Ingredients
1 cup sugar
12 strips lemon zest (from 2 lemons)
6 fresh mint leaves, plus sprig for garnish
Crushed ice
2 ounces bourbon, such as Bulleit
Preparation
Lemon Simple Syrup: Heat sugar, 1 cup water, and lemon zest in a small saucepan over high, stirring occasionally, until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat; let cool 20 minutes. Remove zest; let cool completely. Syrup can be refrigerated up to 1 week. (Makes 1 1/2 cups.)
Cocktail: In the bottom of a julep cup, muddle mint leaves with 1 tablespoon syrup for a few seconds until mint starts to break down. Add bourbon and fill cup with ice; stir until well chilled. Top with more ice and garnish with mint sprig.
