Hot Brown Recipe

Ingredients:

  • 4 oz. Butter
  • Flour to make a Roux (about 6 tablespoons)
  • 3 1/2 cups Milk
  • 1 Beaten Egg
  • 6 tablespoons Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • 1 oz. Whipped Cream (optional)
  • Salt and Pepper to Taste
  • Slices of Roast Turkey
  • 8-12 Slices of Toast
  • Extra Parmesan for Topping
  • 8-12 Strips of Fried Bacon

Preparation:

  • Melt butter and add enough flour to make a reasonably thick roux (enough to absorb all of the butter).
  • Add milk and Parmesan cheese, add egg to thicken sauce, but do not allow sauce to boil.
  • Remove from heat. Fold in whipped cream. Add salt and pepper to taste
  • For each Hot Brown, place two slices of toast on a metal (or flameproof) dish. Cover the toast with a liberal amount of turkey.
  • Pour a generous amount of sauce over the turkey and toast and sprinkle with additional Parmesan cheese.
  • Place entire dish under a broiler until the sauce is speckled brown and bubbly.
  • Remove from broiler, cross two pieces of bacon on top, and serve immediately.

Early Times Mint Julep (Official drink of the Kentucky Derby)

Ingredients:

  • 2 cups sugar
  • 2 cups water
  • Sprigs of fresh mint
  • Crushed ice
  • Early Times Kentucky Whisky
  • Silver Julep Cups

Preparation:

  • Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes.
  • Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight.
  • Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Early Times Kentucky Whisky.
  • Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
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