Mint Julep (Flickr: Danielle Scott)

Since 1875, thousands have traveled to Louisville, Kentucky each Spring for “The Fastest Two Minutes in Sports”, more commonly referred to as the Kentucky Derby. For many, the Kentucky Derby is less about the race and more about the deeply rooted southern festivities surrounding the historic sporting event.

This year, you can take part in the revelry without visiting Kentucky or buying the traditional large, wide-brim hat. Acacia Real Food & Cocktails, located in the Catalina Foothills, is hosting the first annual Kentucky Bourbon Dinner on April 29th.

According to Acacia, the dinner pairs one of Chef Albert Hall’s favorite events and favorite libations, southern style bourbon:

“In classic Albert Hall manner, the only way to celebrate the 141st anniversary of The Run for the Roses is to create a fabulous four course dinner where the dishes combine the regional flavors of the south and the paired cocktails reflect the timeless legacy of Kentucky bourbons.”

Dinner starts at 6 pm and costs $65+ per person.

First Course

• Braised ox tail with slow smoked pork belly, butter bean-parsnip purée sweet corn spoon bread
• Served with a Mint Julep made with Blanton’s Bourbon
  • The mint julep, a cocktail consisting primarily of bourbon, sugar syrup and fresh mint, is the traditional drink of the Kentucky Derby.

Second Course

• Salad of chilled beet, fried pimiento cheese, pickled onion, carrot, dilly beans and Kentucky limestone lettuce
• Served with a “Seelbach Cocktail” featuring Four Roses Bourbon
  • Named after the Louisville, Kentucky hotel where it was first crafted in 1917, the Seelbach cocktail is a classic mix of bourbon, Cointreau and both Angostura and Peychaud’s bitters

Third Course

• Chicken fried pork chop, mustard pan gravy, hoppin’ john, braised turnip greens with blackstrap molasses and rhubarb vinegar
• Served with a “Brown & Black” featuring Angel’s EnvyBourbon

Fourth Course

• Boniato sweet potato pie, bourbon salted caramel gelato, chocolate chantilly créme
• Served with an “I’ll Have Another” featuring Jim Beam Maple Bourbon
  • The “I’ll Have Another”, an Acacia originial, is named after the 2012 Derby’s winning thoroughbred

Call 520-232-0101 for reservations. For more information, visit www.acaciatucson.com.