• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Wine a Little, Cook a Lot
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Recipes
  • Videos
  • Subscribe
  • Seasonal Recipes
  • About
  • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Recipes
    • Videos
    • Subscribe
    • Seasonal Recipes
    • About
    • Contact
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Kentucky Derby Party Food Recipes: appetizers, drinks & desserts

    Aug 21, 2019 · by Wine a Little Cook A Lot · This post may contain affiliate links.

    149
    Shares

    A round up of the best Kentucky Derby party food recipes from appetizers to drinks and desserts.  Try an easy mint julep cocktail or decadent mint julep cupcakes!

    A collage of pictures for Kentucky Derby recipes

    Hosting a Kentucky Derby party?  Here's a list of delicious appetizers, drinks and desserts your guests will love.

    These kentucky derby party food recipes have all the essentials like mint juleps, bourbon meatballs and bourbon cheesecake jars! (some can be made-ahead for even easier hosting).

    Even if you're not having a derby party, these recipes are still great for those whiskey lovers out there ;).

    Oh yeah, and don't forget your over-the-top hat to wear while serving your food.  It's not a Kentucky Derby party without those funny hats!

    [smartslider3 slider="2"]

    Kentucky Derby Appetizers:

    Puff Pastry Baked Brie with Fig Jam:

    A wooden cutting board with a baked brie wrapped in puff pastry on top. The baked brie is cut into a wedge and there's melted cheese falling out of the side with pecans. It's topped with a sprig of rosemary and there's a bottle of whisky and jar of fig jam in the background
    PHOTO: Wine a Little Cook a Lot

    An easy, yet impressive appetizer!  Made with a hint of bourbon, bacon and caramelized onion, it’s the perfect party appetizer.  Serve with crackers, apples or pear slices.  

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Maple Bourbon Candied Pecans:

    Candied pecans with bourbon and maple on brown parchment paper.  There's a wooden spoon in the background.
    PHOTO: The Fresh Cooky

    Candied pecans are amazing and these no refined sugar Maple Bourbon Pecans are even better! Sweet maple syrup, smoky bourbon, rich cinnamon, and a little spicy heat makes these roasted pecans outrageously addictive! A delicious sweet-salty mix.

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Mint Julep Quinoa Salad

    A brown bowl with a mint julep quinoa salad. There's slices of fresh peaches, mint leaves and pecans. There's a bunch of mint to the left of the bowl and a mint julep cocktail on the right.
    PHOTO: The Rogue Brussel Sprout

    Not your usual mint julep recipe! This quinoa salad has the flavors of a classic mint julep for a healthy derby appetizer or side dish recipe.

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Spicy Honey Bourbon Wings

    A serving platter piled with spicy honey bourbon wings. There's a side of honey in the background. The wings are on white parchment paper and they're crispy with a sweet and spicy glaze
    PHOTO: Her Plate is Full

    Sweet with the heat and all with that Kentucky bourbon flavor that brings the South to your mouth!  With no frying required, these chicken wings are definitely on the list for an easy crowd pleaser.

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Slow Cooker Whiskey Meatballs:

    A white slowcooker filled with mini meatballs that are glazed with whiskey-BBQ sauce and chopped green onion
    PHOTO: Midwest Foodie

    These slow cooker whiskey meatballs take just 5 minutes to prep for the perfect make-ahead derby appetizer. Everyone will be asking for seconds (and the recipe), so you’ll definitely want to make a double batch!

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Bourbon Brown Sugar Marinade:

    A white platter of steak skewers that have been marinated with bourbon brown sugar marinade.  There's a cob of corn in the background
    PHOTO: Season & Thyme

    This bourbon brown sugar marinade is simple, quick and easy.  Great for steak, chicken or to make skewers with.  Serve them as your main dish or appetizer!

