Stonefruit and Mint Julep

Ingredients

• 1 serving lavender sprigs for garnish
• 1 serving lime wedges 
• 2 cups stonefruit puree (peach, nectarine, apricot, plum, etc.)
• 2 cups mint leaves 
• 1 cup sugar plus more for garnish
• 0.5 cup water 
• 2 bottles southern whiskey 

Equipment

• pot
• plastic wrap

Directions

1. To make a mint-flavored simple syrup, begin by boiling the water and sugar with 2 cups of roughly torn and bruised mint in large sauce pot. Boil just until the sugar dissolves completely. Cool and strain the mint out of mixture.
2. Add 2 bottles of whiskey and fruit puree to the infusion.
3. Pour the mixture into a large bottle or pitcher. Stuff the pitcher with the remaining bunch of fresh mint. Cap and put in freezer overnight (if using a pitcher cover with plastic wrap).
4. Glasses: Wipe the rim of each glass with a lime wedge, then in sugar for a frosted appearance and chill. Fill with julep mixture straight from the frozen bottle and garnish with a mint or lavender sprig.