Blackberry Mint Juleps - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 pint fresh blackberries, rinsed and dried
1/2 cup superfine sugar (I subbed Splenda with great results)
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
1 large bunch mint
crushed ice
1 cup Bourbon
seltzer water, chilled (I subbed diet lemon lime soda with great results)

Preparation

In a small bowl, mash together the blackberries, sugar and vanilla and let sit at room temperature until juicy, about 20 minutes.
Strain the mixture through a sieve into a bowl, pressing against the solids with a rubber spatula; discard the seeds.
For each drink, place about 3 tablespoons of the blackberry syrup and 8 mint leaves into a cocktail glass and muddle together using the handle of a wooden spoon.
Fill with crushed ice, 1/4 cup bourbon and a splash of seltzer. Garnish with a mint sprig.