Spring Entertaining
Southern Socials
The Essential Kentucky Derby Entertaining Primer
Kentucky Derby socials are lovely occasions & some of the most lavish the South has to offer. From a collection of classic recipes to carefully curated attire, the fine details should never be excluded. A perfect menu & doning your Sunday Best should be reserved for these ceremonious soirees– including a string of pearls either around the neck or wrist. However, the most important accessory that a lady should never overlook when it comes to personal style, even in this day & age, is a striking hat. It is one of the key ingredients that differentiates this gathering from all others & pays homage to a culture rich in heritage & roots.
When it comes to party fare, curating a distinctive menu that celebrates the past but also provides a few modern updates will keep the festivities relevant. Be certain to drop by daily for valuable pointers, tasteful recipes & entertaining advice that will help make it your most memorable Kentucky Derby gathering to date. Learn how to make classics such as beaten biscuits filled with country ham & the iconic mint julep. Arrange stunning flowers in minutes using some of your most beloved heirloom silver with blooms snipped straight out of your own yard. Create an effortless dessert that can be can be prepared well in advance & use it as a focal point on a stylishly set table. A few last minute garnishing pointers will have it looking lush & beautiful just before guests arrive. Learn the secrets to planning & hosting a grand party with refreshing ideas that honor the past.
FROM THE SOUTHERN HOSTESS OF BUTTERMILK LIPSTICK
{helpful advice}
How To Host A Kentucky Derby Party
Many entertaining tasks must be taken care of early in order for any event to run smoothly. Begin planning your table & the menu well in advance, then create a timeline. Kentucky Derby parties should showcase several traditional recipes & entertaining essentials but adding a few signature touches are certainly welcome. Balance is all that is necessary to create a lasting impression.
The Essential Kentucky Derby Entertaining Primer
Kentucky Derby socials need not be complicated however it is an occasion where your best china, glassware & special entertaining pieces should be shared with guests. Follow these pointers to plan a ritzy occasion.
No. 1
The Tabletop Style
Heirloom silver at every turn should be a thread throughout any Kentucky Derby soiree. From flatware to bar essentials, these beautiful pieces should be visible, polished & celebrated. A foundation of white plates & fresh green linens blend beautifully with almost any color & bring the outdoors inside flawlessly by highlighting the fresh mint that will be used to prepare cocktails. Although your fine china pattern is certainly appropriate, a simple set of white plates & accent pieces may be used throughout the table for a simplified look as well as provide a fresh, modern feel. Integrate the signature flower of the Kentucky Derby throughout the entertaining space & pay homage to the garland of roses. The historic satin blanket is handcrafted with hundreds of red roses. It is an honor bestowed upon the victorious horse featuring a crown in the center with a solitary rose pointing upwards adorned with fern fronds that symbolizes the sacrifice & dedication it takes to reach the coveted winners circle.
No. 2
The Beverage
Although it is appropriate to offer a selection of beverages to guests from iced tea to lemonade with the option to infuse a little bourbon of course, classic mint juleps served in heirloom silver cups should always be offered as the signature cocktail when hosting Kentucky Derby parties. To remove tarnish quickly & effectively from the cups, my two step method will tidy them just so for a beautiful finish. Take care of this procedure in the next several days to keep your party timeline on schedule. Once complete, be certain to wrap them in a cloth or place them in plastic bags to keep them shiny until it’s time to set up the bar. You’ll need a classic mint julep recipe in order to fill them. The most authentic cocktails are prepared one at a time & directly in the silver cups in which they will be served.
How To Make A Traditional Mint Julep
Muddle 5 or 6 mint leaves with 2 teaspoons of granulated sugar in the bottom of a mint julep cup. Add crushed ice filling the cup 3/4 full. Top with 2 ounces of Kentucky bourbon & stir the cocktail. Garnish with a fresh sprig of mint.
No. 3
The Provisions
Once the menu has been set, pull plates, platters & bowls for serving. Label the pieces with the foods that will be reserved for them & set them aside.
The Savory
Prepare as much of the food ahead of time as possible. Biscuits can be baked in advance then filled with country ham the day of the gathering. Chutneys & jams can be made up to 3 days beforehand so that transferring them into serving bowls is all that is necessary come party time.
The Sweet
Many baked goods can be prepared in advance. Look to Spring Entertaining: Strawberry Shortcake Derby Hat that may be prepared by making one recipe of pound cake to showcase for these lovely gatherings. Bake specialty cake layers up to two weeks in advance. Wrap them well in plastic & foil then freeze them. Remove the layers from the freezer an hour before you wish to finish them & reserve time for garnishing the cake the day of the party.
The Tune
“All Or Nothing At All” Billie Holiday
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Be sweet.
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