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How to throw a Kentucky Derby Party – Dappered Classics

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The 2012 Kentucky Derby – Sat. May 5th, 4pm – 7pm ET

Originally Published 5/2/11 – Above Photo Credit Bob Oroshi

Sometimes a reason is all you need.  The Kentucky Derby provides plenty of reason to get on some good clothes, get together with your friends, while one short event anchors it all.  It’s the New Year’s Eve of the spring.  It’s a three hour broadcast you can ignore all of except for two minutes towards the end.   Consider a few of these suggestions:

1. The Dress Code?   Big hats (of course) and dresses for the ladies.  Lighter summery stuff for the gents…
2. …Even if it’s going to be cold where you live.  Now’s the time for that summer suit & suede shoes if you’ve got em’.
3. Party starts with the broadcast.  Have it on with the sound down.  Ignore till race time.
4. Easiest way to get the word out is this Evite template.

5. WAGERING:  Guests will need dollar bills to participate.  Make a row for each horse on a big piece of poster board.  Guests write their own name in the horse’s row they pick to win.  They can pick multiple horses, and write their name multiple times.  Every time they write their name they pay a dollar into the pot.  Each “name” in the winning horse’s row gets a share of the entire pot.  Here’s an example using the 1973 Derby.  Dress your board up with odds/jockeys etc.

6. Print out some info on the horses for people to look over.
7. These are indoor/outdoor parties.  So get your deck/patio/yard cleaned up and ready ahead of time.
8. Food should be light and easy.  You don’t want to be working burgers on your BBQ in seersucker.
9. Guests will want to bring something.  Encourage a light appetizer for the spread.
10. Beer is always good to have on hand, but this event is more about bourbon and cocktails.

11. The Mint Julep:  It’s completely blasphemous, but consider prepping mint infused simple syrup ahead of time.( Okay, you’re right. It’s not worth it. Just be prepared to play bartender…)
12. Have bourbon on hand for sipping.  Now’s not a bad time to try the new Maker’s 46
13. Bookers on the other hand will put hair on your chest.  And start your car if you’re short on gas.
14. Pace yourself.  Water, iced tea, and sweet tea should be on hand.  En masse.  Stay hydrated.  It’s early.
15. About an hour before the race, (which means most are a few juleps in) invite guests outside to play “pin the tail on the thoroughbred.”  Winner gets a good bottle of bourbon.

16. Turn up the TV after the singing of “My Old Kentucky Home.” When the gates open, yell.
.

…
photo credit: superfem

Comments

  1. Booker’s is delicious & the only thing I order when getting a drink in restaurants. The new Maker’s is much cheaper to keep in the cabinet at home though (& is still very good bourbon).

    Thanks for the advice, Joe.

  2. Couple additions: Mint Juleps are best fresh. My Kentucky friends (the purists at least) would scoff at the pre-made syrup. Go with a bourbon slush (bourbon, frozen lemonade, frozen orange juice, tea, sugar, water) for a great pre-made drink. Make the slush ahead of time (and freeze) and just add a little 7-up and a mint garnish when serving. Also grab some Kentucky Bourbon Barrel Ale. Awesome bourbon beer. If it’s not in your area, several other microbrews have created bourbon ales.

    As for the actual bourbon, bartenders at Churchill serve Woodford Reserve. Best Mint Juleps I’ve ever had (and they seemed to get better with each one…).

    Good post, Joe!

  3. You know, I live right down from Louisiana Downs and yet have never been to a horse race. I’ve drunk more than enough bourbon to make up for it, though.

  4. Makers 46?? Come on Joe if you’re going to encourage sipping then spring for some Blantons, Four Roses, or Black Maple Hill, etc!

  5. @Andler I’m surprised to hear that your Kentucky “purist” friends would “scoff” at pre-made syrup. Many of the original Julep recipes call for steeping your mint in advance including the great Booker Noes recipe.  

  6. I’m a huge fan of Maker’s 46.  And when this post fired off a year ago, it had just come out.  Too mainstream for you eh?

  7. It’s certainly not a bad bourbon but personally not on the same level as what I’d consider the next tier of choices.

  8. Blanton’s is great stuff — a cheaper, less well known but equally delicious option is Elmer T Lee — he’s the distiller who makes Blanton’s, but also releases a private label under his own name for half the price.

  12. Kentucky Derby party was all the extra push I needed to spring for this guy this weekend (30% off): http://tinyurl.com/mxqqqvv

    And these guys (also 30% off), though I’m not 100% sure I’m keeping them yet: http://tinyurl.com/mryg2cz

    Thinking lavender shirt and my Frank & Oak equivalent of this tie should do the trick: http://tinyurl.com/l3bur6x

    Debating F&O fedora, but that’s a pretty big commitment: http://tinyurl.com/npwvpn3

    The trick will be pulling it off without looking like I thought about my outfit a week in advance. Also pretending to like horse racing.