Blackberry Mint Juleps

Total Time: 30 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 20 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 pint fresh blackberries, rinsed and dried
• 1/2 cup superfine sugar (i subbed splenda with great results)
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 1 large bunch mint
• crushed ice
• 1 cup bourbon
• seltzer water, chilled (i subbed diet lemon lime soda with great results)

Recipe

• 1 in a small bowl, mash together the blackberries, sugar and vanilla and let sit at room temperature until juicy, about 20 minutes.
• 2 strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, pressing against the solids with a rubber spatula; discard the seeds.
• 3 for each drink, place about 3 tablespoons of the blackberry syrup and 8 mint leaves into a cocktail glass and muddle together using the handle of a wooden spoon.
• 4 fill with crushed ice, 1/4 cup bourbon and a splash of seltzer. garnish with a mint sprig.