To make the handmade peach syrup, place peaches in a saucepan and add cane sugar. Slowly simmer until the peaches have disintegrated. If the syrup is too thick you might need to add up to a half cup of water and reduce a little more.
Strain the syrup and add vodka, which will preserve it well enough to survive no refrigeration for a day’s use, or refrigerate to last for several weeks.
In a mixing glass, gently bruise mint with the peach syrup. Add the Maker’s Mark, stir and strain with a julep strainer into a julep glass filled half way with crushed ice.
Add the bitters if desired, and stir until cold. Fill the glass with more crushed ice to the top and garnish with mint sprigs and a straw.