Kentucky Derby Party Food Recipes: appetizers, drinks & desserts

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!

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.

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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.

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Mint Julep Quinoa Salad

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.

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Spicy Honey Bourbon Wings

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.

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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!

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Bourbon Brown Sugar Marinade:

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!

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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!

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Classic Mint Julep:

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.

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Blackberry-Lemon Mint Julep

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!

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