Hats, Dresses, And Mint Juleps: Celebrate The Derby In Charlotte

You don't have to go to Kentucky to get a fun Derby experience. While that's a bucket list item for many, myself included (the outfits yes please!) you may not be able to make that happen this year. But that doesn't mean you can't dress up, drink mint juleps, and participate in the fun!

The Young Affiliates of The Mint will host their 33rd Annual Derby Days event on Saturday, May 4th from 3 – 7 p.m. The event will be held on the lawn of Mint Museum Randolph in Charlotte.

You'll find live music, lawn games, Mint Juleps, open wine and beer, food trucks, lawn games, Insta-worthy photo backdrops, a Kentucky Derby raffle, and a large-screen viewing of the Derby. The long-running event has been named the “Best Party for Young Socials” and features more than 300 area young professionals.

And while you're celebrating the 150th running of the Kentucky Derby at the best Derby party in Charlotte you can also participate in contests for "best dressed" and the "best hat".

This event is 21 and up. All money raised at the event will go to fund free tours of The Mint Museum for Charlotte Mecklenburg school students. It's a great event in an even more gorgeous setting that I've loved attending in years past! And who doesn't love a reason to dress up?

Tickets are on sale now here and the code DERBY10 gives $10 off any Derby registration.

The Kentucky Derby is May 6. When the masses descend on Churchill Downs in their finest Derby duds (and hats), they’ll be ordering Mint Juleps like crazy.

Per the Kentucky Derby's official website, "Each year, almost 120,000 Mint Juleps are served over the two-day period of Kentucky Oaks and Kentucky Derby weekend at Churchill Downs Racetrack. That’s a feat that requires more than 10,000 bottles of Old Forester Mint Julep Ready-to-Serve Cocktail, 1,000 pounds of freshly harvested mint and 60,000 pounds of ice."

If you’re hosting a Derby party or are attending one, consider putting a spin on the classic cocktail with one of these five variations. Ingredients and instructions can be found in the videos below. Cheers!

For those that wish their Mint Julep had a touch of citrus, this video on how to make an Orange-Mint Julep is a must-watch.

Love yourself some bubbly? Consider making this Champagne Julep during the Kentucky Derby.

Think of this as a dessert Mint Julep, and who doesn't love dessert?!

Two Southern classics collide in this cocktail. This drink is refreshing just thinking about it!

This Mint Julep variation involves caramelizing a piece of pineapple with overproof rum and brown sugar. Excuse us while we wipe the drool from our mouths!