Ingredients

• 4 cups bourbon
• 2 bunches fresh mint
• 1 c. water
• 1 c. sugar

Preparation

Remove ~40 small mint leaves, wash, and place in bowl. Cover with 1/4 c. bourbon and soak for 15 minutes. Gather the leaves in paper towel and wring out over the bowl. Dip the bundle again, and repeat the process several times.

Prepare 1:1 simple syrup using the water and sugar; cool.

Pour 3 1/2 c. bourbon into a large bowl or pitcher. Add 1 c. of the simple syrup. Add the mint extract 1 tbsp. at a time until there is a mild mint taste to the mix (each batch is different). [CP: I used all of it the first time I made the recipe.] Refrigerate for at least 24 hours to meld flavors.

Fill a glass 1/2 full with shaved ice. Add a mint sprig. Fill the rest of the way with shaved ice. Fill glass with julep mixture and serve.

Bill Samuels, Food Network