Blackberry Mint Julep

Ingredients

1 1/4 cups fresh blackberries, plus more for garnish

1/4 cup superfine sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

1 cup + 4 tablespoons bourbon

1 bunch of fresh mint leaves, plus whole sprigs for garnish

shaved or crushed ice

club soda, chilled

Directions

1. Mash together the blackberries, sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl and let macerate at room temperature until juicy, about 20 minutes.  Strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, pressing against the solids with a rubber spatula to extract as much juice as possible.  Discard the seeds.

2. Put about 2 tablespoons of the blackberry liquid and 1 tablespoon of the bourbon into a silver mint julep cup.  

Add 8 mint leaves, and muddle together.

3. Add shaved ice until the cup is half full.  Insert a sprig of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1 inch over the top of the cup.  Pour 1/4 cup bourbon over the ice.  Add a splash of club soda, and garnish with several mint sprigs and blackberries. 

4. Repeat steps 2 and 3 to make 4 drinks.  

Serve & Enjoy!

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