Derby Hats, 2022

Anyone who knows me, knows that I am not a big sports fan. I will occasionally watch a figure skating or gymnastics or diving routine during the Olympics; I'll even sometimes hang around for a couple of plays of a high-stakes championship game like the Superbowl or the World Series. But more than about 5 minutes' worth and I lose interest. Which makes the Kentucky Derby - which has been called "the most exciting two minutes in sports" - the perfect sporting event for me. 

What makes it even more perfect for me is its grand tradition of hat-wearing. Anyone who knows me also knows that I am a big hat fan. And a small hat fan. And a fascinator fan. And...well, you get the picture. So although this year's Derby race was exciting even by my standards, the fashions in the stands were even more exciting. 

In case you missed them, here are some of the marvelous hats I spied on Derby Day!

This black-and-white hat uses a modified kettle brim hat as its base - a true kettle brim turns up all the way around, not just at the back as this hat does. I love the ornate curled feathers combined with the loops of tulle. 

This amazing hat goes for size in all dimensions! From its oversized, floppy brim to its enormous rosette, to its explosion of white feathers and eucalyptus sprays, everything about this hat is deliciously overdone. 

I love the visual balance that this hat achieves by offsetting the asymmetrical broad brim with a pair of fabulously long dyed pheasant tail plumes, as well as the interesting textures in the rosette, ribbons, and feathers setting on the hat brim. 

Simple but charming, this flat-brimmed hat uses bold polka dots and a few delicate splashes of red to catch the viewer's eye. 

Fascinators have grown both more popular and larger at the Derby over the last few years. This one uses a ruffled cobalt blue organza base that matches the wearer's dress, then adds matching small feathers and contrasting vivid yellow lilies and a huge yellow ostrich plume. 

This relatively simple hat base features an asymmetrical brim and a wide deep coral ribbon with bow, then explodes into white calla lilies and peacock feathers to add both height and whimsy. 

This attendee opted to decorate her hat with kitchen accoutrements in addition to a few peonies: a grater, utensils, an oven mitt, apples, and spices. I'm not sure what she was planning on making, but I'd like some!

Another oversized fascinator that opted for height, these huge red flowers are topped with a few feather tips on curved wires.

This much smaller fascinator combined a scarlet lily with a few tufts of white feathers and a few long sprays of white forsythia.

An elegantly side-tipped fascinator, this lovely hat uses a soft orange flat base and adds orange and hot pink silk flowers to both sides of the upper portion. Another hat that was perfectly color-coordinated with its wearer's outfit. 

Bigger is better with this lovely wide-brimmed, slightly asymmetrical paint blue linen hat with blush pink edging, topped with hugely-oversized slightly deeper pink lily petals and cobalt blue peacock feathers, plus a few whimsical twisted pink "stems" just for fun. 

The small black base of this fascinator blends into the wearer's dark hair to make it look like a flock of brightly colored butterflies has just landed on her head!

I love the shape of the brim of this gigantic hat, which dips down to allow more room for its giant pale pink rosette and mauve and yellow narrow curled feathers. 

This cocktail hat (which differs from a fascinator only in that its base is the shape of a traditional hat, although both are clipped to the hair or to a headband) looks like a large fern inside a blue planter, echoing the colors of the wearer's ombre dress. 

I love the subtle variations of shades of purple and blue in this large fascinator made from tulle and feathers. 

Although this fascinator looks light as air, its long feathers and tulle ruffles swoop high and away from the wearer's face like birds!

This classic take on a fascinator includes a large rosette, a single upright feather, and a charming birdcage veil. 

This lovely light turquoise hat's brim was so large that the milliner pinned it back with a giant deep blue hydrangea, then filled the top with artful swoops of tulle and a tall ostrich feather. 

This small ice-blue fascinator filled its space with a large flower base and an umbra of curls of ribbon and feather tips.

I was - appropriately enough - fascinated with the shape of the base of this fascinator. It looked like a giant pink Pringle topped with ribbons, flowers, and feathers instead of onion dip.

Simple and elegant, this giant pink Audrey Hepburn style hat was topped with a cluster of thin feathers that looped back toward the brim.

This tall fascinator combined a Carnevale-esque color scheme of feathers with a large jeweled brooch.

Another fascinator with a fascinating structure, the triple-teardrop-shaped base and orange curl extended to the side reminded me of Chihuly glass sculptures. 

