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    Home » Dessert

    Kentucky Tailgate

    Published: Sep 20, 2012 · Modified: Aug 21, 2023 by thekitchenprep · This post may contain affiliate links ·

    Kentucky Wildcats game day recipes and cocktails! These appetizers, sweet treats & drinks are perfect for an Kentucky Tailgate!

    This post may contain affiliate links, which means that, at no extra cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you click a link and purchase an item I’ve recommended. Thanks for your support in running this blog!

    College game day in Kentucky is surely a sight to behold. A flurry of royal blue and white swirls around campus and tailgate sights as everyone pours drinks and fires up the grill!

    If you're ready to go wild for the Wildcats this football season, then my Kentucky tailgate is just what you need to get prepared! I'm sharing fun facts, ideas for fabulous food and drinks and tailgate essentials that will ensure that your tailgate is one to remember.

    Jump to:
    • Kentucky Football Facts
    • Kentucky Tailgate Food
    • Game Day Essentials
    • More Themed Tailgate Recipes

    Kentucky Football Facts

    • Location: The University of Kentucky is located in Lexington, Kentucky
    • Stadium: Kroger Field
    • Mascot: Blue the Wildcat
    • Team Colors: Royal Blue and White
    • Team Saying or Chant: "Go Big Blue!"
    • Marching Band: The Wildcat Marching Band
    • Fight Song: "On, On, U of K"

    Kentucky Tailgate Food

    Let's talk Kentucky tailgate food. In this state, food traditions run deep and classics area always welcome, no matter the occasion!

    I pulled inspiration from some Derby Day favorites and Kentucky-inspired flavors that are always a "win"!

    Our tailgate menu for an Kentucky game day features:

    • Cocktails: Classic Mint Juleps, Kentucky Buck Cocktail
    • Appetizers: Mini Hot Brown Tarts, Pimento Cheese
    • Desserts: Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies, Blue Velvet Cupcakes
    Kentucky Buck - Sauce Magazine
    Ginger beer, citrus and strawberry syrup come together in the Kentucky Buck cocktail. Just beware, this sweet concoction goes down easy!
    Check out this recipe
    Kentucky Buck - Sauce Magazine
    Classic Mint Juleps
    Mint Juleps aren't just for Derby Day -- they make a refreshing game day cocktail, too!
    Check out this recipe
    Mint Julep in a silver julep cup with a sprig of mint.
    Mini Hot Brown Tarts - Spicy Southern Kitchen
    A more portable, poppable version of the famous open faced sandwich, Mini Hot Brown Tarts make a great game day bite!
    Check out this recipe
    Mini Hot Brown Tarts - Spicy Southern Kitchen
    Pimento Cheese
    A true Southern classic, this easy, cheesy appetizer is perfect for serving up at the tailgate or at just about any occasion on crackers or as the filling for Pimento Cheese Sandwiches!
    Check out this recipe
    Pimento Cheese in a glass serving dish with a silver spreader.
    Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies - Cookies and Cups
    These Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies are soft, buttery, glazed and just like little bites of delicious cake! A tailgate treat that everyone will love.
    Check out this recipe
    Kentucky Butter Cake Cookies - Cookies and Cups
    Blue Velvet Cupcakes - A Monkey on a Cupcake
    Take a bite of the Blue & White with these festive Blue Velvet Cupcakes! A team-themed twist on a favorite cake flavor.
    Check out this recipe

    Game Day Essentials

    If you're looking to show your Wildcat team spirit at the tailgate, you'll want to check out my Kentucky Wildcats shop page, where I've curated some game day essentials that scream "Go Big Blue!"

    If you're starting from scratch and need to build up your tailgate with the basics, my Football Season Tailgate Essentials shop page is a great place to start!

    More Themed Tailgate Recipes

    Looking for more SEC Team-themed tailgate ideas? Search for your favorite team in the rest of my Tailgate Thursday posts:

    • Alabama Crimson Tide
    • Arkansas Razorbacks
    • Auburn Tigers
    • Florida Gators
    • Georgia Bulldogs
    • LSU Tigers
    • Mississippi State Bulldogs
    • Missouri Tigers
    • Ole Miss Rebels
    • South Carolina Gamecocks
    • Tennessee Volunteers
    • Texas A&M Aggies
    • Vanderbilt Commodores

    Don't forget to tag me and the recipe authors and show off your game day tailgate spread!

    More Dessert

    • Blueberry Turnovers on a wooden serving platter.
      Blueberry Turnovers
    • Mississippi State Tailgate
    • Texas A&M Tailgate
    • Mizzou Tailgate

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. recipes with twist says

      September 27, 2012 at 7:24 am

      I feel like eating this type of food.

      Reply
    2. Whitney Howard says

      May 01, 2014 at 4:53 pm

      Never seen your blog before but am a Kentucky girl through and through. Loved it!

      Reply

    Trackbacks

    1. Royals Blog says:
      April 15, 2017 at 5:12 pm

      Kentucky Wildcats 2x8 Tailgate

      [...] ugar and butter together until combined. Add egg and beat until mixture is light [...]

      Reply
    2. Cheers! One special liquid concoction for every SEC fan base – DMB Report says:
      June 30, 2017 at 4:08 pm

      […] to wash away the pain of another home loss with this drink, it’ll be served up as sort of a victory shot: one ounce of Kentucky bourbon (of course), an ounce of Southern Comfort, a few ounces of sour mix, […]

      Reply

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    Hi! I'm Dianna. I used to think cooking had to be complicated to be good, so I never considered it "my thing." Now I know that's far from true, and my mission is to create & share easy, mouthwatering recipes - from weeknight dinners to simple bites for entertaining - that anyone can make! Join me in my South Florida kitchen and let's get cooking!

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    Welcome!

    I'm Dianna and I've been creating & sharing easy recipes with a fresh twist for 14 years!

    More about me

    Popular

    • A large skillet filled with Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta with a yellow and white striped dish towel underneath.
      Creamy Mushroom & Chicken Sausage Florentine Pasta
    • Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup via The Kitchen Prep. An easy and flavorful meal for a cold day!
      Moroccan-Spiced Vegetable Soup with Couscous
    • Irish Cheddar & Cabbage Hash Brown Skillet on a dark green surface with a striped kitchen towel beside it.
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    • A pavlova nest with coconut custard filling sprinkled with coconut flakes and drizzled with chocolate.
      Mini Pavlova Nests

    Seasonal

    • Orange-Avocado Salad
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    • Sausage & Squash Soup in a white mug with ingredients around it.
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    • Vanilla Bean Citrus Bars! A crisp, shortbread crust is topped with a layer of sweet, citrusy filling speckled with fragrant vanilla beans. These are the stuff of potluck dreams!
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