Bourbon Strawberry Smash

Ingredients

• 2 cups fresh strawberries, hulled and cut up
• 1/4 cup simple syrup*
• Juice of 3 lemons (9 tablespoons)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves
• 18 ounce (2 1/4 cups) bourbon, such as Bulleit
• 2 cups club soda, chilled
• Crushed ice

Directions

1. In a 2-quart glass pitcher, using a muddler or a wooden spoon, mash strawberries, syrup, lemon juice, and mint leaves together. Add bourbon and club soda. Stir in ice to fill pitcher. Garnish each drink with additional mint sprigs.

*SIMPLE SYRUP: In a small saucepan heat and stir 1/3 cup sugar and 1/3 cup water until sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and cool. Cover and chill up to 2 weeks. Makes 1/2 cup.