The Kentucky Derby may be “the fastest two minutes in sports,” but your celebration should last all evening. Whether you’re cheering from Churchill Downs or your own backyard, a Derby party is the perfect excuse to dress up, sip bourbon, and entertain with a Southern twist. Here’s how we’re doing it—with flair, flavor, and florals.
Set the Scene: The Playlist & the Petals
Before the race, set the mood with this on-theme playlist—a perfect mix of Southern charm and pre-race anticipation. Trust us, you’ll want tunes rolling well before “My Old Kentucky Home” plays and after the roses are won.
To bring the spirit of the Derby into your space, we’re filling our Lettuce Leaf Vase with roses (of course) and scattering them along the buffet and bar. Add a few horse show ribbons for extra charm.
Drink of the Day: Mint Juleps, Always
There’s only one choice when it comes to cocktails on Derby Day: the mint julep. We’re big bourbon fans, so this classic is a must. We batch ours and serve it in Starry Night Rocks Glasses to show off the vibrant green of fresh mint leaves.
Pro tip: Prep your juleps early, chill them in the fridge, and pull them out just before post time.
Derby Day Dress Code
If you’re hosting, go big—this is not the time to be subtle. We’re wearing this dress and finding the biggest hat we can get our hands on. Bright colors, bold prints, and dramatic brims are highly encouraged.
A Southern-Inspired Menu
Let’s talk food. The Derby is short, so your snacks should be easy, shareable, and full of Southern flair:
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Deviled Eggs (our favorite recipe is from Kelsey Barnard Clark)
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Pimento Cheese & Crackers (see our go-to recipe below)
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Pigs in a Blanket (store-bought, no shame)
We’re serving everything in style:
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Pimento cheese in our Starry Night Small Bowl
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Crackers in the Olive Wood Cracker Boat
- Mint Juleps in our Starry Night Rocks
Pimento Cheese Recipe
Ingredients:
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2 cups sharp cheddar cheese, shredded
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1/2 cup mayonnaise
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1 (4 oz) jar pimentos, drained and diced
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1/4 tsp garlic powder
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1/4 tsp cayenne pepper (optional)
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Salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
Mix all ingredients in a Starry Night Bowl. Chill for at least 30 minutes. Serve with your favorite crackers (we love butter rounds or rustic wheat).
30-Minute Countdown Checklist
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Pour mint juleps into your Starry Glasses
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Set out drinkware, including your Starry Night Wine
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Spoon pimento cheese into the bowl and refrigerate
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Bake pigs-in-a-blanket
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Place crackers in the Cracker Boat
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Arrange deviled eggs & pigs
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Arrange roses in Lettuce Leaf Vase and scatter ribbons
So pull on your hat, raise your glass, and enjoy the Derby in true Southern style. May the best horse win!
