The Kentucky Derby is just weeks away—the one day a year when it’s perfectly acceptable to wear a hat the size of a small satellite dish, sip bourbon before noon, and cheer on horses with names fancier than most royalty. As we gallop toward the first Saturday in May, I can’t help but get excited about the spectacle, the style, and the cocktails. If you’re planning a Kentucky Derby party, this post is full of perfect crowd-pleasing ideas and the original mint julep recipe!