Ingredients

1 pint fresh blackberries, rinsed and dried

8 tablespoons superfine sugar (note: You can use Splenda and nobody will know the difference!)

½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 big bunch of mint leaves

Crushed ice

1 cup bourbon

Cold club soda

Preparation

  1. Mash together the blackberries, sugar and vanilla extract 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 and discard the seeds.

  2. Place 1 ½ tablespoons of the blackberry liquid into a mint julep glass, add 8 mint leaves and muddle together. Fill with crushed ice, ¼ cup of bourbon and a splash of club soda. Garnish with sprigs of mint. Repeat to make 4 drinks.