Toast to the Derby

• Roasted Brown-Butter Pecans
• Spring-on-a-Plate Salads
• Assorted Vegetables with Whipped Lemon Aïoli
• Biscuits and Ham with Fig Chutney & Blue Cheese Butter
• Watercress Canapés
• Derby Truffles
• Mint Julep Bar

Recipe: Roasted Brown-Butter Pecans with Rosemary

Make two batches of these salty but slightly sweet pecans if you have a large crowd. You can store them in an airtight container up to 3 days, or freeze up to 1 month.

Recipe: Spring-on-a-Plate Salads

Look for tender, fresh baby greens and microgreens at your local farmers’ market; they should be abundant this time of year. Soaking vegetables in ice water crisps them up.

Recipe: Whipped Lemon Aïoli

Indulgent and lightly flavored, this dip is the perfect partner to colorful spring veggies such as green and purple endive; assorted radishes; and blanched, chilled asparagus and haricots verts (tiny green beans).

Recipe: Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits

Fluffy Cream Cheese Biscuits with Figgy Port Chutney, Blue Cheese Butter, and Ginger Ale-Brown Sugar Smoked Ham make up this delectable Derby sandwich.
Three leavening ingredients—yeast, baking powder, and baking soda—ensure light biscuits every time.

Recipe: Watercress Canapés

Create color with cucumbers, yellow squash, candy-cane beets, salmon caviar, zucchini, herbs, radishes, sprouts, and other fresh finds.

Recipe: Derby Truffles

These make-ahead gems are easy enough for casual get-togethers and fancy enough for special occasions.

Recipe: Derby Julep

Pair your Derby Julep with any of our flavored syrups to make it worthy of your finest pewter.

Recipe: Julian’s Old Fashioned

Julian Van Winkle, president of the legendary Old Rip Van Winkle Distillery in Frankfort, shares his go-to cocktail.