The huge rosette on the brim of this hat was so oversized that the wearer barely fit in the photograph! But it was nicely balanced with some smaller (but still huge!) flowers on the opposite side. 

Lest we forget about the men, the most whimsical hats of all were worn by men, including this white fedora which featured a whole array of horses racing around the brim and a champion perched on top!

This man's hat wasn't even really a hat, just a stuffed horse's head, complete with purple silks and a pair of peacock feather tips. The jockey goggles' were a nice touch, too.

This man needed to use his hand to help support his hat, which was an impressive model of Churchill Downs. 

This gentleman combined a traditional top hat with a large horse figurine (who, by the way, is wearing an elegant top hat itself), a cardinal, and a few red roses, which match the color of his elaborately styled and dyed beard. 

This attendee put safety first by using a hard hat painted with a horse racing scene as a base, and topping it with a wreath of roses and a pair of (spinning!!) horses. 

I don't know about you, but these people inspire me to up my hat game for next year's Derby!

More Derby Day Cocktails

It's Kentucky Derby Day, and we all know what that means: Great hats and mint juleps! I love hats, and I love mint juleps, but sometimes I like to celebrate with something different. So once again, I am providing you with a list of alternative cocktails, inspired by some of the horses who are running the Derby this year.

Donegal (Mo Donegal)

The base of a Donegal cocktail is, not surprisingly, blended Irish whiskey. Combine 1-1/2 oz whiskey, 1/2 oz cherry liqueur, 1/4 oz orange liqueur, and 1-1/4 oz white vermouth in a shaker over ice. Strain into a chilled coupe glass and garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Panama Jack (Happy Jack)

There is a "cocktail" called a Happy Jack, but it is simply a shot of Apfelkorn. The Derby deserves a true mixed drink, so instead of a Happy Jack, I'm recommending a Panama Jack. Fill a tall glass with ice and stir together 2 parts each coconut rum, orange juice, and pineapple juice, and 1 part banana liqueur. Garnish with an orange or pineapple wedge or a cherry. 

Tremblement de Terre (Epicenter)

The Tremblement de Terre (literally, "shaking of the earth," i.e., earthquake) cocktail is as elegant as the Kentucky Derby itself. In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 2-1/4 oz. cognac with 1/4 oz absinthe; shake and strain into a chilled cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of lemon.

Heatwave (Summer Is Tomorrow)

I'd love for a heatwave to arrive and prove that summer is tomorrow. Here's a refreshing tropical cocktail to celebrate both the horse and the idea that Summer is Tomorrow: In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 1-1/4 oz coconut rum, 1/2 oz peach schnapps, 3 oz pineapple juice, and 3 oz orange juice. Shake and strain into a hurricane glass with ice, then top with 1/2 oz grenadine and garnish with a peach wedge. 

Happy Smile (Smile Happy)

The Happy Smile cocktail is as simple and cheery as a happy smile itself. In a shaker of ice, combine 3 oz apricot brandy, 2 oz orange juice, and a dash of orange bitters. Shake vigorously, strain into a cocktail glass, and top with 5 oz champagne. Garnish with an orange slice. 

Guard's Cocktail (Messier)

The French word "messier" refers to a type of guard, so Messier's cocktail is the Guard's Cocktail. In a cocktail shaker over ice, combine 2 parts gin and 1 part sweet vermouth with a 2 dashes of curacao, shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a wedge or twist of lemon. 

Crown Cranberry (Crown Pride)

Naturally, Crown Pride's cocktail incorporates Crown Royal whiskey (but feel free to use whatever whiskey you prefer). In a cocktail glass with ice, combine equal parts ginger ale, cranberry juice, and whiskey. Garnish with a sprig of mint and a few fresh cranberries.

Charging Station (Charge It)

You'll definitely get a charge from this coffee-based cocktail. In a shaker of crushed ice, combine 2 oz vodka, 3/4 oz sweetened coconut cream, 3/4 oz strong brewed coffee, and 2 dashes of firewater bitters (you can make your own from this recipe!). Shake hard until the ice is nearly dissolved, then pour into a Collins glass, add additional crushed or pebble ice, and garnish with cinnamon. 

