An ice filled tall glass with sprigs of mint holds a Mint Julep, the drink of the Kentucky Derby. Perfect Kentucky Derby Party Invitations to get friends together to watch the race and enjoy hats, horses, food and friends.
Featured Announcingit invitation: Tall Mint Julep
Shop all Kentucky Derby Invitations
Shop all Invitations
Three lovely ladies are ready for race day with their Kentucky Derby Hats and mint juleps. Perfect for a Kentucky Derby Party Invitations, southern charm invitations, derby themed bridal shower invitations and more.
Featured Announcingit invitation: Derby Day Hats
Shop all Kentucky Derby Invitations
Shop all Invitations
A black and white check border surrounds the silhouette of a horse in a red laurel wreath and finishes with fun fonts and layout for these invitations. Your guests will love these invitations for your Kentucky Derby Party Invitations, horse themed invitations, birthday party invitations and more.
Featured Announcingit invitation: Black Check Horse & Laurel Derby
Shop all Kentucky Derby Invitations
Shop all Invitations
Fresh red roses in a white trophy vase set on a background of gold chains on black, the Vase of Roses on Black Kentucky Derby Party Invitations are perfect way to get your friends together to watch the Derby or use for a Derby themed birthday party or bridal shower.
Featured Announcingit invitation: Vase of Roses on Black
Shop all Kentucky Derby Invitations
Shop all Invitations
A blanket of red roses is presented to the winner of the Kentucky Derby and our Fresh Red Roses Kentucky Derby Party Invitations are an elegant way to invite your guest to enjoy mint juleps, southern fare, and of course, the most exciting two minutes in sports – the Kentucky Derby.
Featured Announcingit invitation: Fresh Red Roses
Shop all Kentucky Derby Invitations
Shop all Invitations
Our Kentucky Derby Trophy Invitation features the solid gold trophy that is annually awarded to the owner of the winning horse since 1924, the 50th Run for the Roses. There are three other trophies given at the Derby – the trainer, jockey and breeder receive a silver half-size replica of the owner’s gold trophy.
Our invitation features the horse shoe facing down which was thought to be bad luck and all the luck would run out. For the 125th Derby trophy, the horse shoe was changed to face upwards and has remained that way since. The handcrafted trophy (horse and rider are from a mold) is 22 inches tall and has a jade base.
Featured Announcingit invitation: Kentucky Derby Trophy
Shop all Kentucky Derby Invitations
Shop all Invitations
Playing horseshoes is a fun activity for your Kentucky Derby party guests. It’s easy, you won’t get dirty, and you can mingle and play at the same time.
Set up an area outside away from the party where non-playing guests won’t walk into a flying horseshoe or get hurt. Pick two teams of two people. You will need four horseshoes and two stakes. The stakes traditionally are placed 40 feet apart. The game is played by players alternating turns tossing horseshoes at stakes in the ground.
There are two ways to score in a game of horseshoes: by throwing “ringers,” or by throwing the horseshoe nearest to the opposite stake. A “ringer” is a thrown horseshoe where the horseshoe completely encircles the stake. The game’s scoring system is where the expression “Close only counts in horseshoes and hand grenades” comes from.
To total your points:
1 Point – The nearest horseshoe to the stake within 6 inches
2 Points – If both of one player’s horseshoes are closer than the opponent’s or a leaner (a leaner is where the horseshoe literally “leans” on the stake)
3 Points – A ringer! (If each player throws a ringer, the ringers cancel and no points are scored)
Most games are played to 21 and the winner must win by two points.
You might also like:
The official drink of the Kentucky Derby is the Mint Julep. If you’re thinking about serving original Mint Juleps at your Kentucky Derby Party, you will need to start them way in advance and whichever recipe you choose, you will need lots and lots and lots of crushed or shaved ice!
The original mint julep takes 4-6 hours for the bourbon-sugar mixture to sit or you can make the quick or really quick versions that don’t require any wait time for the flavors to blend.
Original Mint Julep Recipe
Ingredients:
Preparation:
Combine sugar, water, chopped mint leaves and bourbon in a glass container and stir until the sugar dissolves*. Cover and let stand 4 -6 hours.
To serve:
Strain the bourbon-sugar mixture into a large pitcher and discard the chopped mint. Fill your choice of glass with cracked ice; add bourbon-sugar mixture, and garnish with mint sprigs. *You might want to make extra of the bourbon-sugar mixture so you don’t run out.
Quick Kentucky Derby Mint Juleps Recipe
Makes one mint julep
Ingredients:
Directions:
In a bowl, place several fresh mint sprigs (without stems), 1 tsp. of sugar and 1/4 ounce of water.
Crush the leaves with a spoon or a muddler and stir until sugar dissolves.
Fill a chilled tumbler with crushed ice, fill with choice of Bourbon and top with strained sugar-mint mixture. Or place a bit of the sugar-mint mixture into the chilled glass.
Add a layer of crushed ice. Continue at least one more time, topping with ice, then top off with bourbon.
Garnish with fresh mint sprigs.
Serve and enjoy!
Really, Really Quick Mint Julep Recipe for a Crowd
Ingredients:
Directions:
Combine first three ingredients in a container a little larger than one gallon. Add water to make a gallon. Stir until the sugar is dissolved.
For each drink, fill the cup to the brim with cracked or shaved ice. Pour 2 ounces of bourbon over the ice. Pour 2 ounces of the mix over ice. Garnish with a sprig of mint.
You might also like:
The Winning Smiles Invitation is one of our favorite exclusive designs for Kentucky Derby parties and it has been a favorite of our customers too! If you like a little humor added to your party, this invitation is for you and your guests will love it.
Featured Announcingit invitation: Winning Smiles | Shop all Kentucky Derby Invitations | You might also like: Mint Julep Recipes | Non-Alcoholic Mint Julep Recipe | Kentucky Derby Infield Punch | Benedictine Spread (Cucumber Sandwiches) | Kentucky Country Ham Salad Recipe | Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie | Kentucky Derby Party Ideas | How to Play Horseshoes
The twin spires atop the Churchill Downs grandstands are the most recognizable architectural feature of Churchill Downs race track built in 1895. The steeples are used as a symbol of the track and the Kentucky Derby. Our Churchill Downs Steeple Kentucky Derby Invitations are an elegant way to invite your guest to enjoy southern fare, libations and of course, the most exciting two minutes in sports at your Kentucky Derby party.
Featured Announcingit invitation: Churchill Steeple
Shop all Kentucky Derby Invitations
Shop all Invitations
Menu