Blackberry-Bourbon Julep

• 1 1/4 cups fresh blackberries, plus more for garnish
• 1/4 cup superfine sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 cup plus 4 tablespoons bourbon
• 1 big bunch of fresh mint leaves, plus whole sprigs for garnish
• Shaved or crushed ice
• Club soda, chilled

1. Mash together the blackberries, sugar, and vanilla in a small bowl and let macerate at room temperature until juicy, about 20 minutes.
2. Strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, pressing against the solids with a rubber spatula to extract as much juice as possible.
3. Discard the seeds.
4. Put about 2 tablespoons of the blackberry liquid and 1 tablespoon of the bourbon into a silver mint julep cup, add 8 mint leaves, and muddle together.
5. Add shaved ice until the cup is half full.
6. Insert a sprig of mint and then pack in more ice to about 1 inch over the top of the cup.
7. Pour 1/4 cup of the bourbon over the ice, add a splash of club soda, and garnish with several big sprigs of mint.
8. Garnish with whole blackberries, if desired.
9. Repeat steps 2 and 3 three times to make 4 drinks.
10. Serve immediately.

fresh blackberries, sugar, vanilla, bourbon, mint, soda

Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/blackberry-bourbon-julep-382709 (may not work)