Whiskey Bomb (Tiz the Bomb)

Technically this recipe calls for "gomme syrup," which is simple syrup combined with gum arabic to thicken it and provide a silkier mouth feel, but simple syrup will work perfectly well. Combine 2 oz Scotch, 1 oz simple syrup, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a highball or martini glass.

Sweet Memories (Zandon)

I have no idea where the name Zandon came from or what its significance is, so I looked up his pedigree and found that his dam was named Memories Prevail, so this cocktail is in her honor. In a shaker of ice, combine equal parts light rum, dry vermouth, and orange curacao. Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. 

Funky Cold Medina (Pioneer of Medina)

Southern Comfort is a whiskey liqueur with flavor of fruit and spice. You could substitute plain whiskey, but you'd miss some of the subtle flavors. Fill a large glass with ice and combine equal parts vodka, Southern Comfort, and blue curaco and still well, then top with a splash of cranberry juice and garnish with a kiwi wheel. 

Irish Gun Runner (Taiba)

Another horse whose name did not help in choosing a cocktail, this choice is in honor of Taiba's sire, Gun Runner. In a large coffee mug, combine 1/2 shot each Irish Cream, Irish whiskey, and Grand Marnier, then fill with freshly brewed coffee. Stir, then stop with whipped cream. 

Simplified Daiquiri (Simplification)

Although a "true" daiquiri is not that complicated, this recipe claims to be a simplification of the original. Simply combine 2 oz rum with 3/4 oz lime cordial (or Rose's sweetened lime juice), shake over ice and strain into a coupe glass. 

Devil's Haircut (Barber Road)

The addition of muddled peppercorns gives this drink a bit of a kick! Muddle 3 or 4 black peppercorns in the bottom of a cocktail shaker, then add ice and 2 o gin, 1/2 oz simple syrup, 1/2 oz lemon juice, 1/2 oz orange curacao, and 1 oz grapefruit juice. Shake hard and strain into a cocktail glass. Garnish with an edible flower, if desired. 

White Lady (White Abarrio)

Although White Abarrio is a colt, I don't think he'll mind being represented by a drink as timeless and classic as the White Lady. In a cocktail shaker WITHOUT ICE, combine 2 parts gin, 1 part triple sec, scant 1 part lemon juice, and half an egg white and shake for about 20 seconds to emulsify the egg white. Add ice to the shaker and shake until well chilled, then strain into a cocktail glass and garnish with a twist of lemon. If you want to omit the egg white, there is no need to shake without ice first. 

Bowie Knife (Cyberknife)

I love any cocktail that adds carbonation, whether it's from sparkling wine or something in the tonic/seltzer family. In a shaker of ice, combine 1 oz gin, 1 oz lemon juice, and 1/2 oz simple syrup. Shake well and strain into a Collins glass with ice. Top with sparkling brut rose and garnish with a twist of lemon. 

Causeway (Classic Causeway)

I found a number of variations of the Causeway Cocktail, but the simplest version seemed like the most classic. In a highball glass with ice, combine 2 oz Irish whiskey, 1 oz Drambuie, 1/4 oz lemon juice, 4 dashes angostura bitters, and 2 dashes orange bitters. Stir to combine, then top with ginger ale. Garnish with a sprig of mint, if desired. 

Port and Tonic (Tawny Port)

Port and tonic is classier, more colorful sibling of the G&T. Fill a glass with ice and add 1 part port to 2 parts tonic, then garnish with an orange wedge or twist and a sprig of mint. 

Cox's Daiquiri (Zozos)

Instead of looking to his pedigree, I looked to Zozos' trainer's name, Brad Cox, for inspiration on this cocktail. In a shaker of ice, combine 1-1/2 oz vanilla rum, 2/3 oz pineapple juice, 1/3 oz lime juice, and 1/3 oz vanilla syrup (or simple syrup with a dash of vanilla extract). Shake and strain into a cocktail glass. 

Ethereal (Ethereal Road)

This spring cocktail seems especially appropriate for a spring horse race. In a shaker over ice, combine 1-1/2 oz gin, 1 oz simple syrup, 3/4 oz lemon juice, and 2-3 dashes of angostura bitters. Pour into a highball glass with ice and garnish with a lemon slice or twist. 

So choose your cocktail according to your favorite horse, or choose your horse according to your favorite cocktail, but be sure to put on your favorite hat while you're sipping your cocktail and cheering on your horse!