Kentucky Derby Giveaway!
Happy Derby Day, y'all!
We've teamed up with Deanna at Mirabelle Creations to bring you a fun Derby Day Giveaway!
This set of Kentucky Derby Watercolor Prints are the absolute perfect way to show your love for the Commonwealth on Derby Day and throughout the year!
Just enter using the Rafflecopter widget below!
Derby Celebrations for the Entire Family
For the past week or so, we've given you tips about all the special events and observations that make the Kentucky Derby such an incredible and unique event. As we bid you a Happy Derby Day, I want to reflect on my very favorite aspect of Derby: the sense of community that unites Kentuckians, especially Louisvillians.
The Kentucky Derby can be, as the gonzo genius Dr. Thompson wrote, Decadent and Depraved. Of course it can; there's bourbon to drink and bets to be made. Things can get really weird in a hurry.
But, the thing that is so very magical about the Kentucky Derby is that it isn't just a horse race. It isn't merely a day, or a single occasion. It's Louisville's very own two-week Carnival Season. There's something for folks of every age and income bracket, from parades and firework displays and food trucks to galas and private parties.
Ensley O. with the Derby Princesses on the Fillies Float at Pegasus Parade
My favorite part, though, is the way that the youngest residents of the Commonwealth aren't excluded from the festivities.
Heidi P. Walks the runway at the Derby Princess Tea
Throughout Louisville, there are opportunities for kiddos to celebrate Derby. Of course, they can watch the Pegasus Parade, but many local preschools and elementary schools also put on parades of their own. Last year, I even saw some little girls in my neighborhood dressed up in their Sunday best on Derby morning, running a Mocktails stand. (They had non-alcoholic mint juleps and everything, y'all. Cutest. Thing. Ever.)
Madison and her dads watch the Pegasus Parade
Foster K. at a school parade
Eloise and her classmates at a preschool parade
Eloise's sisters Anne-Miriam and Bea take in the parade
Brayden S. gets some tips at the track.
I love that these kiddos get to have fun with Derby week in their own way. If it teaches them a little bit about tradition -- and maybe even the words to our state song -- then that's even better!
Sam C. at Keeneland's Derby Party
Katherine Belle F. in a Derby-themed Lilly dress and a Beaufort Bonnet.
Happy Derby to your entire family from HerKentucky!!!
The HerKentucky Guide to Derby Lunches
Box Lunch options for the Kentucky Derby
All week, we're bringing you tips for how to do the Kentucky Derby like a local. Nothing says "local" like ordering a box lunch for your trip to Oaks or Derby.
A trip to the track is an all-day affair. When you think of a trip to the Derby, of course, you think of sipping mint juleps. From a practical perspective, however, several hours at the track require more provisions than just cocktails. Of course, you can order food and drinks at the track. A lot of folks find it much easier and more economical to order a boxed lunch from one of Louisville's favorite restaurants.
The food guidelines for Churchill Downs allow the following:
- Food items in clear plastic bags (maximum size 18” X 18” - no trash bags)
- “Box” lunches in clear plastic bags or containers (maximum size 18” X 18” - no trash bags)
- Water and soft drinks – plastic bottles only (sealed, clear and unopened)
Here in the Derby City, our favorite restaurants find a way to accommodate most every taste or dietary restriction. You can order from chains like Panera or Chick-fil-a, grocery stores like Whole Foods, or one of our wonderful local spots. The best offerings I've seen have been from Stevens & Stevens Deli, The Cafe, Ghyslain, and Plehn's.
Image via Ghyslain.
If you haven't already, go ahead and call in your order now!
The HerKentucky Guide to Last-Minute Derby Plans
Plan an outfit for Kentucky Derby in under two hours!
This week, we're talking about doing Derby like a local. Trust me when I say that the locals here in Louisville are still making plans for Derby, Oaks, and even Thurby. I've been in so many conversations this week that revolved around last-minute tickets, picking out ensembles, and generally how to put it all together.
If you find yourself with last-minute tickets to the 141st running of the Kentucky Derby or Kentucky Oaks, here's my shopping advice to you: DO NOT try to make an exhaustive search of all the stores in the area. Stick to a couple of your very favorites, places where you know the sizing, the sales associates, and the general look you're going for. I stopped by two of my own favorite stores, The Peppermint Palm and The Prickly Pear, this week and found that there are tons of great options available!
The ladies at the Peppermint Palm styled a couple of outfits that will stand out at the track. Elizabeth was even kind enough to model for us!
I love this green rose print. It's an unexpected interpretation of the classic "Run for the Roses" motif.
Janice Knit Shift Dress in Resort White Heart Breakers at The Peppermint Palm Louisville
This hat is so striking with its perfectly balanced hues. It works well with a white lace dress!
Jaimie Knit Shift Dress at The Peppermint Palm Louisville
The Prickly Pear Boutique has the perfect accessories for your trip to the track. The best part? Many of their accessories are on sale!
The hat selection at The Pear is fantastic!
The Prickly Pear also has a great assortment of ties by Collard Greens and Southern Proper.
I LOVE the mint julep ties!
Spend a few minutes at your favorite stores, and get back to enjoying Derby Week, y'all!
The HerKentucky Guide to Mint Juleps
Gear up for Kentucky Derby 141 with a fresh batch of mint juleps!
Happy Derby Week, y'all! Kentucky Derby 141 is almost here, and HerKentucky has a series of tips that will help you do Derby like a local. Today, we're talking about the Kentucky Derby's signature cocktail, the mint julep!
Mad Men's Betty Draper serves mint juleps.
