Mint Julep

½ cup packed fresh mint sprigs
2 cups sugar
¼ cup sugar syrup
2 to 2 ½ cups shaved ice
6 ounces bourbon

Sugar Syrup:
Place 2 cups sugar and 4 cups of cold water in a saucepan and bring to a boil over high heat, stirring with a wooden spoon until the sugar has dissolved. Continue to boil for 5 minutes and remove from the heat.

When the syrup is cool, refrigerate in a covered container. The syrup will keep for two weeks under refrigeration and can be frozen indefinitely

Drink:
In a blender combine the mint and sugar syrup mixing until pureed thoroughly. Place half of the mint mixture and 1 straw in each julep cup. packing the ice around the straw fill the cup almost to the top with shaved ice. Decorate with mint sprigs and sip in the shade.

Makes two 12 ounce drinks