# Kentucky Derby Ice Creams Graeter’s Ice Cream Has a New Backstretch Bourbon Cherry Flavor By Katherine Pendrill | Published 2026-04-14 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/backstretch-bourbon-cherry References: [qsrmagazine](https://www.qsrmagazine.com/news/graeters-ice-cream-unveils-bourbon-cherry-flavor-in-official-kentucky-derby-collaboration/) & [prnewswire](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/graeters-ice-cream-and-the-kentucky-derby-charge-out-of-the-gate-with-limited-edition-flavor-backstretch-bourbon-cherry-302739973.html)  America’s oldest family-owned and operated ice cream maker, Graeter’s Ice Cream, has officially teamed up with [Churchill Downs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caroline-chambers) to create a limited-edition Backstretch Bourbon Cherry flavor for the Kentucky Derby A natural collaboration, the Backstretch Bourbon Cherry flavor was created when the Churchill Downs team visited the [Graeter's Ice Cream](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/milk-stouts) factory and tasted the new cherry-tinged flavor straight from Graeter’s signature French Pots. As Richard Graeter, fourth-generation president and CEO of Graeter's Ice Cream, explains, "The flavor and name were developed by Graeter's with their input, and Churchill Downs approved it on the very first bite. From that moment, we knew we had a winning flavor." The ice cream itself is described as a Kentucky bourbon-kissed ice cream studded with [black cherries and crunchy pralines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hagendazs-dark-cherry-truffle-collection), which captures the thrill, tradition, and pageantry of the Kentucky Derby. Image Credit: Graeter’s Ice Cream ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 38% | Activity: 45% | Freshness: 72% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Food](https://www.trendhunter.com/food) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Event-branded Gourmet Flavors:** Co-branded, limited-edition flavors tied to major events create premium, time-limited products that redefine fan engagement and willingness to pay. - **Heritage Craft Collaboration:** Legacy artisanal makers partnering with large institutions refresh traditional brands and enable storytelling-driven extensions that reach new demographics. - **Boozy Dessert Confections:** Alcohol-infused frozen desserts and confections open adult-focused categories that prompt innovations in formulation, labeling, and age-gated distribution. ### Who This Affects Most - **Food and Beverage:** Collaborations between craft producers and marquee events drive demand for specialty ingredients, small-batch manufacturing capabilities, and premiumization strategies. - **Hospitality and Events:** Event venues and planners benefit from bespoke culinary offerings that amplify guest experience and create new branded merchandising and F&B revenue lines. - **Retail and E-commerce:** Limited-run, event-tied products create spike-driven commerce patterns that favor agile inventory management, pre-order models, and experiential online launches. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Candied Whiskey Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graeters-bourbon-ball.md) - [Bake Shop-Themed Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graeters.md) - [Legacy-Honoring Ice Cream Branding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graeters-ice-cream-branding.md) - [Roller Coaster-Inspired Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graeters-beast-feast.md) - [Mysterious Ice Cream Packs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mystery-tasting-pack.md) - [Festive Holiday Frozen Treats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/graeters-ice-cream.md) - [Tropically Caky Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hawaiian-wedding-cake-ice-cream.md) - [Summer-Inspired Fall Ice Creams](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caramel-apple-pie-ice-cream.md) - [Bake Shop-Inspired Desserts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/blueberry-lemon-crumble.md)