Plan around a post time near 7 pm Eastern. Mix the juleps ahead, serve food you made yesterday, decorate in roses and silks, and run a pick-the-winner game.
By the team at A Taste of Kentucky. Updated November 2026.
Make the mint syrup, bake the pie and put the cups in the freezer. If you bought slush mix, freeze it tonight.
Red roses and jockey silks do the work. A printed runner, matching napkins and sturdy cups take about ten minutes.
Put out bourbon balls and hand each guest a pick-the-winner card. Hats are encouraged. A hat contest helps.
The horses walk out to “My Old Kentucky Home.” Pour a fresh round and get everyone in front of the TV.
Nobody talks. Then everybody talks.
The basics from this plan, in one place. Prices are the store’s current starting prices. Add more packs for a bigger crowd.
Two is a safe number for an afternoon party. Offer a no-bourbon mint lemonade too.
Mint syrup, bourbon balls, pie and any cold sides can all be ready the day before.
Only if you want them to. A hat contest gets everyone in the spirit without a dress code.
