Blackberry-Mint Julep

prepared by and photo by Emily S. Downs

Not a fan of straight bourbon? Try a julep… a favorite down south, especially around Derby time. Food and Wine magazine offered this version back in 2012 and I do dig it!

Ingredients:
Small ice cubes
1/4 cup blackberries, plus 1 blackberry for garnish
2 tbsp mint leaves, plus1 mint sprig for garnish
1 tbsp sugar
1 1/2 oz bourbon

Fill a rocks glass halfway with ice cubes. In a shaker, combine the 1/4 cup blackberries, mint, sugar, bourbon and 1/3 cup of ice cubes and shake well. Strain the drink into the glass through a course sieve, pressing on the solids. Garnish with the blackberry and mint sprig.