Ingredients:

  • 1/2 cup water
  • 1/2 cup granulated cane sugar
  • 1 cup fresh mint leaves, packed
  • 1 tbsp fresh lime juice
  • 2 oz Kentucky Bourbon
  • 1 oz Homemade Mint Julep Mix
  • 8 fresh mint leaves
  • 2 cups crushed ice
  • 1 fresh mint sprig

Instructions:

  1. Combine water and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat; stir until the sugar is completely dissolved.
  2. Remove from heat and stir in the packed mint leaves. Let the mixture steep for 20 minutes to extract the aromatic oils.
  3. Pour the syrup through a fine-mesh strainer into a glass jar, discarding the spent leaves, and stir in the lime juice.
  4. Refrigerate the mint julep mix for at least 2 hours.
  5. Place 6-8 fresh mint leaves in the bottom of a chilled copper cup and add 1 oz of the pre-made mix.
  6. Use a muddler to press the leaves against the side of the cup 3-4 times to release aromas without shredding.
  7. Pour in 2 oz of bourbon and stir briefly to combine.
  8. Fill the cup halfway with crushed ice, stir vigorously to chill, then fill to the top with a mound of additional crushed ice.
  9. Garnish with a fresh mint sprig.