Rosé Cider Mint Juleps + Kentucky Derby Party Recipes

Everything you need to know for hosting a Kentucky Derby Party, including food ideas, attire and a fabulous recipe for Rosé Cider Mint Juleps.

The Kentucky Derby has always been on my bucket list. At 145 years old, it’s truly part of the fabric of America. The excitement, the fashion, the parties! I thought it would be fun to host a Kentucky Derby viewing party this year to get in on the revelry.

Read on for ideas for hosting your own Kentucky Derby party…

Angry Orchard Rosé Cider

This post has been graciously sponsored by Angry Orchard Hard Cider. Thank you so much for supporting the sponsors that keep me going!

If you’ve never had Rosé Cider, you are in for a treat! Angry Orchard Rosé is made with crisp, juicy and perfectly ripe red flesh apples. This adds a rosy color to the cider while still retaining the apple-forward taste I love about hard cider. The refreshing, dry finish is perfect for a hot day watching the Derby, a picnic with friends or a backyard barbecue. Rosé Cider is great straight from the bottle or mixed into a cocktail, like the Rosé Cider Julep cocktail I’m making for my Derby party this weekend. More on that below…

May is the Start of Rosé Season

The Derby falls on the first weekend in May, which is also a great time to kick off Rosé Season. At the Angry Orchard, the apple trees are in bloom and it’s time to break out the Rosé Cider. The sun is finally out, the school year is winding down and it’s nice enough to sit outside with a cold beverage – now that’s truly something to celebrate!

Win Some Angry Orchard Kentucky Derby Swag!

Angry Orchard partnered with my favorite preppy clothing brand, vineyard vines to create limited-edition swag for the Kentucky Derby! Vineyard vines is the Official Style of the Kentucky Derby so this gear will have you looking great! The charming collection includes bow ties, key chains, tote bags, scarves and more. You can win by participating in the contest on Instagram and Twitter. Just tag a friend on the posts and you’ll be entered to win! There are also chances to win when you watch Angry Orchard’s Instagram Stories.

Rosé Cider Mint Julep Cocktail for a Kentucky Derby Party

A Rosé Cider Mint Julep is the perfect signature cocktail for your Derby party. Traditionally a mint julep has bourbon, sugar-water and mint shaved over crushed ice. This version gets a pink upgrade with Angry Orchard Rosé Cider, plus one of my favorite French liqueurs – crème de cassis. This sweet dark liqueur is made from blackcurrant. You may have enjoyed it in a Kir or Kir Royale cocktail. It’s unique and refreshing while still keeping the traditional bourbon and mint flavors that you would expect with a mint julep.

Kentucky Derby Party Food Ideas

I’m focusing on finger foods for my Kentucky Derby party, for many reasons! Your guests don’t have to juggle plates and utensils and can graze on food to their heart’s content. It also means less dishes at the end to worry about and less waste if you’re using disposable plates and utensils.

Here are some great options that your guests will love:

Prosciutto Wrapped Melon

Salty savory goes perfectly with sweet ripe cantaloupe. This recipe takes just minutes to make and is served with a reduction made from Angry Orchard Rosé Cider! Get the recipe here or find it on Angry Orchard’s new Cider + Food Pairing app to see more ideas.

Maple Bourbon Pecans

The pairing of maple and bourbon is a classic, and definitely a staple in the south.

Ingredients:

• 1 egg white
• 2 cups pecan halves
• 1/3 cup + 2 tablespoons granulated (white) sugar, divided
• 2 tablespoons bourbon
• 2 tablespoons brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

1. Preheat oven to 275° Fahrenheit. Line a baking sheet with foil and spray with non-stick cooking spray.
2. Beat the egg white on medium high-speed until light and foamy. Stir in the pecans.
3. Add the 2 tablespoons granulated sugar, bourbon, brown sugar and maple syrup and stir.
4. Bake for 45 minutes, tossing every 15 minutes to ensure even baking.
5. Remove from oven and let cool until they are safe to handle. Combine 1/3 cup white sugar and cinnamon sugar in a medium bowl. Toss roasted pecans in cinnamon sugar and serve. Will keep in an airtight container for 3-4 days prior to using.

Classic Deviled Eggs

I’m not sure if deviled eggs are truly Derby food, but they are one of my favorite foods and it doesn’t feel like a party without them. My classic deviled eggs recipe always gets rave reviews, or if you’re feeling fancy, try this beet-dyed version.

Benedictine Tea Sandwiches

Benedictine tea sandwiches are a Kentucky classic. Here’s a modernized version that has more flavor and a better texture than many of the traditional recipes. Garnished with colorful vegetables and smoked salmon, these will be an elegant addition to your party menu.

Ingredients:

• 1 cucumber, peeled
• 2 green onions, white and green parts
• ½ cup fresh spinach
• 1 package cream cheese
• 1 tablespoon mayo
• Pinch of kosher salt

Topping Suggestions:

• Thinly sliced cucumber
• Parsley
• Smoked salmon
• Thinly sliced radishes
• Chives
• Asparagus spears

Instructions:

1. Grate three-fourths of the cucumber with a box grater. Place in a fine mesh strainer over a medium bowl. Press the water out of the cucumber with your hands or the back of a wooden spoon.
2. Place the green onions and grated cucumber in a food processor and process until finely chopped. Add spinach and process again. Add cream cheese, mayonnaise and salt and process until smooth.
3. Spread will keep in the fridge in an airtight container for 3-4 days prior to using.
4. To prepare: Cut sliced bread into circular or triangular pieces, about 2 inches in diameter. I used a 2-inch round cookie cutter to do this.  Cover with a thin layer of the cucumber spread all the way to the edges. Add toppings of your choice and serve immediately.

Kentucky Derby Fashion

The Kentucky Derby is all about the fashion! It’s like the American version of the royal wedding. Ladies, look for knee-length cocktail dresses in classic silhouettes and solid colors or floral prints. You can go simple here as it’s obviously it’s all about the hat.

Derby hats and fascinators can truly be works of art. Our party hats are from Deanna Gibbons Millinery. Deanna is located right here in San Francisco and makes each of her hats meticulously by hand. The details in her work is absolutely breathtaking! Look for a milliner near you and invest in a one-of-a-kind work of art.

For men, a blazer is essential with bonus points for a preppy print or seersucker. You can go for matching pants or a solid color that compliments your blazer. A straw or cotton fedora looks sharp and will also keep the sun out of your eyes. Look for a bow tie in a fun print, like this one from the Angry Orchard x vineyard vines collaboration:

There’s a lot more inspiration for what to wear for the Kentucky Derby here.

In Summary :: Kentucky Derby Party Tips

• Keep things simple by picking a signature cocktail, like the Angry Orchard Rosé Cider Mint Julep.
• Have a variety of finger foods for your guests to nibble on without needing plates or flatware.
• A few classic Kentucky Derby Party foods are deviled eggs, benedictine sandwiches and pulled pork.
• Pick a simple dress and splurge on an amazing hat! Look for pastels and fun prints to add your flair.
• Blazers are essential for men, as are pastels and fun prints, and preppy details like bow ties.

Thanks so much for reading! For more Sweet in your life, you can find me on Instagram, Pinterest, and YouTube, or subscribe to receive a weekly email with new posts and musings from me.

This post has been graciously sponsored by Angry Orchard Hard Cider. Thank you so much for supporting the sponsors that keep me going!

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