Blackberry Mint Julep - National Mint Julep Day!! (Week 22)

Thank you Kim Collier for bringing to my attention a national holiday that demands celebration "National Mint Julep Day"  I caught her post on Facebook and then went to the link provided.  It had 5 delicious recipes and one that was BEGGING for my attention.  You see, in the Mizuno Farms basket (mentioned in my last post) there was a pint of blackberries.  My, my ....this certainly beats the heck out of National Donut Day (June 1st)  YAHOO!!  Here's the reprint.

Blackberry-Mint Julep
The tartness of the berries in this recipe is the perfect match for the drink’s signature sweetness.

Ingredients (makes 4 drinks)

• ½ cup packed fresh mint leaves
• 1 pint blackberries
• 6 tbs sugar
• ½ cup bourbon
• 4 cups small ice cubes
• 4 sprigs of mint for garnishing

To start, roughly chop the mint leaves (you can enjoy their fragrance while you're at it!) Using a blender, puree your mint, blackberries, and sugar. You will then want to press the liquid through a fine sieve and discard any seeds. A quick rinse will ensure that your blender is clean. Return the puree to the blender along with the bourbon and small ice cubes. Blend until smooth, divide the mixture among 4 glasses, and garnish each with a mint sprig. Your drinks will have a gorgeous tint of purple from the berries!