Tom Bulleit's Mint Julep

Wash mint leaves, pay dry and put them in a small mixing bowl. Cover with 3 ounces of Bulleit Bourbon and let soak for 15 minutes.

Remove mint, then place them in a clean cotton cloth and wring over bowl, bruising the leaves. Dip back into bourbon and wring again. Repeat several times to create mint extract. Set extract aside for 1 hour. You can also put the leaves back in the extract for a more contentrated mint flavor.

Combine mint extract (leaves included if preferred) with simple syrup in a covered glass jar and refrigerate over night.

Fill julep cups (10-12 oz., preferrably silver but glass will do) with crushed ice and insert a fresh mint srpig. Add 1.5 oz. Bulleit Bourbon to each cup. Add marinated extract to taste. Makes 8 servings.