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Kentucky Derby Drink Recipes:

    Brown-Sugar Peach Mint Julep:

    Two copper cups with peach mint julep.  The cups are ice cold and sweating.  There's a fresh peach slices and mint sprig for garnish.  There's fresh sliced peaches and extra mint in the background.
    PHOTO: Burrata and Bubbles

    For a delicious twist on a classic bourbon cocktail, you’ll love this brown sugar-peach mint julep. Made with a homemade dark brown sugar simple syrup and freshly muddled peaches, this summery mint julep is a perfect Kentucky Derby cocktail!

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Classic Mint Julep:

    Two cocktail glasses filled with classic mint juleps.  They're garnished with fresh mint and there's a gray napkin in between the two glasses
    PHOTO: The Chunky Chef

    Perfect for Derby Day or any other warm day, this cool and refreshing mint julep recipe is made with crushed ice, an easy simple syrup, Kentucky bourbon and fresh mint.

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Blackberry-Lemon Mint Julep

    A silver metal cup with blackberry-lemon mint julep.  It's garnished with a lemon peel and fresh mint leaves
    PHOTO: Striped Spatula

    This ice cold Blackberry-Lemon Mint Julep recipe is a fragrant and refreshing twist on a classic. Perfect for sipping on a warm day or for watching the horse races!

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Kentucky Derby Dessert Recipes:

    No Bake Cheesecake Jars with Bourbon Candy Bacon

    A small glass jar filled with no bake cheesecake that's topped with bourbon candied bacon.
    PHOTO: Grab the Mangos

    If you love cheesecake, bacon, bourbon, and of course horses, then you'll love these no bake cheesecake jars with an amazing, salty, sweet, bourbon candy bacon on top.

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Mint Julep Bread Pudding

    A small white dish with a piece of mint julep bread pudding.  It's got a vanilla glaze drizzled on it with a fresh mint leaf.  There's a casserole dish of more bread pudding in the background
    PHOTO: Another Tablespoon

    Mint Julep Bread Pudding has the ingredients we love in the classic cocktail. There is bourbon in the custard base of the pudding. Mint simple syrup and bourbon add lots of flavor to the glaze that goes over it.

    GET THE RECIPE →

    Kentucky Derby Mint Julep Cupcakes

    A mint julep cupcake with a gold cupcake liner and topped with fresh mint leaves.  There's a green and white striped straw, another cupcake and fresh mint leaves in the background
    PHOTO: If You Give a Blonde a Kitchen

    Mint julep cupcakes are the perfect dessert for the Kentucky Derby. Make the recipe using Kentucky Bourbon and crème de menthe liquor for a kick of flavor. The cupcakes taste just like the cocktail! 

    GET THE RECIPE →

    There you have it! A nice little spread of Kentucky Derby part food recipes.

    Appetizers, drinks and desserts for your party menu!

    Even if you're not having a derby party and love whiskey, these recipes are sure to intrigue you ;).

    « Healthy Air Fryer Beef Chimichangas
    Hasselback Peach Caprese Chicken »

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    Primary Sidebar

    HELLO THERE!

    I'm Alyssa, recipe creator & professional spoon licker ;). I started Wine a Little Cook a Lot to share my love of food by creating recipes that are easy, unique, and delicious. You'll find everything from clean & healthy eating to guilty pleasures!

    Read more about me →

    TRENDING NOW

    • Air Fryer Apple fritters with Brown Butter Glaze
    • Stuffed Pork Chops with Spinach & Cheese
    • DIY Infused Whiskey Bourbon
    • Homemade Hot Honey (infused with red chiles)

    LATEST POSTS

    • Instant Pot Beef Barley Soup {Crockpot & Stove Top}
    • Gingerbread Mocha Thumbprint Cookies
    • Holiday Cranberry Bourbon Cider
    • Ground Turkey & Broccoli Noodle Casserole
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    ABOUT

    • About Alyssa
    • Contact
    • Newsletter
    • Privacy & Disclosure

    RECIPES

    • Dinner Recipes
    • Appetizer Recipes
    • Breakfast Recipes
    • Drink Recipes

    KEEP IN TOUCH

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
    • Mail

    Copyright © 2018-2021 Wine a Little Cook a Lot

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.