One of my favorite cocktails of all time is a Kiwi Cobbler from Food & Wine magazine. The combination of muddled fruit, mint, and vanilla bean scream warm weather and lazy weekends outside. That's why I sought to create a riff on the cocktail for the Kentucky Derby using in-season strawberries and bourbon. The flavors meld effortlessly. Thanks to the vanilla bean and strawberries, there's no need to go overboard on the sugar. Think of this as a less-sweet, fruity mint julep. Cheers!
In a double old-fashioned cocktail glass, muddle sugar, strawberries, and vanilla bean until strawberries look slightly pulpy. Spank mint leaves and add to glass. Pour in bourbon, and stir until combined. Fill glass with ice, and top with club soda. Garnish with more mint.