Mint juleps are one of the most iconic things about the Kentucky Derby. Oddly, they're among the most divisive, too. Some folks find the signature blend of Kentucky bourbon whiskey, simple syrup, and muddled mint to be a refreshing spring cocktail, while others consider it a waste of good bourbon. I love a julep around Derby Day, while my beau cites legendary Louisville newspaperman Henry Watterson's recipe: "Pluck the mint gently from its bed, just as the dew of the evening is about to form upon it ... Prepare the simple syrup and measure out a half-tumbler of whiskey." "Pour the whiskey into a well-frosted silver cup, throw the other ingredients away and drink the whiskey."
Whether you love or hate the drink, it's pretty much a rule that you have to know how to make a mint julep if you're entertaining folks around Derby time.
The first thing you need to do is decide on a julep cup. A silver julep cup is, of course, the traditional way to go. I recently had a chance to talk to Matt Burnett of Wakefield-Scearce Galleries. For Matt, the julep cup is, quite literally, the family business. His grandfather, Mark Scearce, was a jeweler turned silversmith who was originally drawn to julep cup design while buying up coin silver during the World War II silver shortage. Over the years, Mr. Scearce developed a unique design that incorporates an English-style watermark and a seal denoting the current U.S. President. Silver julep cups are stunning, of course, but I asked Matt whether it was a lot of work to constantly polish a set. "Not if you use them often!" was his quick response. "Frequent use keeps them shiny!"
Antique coin-silver julep cups at Wakefield-Scearce.
Stoneware julep cups from Louisville Stoneware are another fantastic option. These gorgeous cups are a colorful and unique way to keep your julep cold, yet staying comfortable to the touch.
When it comes to bourbon, I always advise people to stick to what they personally like to drink. After all, a mint julep is just like any other cocktail, and comes down to personally preference. Of course, you should keep that within reason; it's a travesty to mix 23-year Pappy Van Winkle with anything. Woodford Reserve or Maker's Mark are always good. Old Forester makes for a delicious cocktail. (That's what the track is using this year!)
Another consideration is your mint -- most recipes call for Kentucky Colonel. This year, I picked up a Chocolate Mint varietal as well; can't wait to see how the flavors vary!
Of course, you can get as fancy or as simple with your sugar for the simple syrup as you like. I use demerara sugar for a little more complex flavor.
Classic Mint Julep Recipe
- 2 cups sugar
- 2 cups water
- Sprigs of fresh mint
- Crushed ice
- Kentucky Bourbon Whiskey (your favorite brand is the best!)
Make a simple syrup by boiling sugar and water together for five minutes. Cool and place in a covered container with six or eight sprigs of fresh mint, then refrigerate overnight. Make one julep at a time by filling a julep cup with crushed ice, adding one tablespoon mint syrup and two ounces of Kentucky bourbon. Stir rapidly with a spoon to frost the outside of the cup. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
Have a great Derby Week! Cheers, y'all!
The History of Kentucky Derby Hats
Why we wear hats to the Kentucky Derby.
Did you ever wonder why we wear elaborate hats to the Kentucky Derby? Well, the history of the Kentucky Derby goes back to the Derby Stakes in Britain, known here in the States as the Epsom Derby. The Epsom Derby was first run in 1780 and is the highest-purse horse race in Britain.
Derby Day, a 1952 film set at the Epsom Derby. It looks like the heroine needs a mint julep, no?
Voltigeur, winner of the 1850 Epsom Derby.
In 1873, Meriwether Lewis Clark Jr. visited Europe, taking in the Epsom Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp. He returned home to Louisville and organized the race now known as the Kentucky Derby, looking toward these races for inspiration for track design, race length and other details. When the Kentucky Derby began in 1875, Kentucky ladies wore their finest to the races, just as their British counterparts did. Of course, in those days, finery included a chapeau, and the tradition stuck.
Kentucky Derby 1938. via The Huffington Post.
Queen Elizabeth and the Duke of Edinburgh at Epsom in 1948. via The Daily Mail.
If you think about it, we still kind of look to the Brits for millinery fashion. Around the time Princesses Eugenie and Beatrice and Duchess Kate began wearing fascinators and small, snug-fitting hats to weddings and races, we started to see those styles around the track in Louisville as well.
Prince William, Prince Harry, and Duchess Kate at the 2011 Epsom Derby. via Getty Images. I was really just looking for an excuse to post this photo of Harry, obvs.
Here's to Derby style and gorgeous chapeaux! Happy Derby week, y'all!
Country Ham Balls
Besides bourbon, Kentucky has a great country ham scene, and why not highlight it with this delicious recipe? Not only is it easy and delicious, the meatballs can be made ahead of time then baked when you need them!
country ham balls
Inside showing the country ham and pork sausage!
country ham balls
adapted from Sterling Bits
makes 24-36 balls (depending on how you roll them)
2 pounds local country ham, diced into 1/4 inch pieces
2 pounds local pork sausage
1 1/2 cup bread crumbs
2 local eggs, beaten
2 cups brown sugar
1 1/2 tablespoon mustard
1 cup white wine vinegar
- Mix country ham, sausage, bread crumbs, and eggs together until well combined.
- Roll out meat mixture to golf-ball sized meat balls. At this point, the meatballs can be cooked or frozen for future use.
- When ready to bake, preheat oven to 350.
- Meanwhile, combine brown sugar, mustard, and vinegar in a pot. Boil until rolling and allow to boil for 2 minutes.
- Place meatballs in a 9x13 casserole dish and pour hot sauce over meatballs.
- Bake for 20 minutes, turning balls at least once, or until done.
- Serve.
Jennifer is the chef behind a girl eats world; head over for more Kentucky Proud recipes!