This weekend is the Kentucky Derby, in case you didn't know, a horse race held annually in Lousville, Kentucky, every May for the last 138 years. There's a few Latinos with horses this year, so what better way to celebrate the festivities than by throwing your very own Kentucky Derby party? We all know that Latinos throw the best parties anyway, so this year instead of serving up some of the usual Kentucky Derby classics, try some of these Latin classics as substitutions instead. They're perfect for all of your festivities this weekend.
Read more ¿Qué más? 3 easy, portable and healthy Latin lunch ideas for kids!
Instead of the Early Times Mint Julep have…

Mojito (recipe courtesy of Taste of Cuba)
Ingredients:
1 teaspoon powdered sugar
Juice from 1 lime (2 ounces)
4 mint leaves
1 sprig of mint
Havana Club white Rum (2 ounces)
2 ounces club soda
Directions:
1. Place the mint leaves into a long mojito glass (often called a "collins" glass) and squeeze the juice from a cut lime over it. You'll want about two ounces of lime juice, so it may not require all of the juice from a single lime.
2. Add the powdered sugar, then gently smash the mint into the lime juice and sugar with a muddler (a long wooden device pictured below, though you can also use the back of a fork or spoon if one isn't available). Add ice (preferably crushed) then add the rum and stir, and top off with the club soda (you can also stir the club soda in as per your taste). Garnish with a mint sprig.
Instead of Becca's Shrimp Dip Divine have…

Colombian-style Shrimp Sevice Cocktail (recipe courtesy of Serious Eats)
Ingredients:
1 pound peeled small shrimp (see note above)
3 tablespoons juice from about 4 limes
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons mayonnaise
2 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil (see note above)
2 tablespoons ketchup
1/4 cup finely minced onion
Hot sauce (such as Tabasco) to taste
1 tablespoon minced fresh parsley leaves (optional)
Freshly ground black pepper
Saltine crackers for serving
Directions:
1. Place shrimp in a small bowl. Add 2 tablespoons lime juice and 1 teaspoon salt and toss to combine. Place in refrigerator and let marinate for 15 minutes.
2. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. In a medium bowl, combine remaining lime juice, mayonnaise, olive oil, ketchup, and onion and stir until homogenous. Add hot sauce to taste and stir to combine. Add parsley and season to taste with salt and black pepper.
3. Drain shrimp and add to pot of boiling water. Cook until just barely cooked through, about 45 seconds. Drain shrimp in sink and place under cold running water until well chilled, about 1 minute. Transfer to a large plate lined with paper towels and carefully dry shrimp. Add shrimp to bowl with sauce and toss to combine. Serve immediately with crackers and extra limes for squeezing.
Instead of Coconut Tiramisu have…

Coconut Flan (recipe courtesy of Goya)
Ingredients:
1 cup sugar
5 eggs
1 cup Cream of Coconut
1 cup Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 can (13.5 oz.) Coconut Milk
1/4 tsp. Vanilla Extract
Directions:
1. Heat oven to 325°F. In a small, heavy saucepan over medium-high heat, bring sugar and ½ cup water to a boil, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Using a wet pastry brush, wipe off any sugar that sticks to the sides of the pan. Cook, without stirring, swirling the pan, until the syrup turns golden brown, about 10 minutes. Carefully pour the hot caramel into eight 4 oz. ramekins; set aside to cool.
2. In a large bowl, using a whisk, beat the eggs until completely combined. Whisk in the cream of coconut, condensed milk, coconut milk and vanilla until smooth. Divide the egg mixture evenly among ramekins.
3. Place ramekins in a shallow baking dish and place in the middle rack of the oven. Pour in enough hot water to come halfway up the sides of the ramekins; cover with aluminum foil. Bake until the Flan is set but still wiggly in the center, 1 hour – 1 hour 15 minutes. Using tongs, carefully remove the ramekins from the water. Transfer to refrigerator to cool completely.
4. When ready to serve, gently run butter knife around edges and invert onto serving plates. Garnish with raspberries and mint leaves, if desired.
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Are you planning to have a Kentucky Derby party with these great Latin foods?