Ingredients

• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3/4 teaspoon black Indian rock salt
• 1/2 bunch fresh mint leaves, plus more for muddling and 1 sprig for garnish
• 2 juicy limes
• Crushed or shaved ice
• 2 ounces good-quality Kentucky bourbon
• Seltzer water

Instructions

1. Combine 1/2 cup water with the sugar, black salt and mint in a small saucepan. Heat over medium-high heat until the sugar and salt dissolve into a sweet and salty simple syrup. Strain the syrup and transfer to the fridge to cool. Discard the mint leaves. Squeeze the limes into a pitcher and add the chilled simple syrup. Crush or muddle a few mint leaves in the bottom of an 8-ounce mint julep cup until they form a paste. Fill halfway with ice. Add 2 ounces of the simple syrup and the bourbon and top with seltzer. Stir until the silver cup is frosted on the outside. To serve, garnish with a sprig of fresh mint. Reserve the remaining simple syrup for additional drinks.