Mint Julep

Beverages

Makes 1 quart

Ingredients

2 cups bottled water
3/4 cup sugar
3 cups loosely packed fresh mint leaves
2 cups bourbon
fresh mint sprigs (to garnish)

Instructions

Combine the water and sugar in a
large non-reactive
saucepan over medium heat and stir to dissolve
the sugar. Add the mint and bring to a boil. Remove
from
the heat, cover and steep for 30 minutes.

Strain the mint syrup through a strainer lined with
several thicknesses of cheesecloth then cool.

Combine the cooled mint syrup with the bourbon and pour
into a sterilized bottle.
Wait at least one month before drinking. To serve, fill
a julep cup or Collins glass with clear, crushed ice
and fill with the mint julep mixture. Garnish with a
sprig of fresh mint.