10 Southern Drinks, Dishes, and Desserts For a Grand Kentucky Derby Party

POPSUGAR Photography
POPSUGAR Photography

May 1 kicks off the 141st Kentucky Derby! Watching the horse race is a great excuse to host a party and an even better excuse to enjoy some delicious Southern cuisine. Doesn't drinking a mint julep and nibbling on pimento-cheese-topped biscuits sound like an ideal way to spend a Spring afternoon? If you're ready to take a culinary trip (without the airline ticket), browse the best of our Southern recipes now.

Mint Juleps
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Mint Juleps

In classic Derby style, serve guests a refreshing mint julep made with your Kentucky bourbon of choice.

Carriage House Biscuits
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Carriage House Biscuits

You don't have to make a trip to The Carriage House in Natchez, MS, to enjoy these buttery short biscuits.

Stuffed Mushrooms
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Stuffed Mushrooms

Combine sun-dried tomatoes, pine nuts, and herbs, and you've got one heck of a filling for stuffed mushrooms.

Whiskey Bundt Cake
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Whiskey Bundt Cake

With its butterscotch flavor, we have a feeling this whiskey bundt cake won't last long.

Spinach-Artichoke Dip

No Southern party is complete without spinach-artichoke dip. This one comes together in five minutes!

Peppery Ranch Cheese Ball
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Peppery Ranch Cheese Ball

Every Southern party and occasion calls for an herby cream cheese ball rolled in spices, nuts, or dried fruit.

Lemon Bars
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Lemon Bars

There's something nostalgic and comforting about lemon bars, especially when topped with plenty of powdered sugar.

Pepper Jelly on Cream Cheese
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Pepper Jelly on Cream Cheese

Spread addictive, spicy-sweet pepper jelly and cream cheese on water crackers.

Pimento Cheese and Prosciutto Biscuits
POPSUGAR Photography | Nicole Perry

Pimento Cheese and Prosciutto Biscuits

One bite of these stunning pimento cheese and prosciutto biscuits, and you'll be obsessing over them just like we are.

Bourbon Milk Punch
POPSUGAR Photography | Anna Monette Roberts

Bourbon Milk Punch

This slushy bourbon milk punch is made of exactly what it sounds like — try it for a taste of the true South.