Kentucky Derby is one of my favorite times to break out that big hat and a pretty floral dress. So what’s better than to host a Kentucky Derby Garden party?

For the food, I like to stick with the classic- Kentucky Benedictine Tea Sandwiches (with a Texas Twist) and Pimento Cheese Toast! Don’t forget the Mint Julep Cocktails- today we made Limeade Mint Juleps. Yum!

Limeade Mint Julep

Ingredients
1 container of frozen lemonade concentrate
2 limes – squeezed ( about 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup of loosely packed mint leaves
Sparkling water
Ice Cubes
Bourbon (Optional)
Mint leaves for Garnish

In a blender add frozen lemonade, mint leaves, and lime juice. In your mint julep cup, add ice and one shot of bourbon (optional). Add two tablespoon of the limeade concentrate and fill the rest of the cup with sparkling water. Taste, if you want the cocktail sweeter, add more limeade. Once you have the cocktail to your liking, garnish with mint leaves and straw. Enjoy!

Let’s talk grub, shall we?

So I am a cheese lover (as if you didn’t know that already). I also enjoy tea time. These sandwiches are a twist to the traditional Kentucky Benedictine Sandwiches (which in the South we call Cucumber sandwiches).

The Southern Ladies Benedictine Sandwich

Ingredients
White Bread
Boursin Cheese, soften
Smoked Salmon
Sliced Cucumber
Sliced Radishes
Cilantro (Garnish)
Green Onions (Garnish)

With a decorative cookie cutter, cut white bread. Place Boursin cheese in a small bowl, allow to get room temperature or soften in microwave. Spread Boursin, over the white bread. Top with your favorite toppings like smoked salmon, cucumbers, radishes- Mix it up. Garnish with cilantro and green onions.

Pimento Cheese Y’all! Whether your hosting a Kentucky Derby party, or any! This is a super simple bite sized appetizer to throw together. It’s just two simple ingredients- Mini toast and Pre-made pimento cheese. You can find the mini toast in the gourmet cheese section at your local grocery store and the pimento cheese. Spread pimento cheese on toast. I used my Breville toaster oven (I have linked below). If you don’t have one, I highly recommend one. It makes cooking smaller items easier than firing up your entire oven. If you don’t have a toaster oven. Broil in oven for 3 minutes. Bon Appetit!

For the florals I wanted to make an arrangement that resembled a trophy cup. I simply put a glass in the center of the silver bucket. Added water to the cup, then the buckets. I added roses along the sides of the buckets then added Pink Alstroemeria to the cup. I love this flower because its provides several blooms for one stem so it makes a great filler. I then finished the look with using golden glory solidago.

For the decor, I kept it simple. I used our new navy stripe table runner from Deck Your Table line coming out in May! I am so excited to have my first line and can’t wait to share it with you all soon! 🙂 I’m all about creating dimensions when it comes to setting up a buffet. You can accomplish this by setting things at different heights and using different textures (marble, wood, paper) etc.. The table needed more natural elements so I went outside and cut some of our fig ivy and scattered it around the setting. Be resourceful and use what you have at your home, or in the backyard to save money!

I hope you got some good tips and you find the recipes to be easy! As always I have linked products below.

Later this week, I will be sharing my very favorite margarita recipe for Cinco De Mayo so stay tuned! 🙂

Until next time,
Whitney Elaine