Mint Julep

• 2 cups water
• 2 1/2 cups sugar
• 1/2 cup roughly choopped fresh mint plus more left whole for garnish
• 32 fl. oz. Kentucky bourbon

Combine water, sugar and chopped mint leaves in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil over high heat to dissolve the sugar. Allow syrup to cool, approximately 1 hour. Pour syrup through a strainer to remove mint leaves Fill eight cups with crushed ice and pour 4 ounces of bourbon and 1/4 cup mint syrup in each. (Proportions can be adjusted depending on each person's sweet tooth). Top each cup with a mint sprig and a straw. Leave out the bourbon and mix with seltzer for a virgin - Mint Tulep.