In the bowl of a stand mixer, or using your hands, mix the water, starter, flour, milk, sugar, melted butter, salt and yeast together until the dough comes together into a smooth ball. The dough will be slightly sticky. If it seems too dry, work in an additional 1 tablespoon water until it becomes the correct consistency. This may take up to 10 minutes.
Place the dough in a wall oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Allow the dough to rest in a warm place for 1 hour.
Preheat oven to 350˚F.
Turn the dough out onto a well greased surface and fold a few times to deflate the dough. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces.
Roll each piece of dough into a long, thin rope and shape into a pretzel. Place the pretzel on a baking sheet lined with parchment and coated with cooking spray. Repeat with the remaining dough.
Stir together the remaining sugar and water. Brush the tops of the pretzels with the sugar water and sprinkle with the pretzel salt.
Bake the pretzels for 25-30 minutes.
Allow the pretzels to cool to room temperature before serving.
Notes
Pretzels can be shaped and frozen before baking. Store them in an airtight container until ready to bake. Follow instructions for baking and bake from frozen increasing the baking time to 35-45 minutes.