The 2020 Kentucky Derby will take place on the first Saturday in September.Photo: Courtesy of Louisville Tourism
Earlier this year, because of COVID-19, the 2020 Kentucky Derby was moved to the first Saturday in September instead of May, with the hope that visitors would be able to attend America’s longest continuously held sporting event. Churchill Downs officials were planning to reduce the crowd size to fewer than 23,000 fans with reserved seating only—but on Friday they announced that, due to safety concerns, there won’t be any fans in the stands in Louisville, Ky., this year.
But you can still cheer on your favorite horse and wear a fancy fascinator or seersucker suit on Sept. 5—safely at home. Remember to decorate with roses (since the Derby is referred to as "The Run for the Roses"), place your bets, and serve up some Southern comfort food and cocktails at a virtual party or small gathering. Read on for some classic and updated takes on food and drinks inspired by the Kentucky Derby.
Mint Julep
Louisville Tourism’s online video series, Bourbon & Biscuits, offers plenty of at-home party ideas for cheering on the horses, including this Derby tradition that consists of one ounce of mint simple syrup, two ounces of bourbon, and fresh mint. Pack a julep cup (preferably silver or pewter) with crushed ice. Strain in mint simple syrup and add the bourbon. Grab a bunch of fresh mint and “spank it” between your hands to release the essential oils. Garnish your julep with the mint. How to make mint simple syrup: You’ll need 1 1/2 cups of packed fresh mint leaves, 1 cup sugar, and 1 cup water. Bring water to a boil and add sugar; stir to dissolve. Toss in fresh mint and stir. Allow to cool and infuse the mint flavors before you add to your cocktail.
Photo: Courtesy of Louisville Tourism
Pimento Cheese
This spread is most often served as a sandwich or on crackers, celery, or chips. To make: You’ll need 2 cups grated cheddar cheese, 1 10-ounce tub of whipped cream cheese, 1 4-ounce jar pimentos (chopped), and 1 to 4 tablespoons of Frank’s Hot Sauce (to taste). Mix together cheeses and hot sauce to taste. Gently fold in pimentos.
Photo: Courtesy of Louisville Tourism
Benedictine
For a Derby party, serve pimento cheese and Benedictine finger sandwiches using crustless white bread cut into triangles. To make Benedictine, you’ll need 8 ounces of softened cream cheese, 3 tablespoons cucumber juice, 1 tablespoon onion juice, 1 teaspoon salt, a few grains of cayenne pepper, and 2 drops green food coloring (optional). To get the cucumber juice, peel and grate a cucumber. Then wrap with a clean dish towel and squeeze juice into a dish. Discard pulp. Do the same for the onion. Mix all ingredients with a fork until well blended. Add a couple drops of green food coloring to make it extra festive. This can be served as a dip or finger sandwiches.
Photo: Courtesy of Louisville Tourism
Bourbon Balls
These bite-size sugary treats topped with a whole pecan were created by Ruth Booe of the Rebecca Ruth Candy Co. in 1936 in Frankfort, Ky. Making proper bourbon balls requires two days since you need to refrigerate the filling overnight, so you might want to order them directly from Rebecca Ruth instead.
Photo: Courtesy of Louisville Tourism
Far From ’38
Mixologist Travis Shireman from Taj Louisville created this ice cream cocktail using Four Roses Small Batch bourbon and macadamia brittle ice cream.
Photo: Courtesy of Kentucky Derby Festival
The Perfect Pear
Mixologist Jason Stark of Martini Italian Bistro in Louisville created href="https://cocktails.fourrosesbourbon.com/cocktail/the-perfect-pear">a fruity twist on the iconic Mint Julep, winning the Four Roses Bourbon’s 2020 Rose Julep Cocktail Competition’s People’s Choice award.
Photo: Courtesy of Kentucky Derby Festival
Win, Place, Show Burger
This burger with a spicy aioli served on a pretzel bun by Scott Wisdom was one of the top eight burgers at the ninth annual “Derby Burger Challenge,” sponsored by Kentucky Beef Council and coordinated by the Kentucky Derby Festival. Due to restrictions surrounding COVID-19, the competition was moved completely online, instead of hosting an in-person cook-off.
Photo: Courtesy of Kentucky Derby Festival
Pimento Cheese Bacon Burger with a Spicy Caramel Drizzle
This burger by Timothy Armistead of Sodexo at Bellarmine University in Louisville is sweet, spicy, and extra cheesy.
Photo: Courtesy of Kentucky Derby Festival
The Shade Maker
This year, Bulleit partnered with Chicago-based chef Brian Jupiter to create a series of barbecue food recipes and cocktail pairings for a socially distant viewing party for the Kentucky Derby. The Shade Maker contains Bulleit bourbon, unsweetened coconut milk, pineapple juice, simple syrup, and fresh lemon juice.
Photo: Courtesy of Bulleit
Mint Hibiscus Tea
This pink drink includes Bulleit bourbon, fresh lemon juice, simple syrup, hibiscus tea, and mint leaves.
Photo: Courtesy of Bulleit
Apple Pie Old Fashioned
This sweet take on the classic cocktail contains Bulleit rye, cinnamon syrup, aromatic bitters, and apple blossom bitters.
Photo: Courtesy of Bulleit
Smoked Pork Chops with Rye Apple Jam
This pork dish is topped with Bulleit Rye-infused apple jam.
Photo: Courtesy of Bulleit
The 2020 Kentucky Derby will take place on the first Saturday in September.
Photo: Courtesy of Louisville Tourism
