Houmas House Plantation Mint Julep

Makes 1 mint julep

8 mint leaves

1 tablespoon simple syrup, (equal amounts water and sugar, heated until sugar melts), cooled

Crushed ice

2 ounces bourbon

Slash Club Soda

Sprig of mint for garnish

Put the mint leaves and the syrup in the bottom of a tall glass. With the handle of a wooden spoon, crush and mash the leaves to extract the flavor. Fill the glass with crushed ice. Pour in the bourbon and top off glass with club soda. With a long-handled spoon, stir to chill and mix. Garnish with a sprig of mint.