So it turns out I like bourbon. More concerning is how much I like to create in the kitchen when I drink bourbon. Not a lot of it. This isn’t about getting sloppy and dumping everything from the fridge into a pot and calling it art. This is about opening a bottle, getting the smell, taking a sip, and realizing I could totally cook something with this.
The key, my friends, is to write the ingredients and steps down as you create. “Oh, but I’ll remember this list of ingredients I added in this specific order” … no you won’t. Not because the bourbon will make you forget, but because after a drink or two, you’ll have this weird confidence in your ability to remember.
To be clear, drinking the bourbon is not a requirement to make this sauce. But even if you’re stone sober, still write it down.
The inspiration for this sauce isn’t anything quirky, and I’m far from the first person to put bourbon and brown sugar together. The combination is used all the time in glazes, marinades, and even Jamie Foxx’s whiskey.
What I was aiming for with this recipe is something simple and accessible, where the ingredients added are only there to let the bourbon and brown sugar duo shine. Feel free to switch out the ketchup for your own tomato-based concoction, but aim for something with a roughly similar thickness.
If you don’t use ketchup, you may need to slightly increase the vinegar in the recipe or add some to whatever tomato-based sauce you make in order to replace the vinegar that’s already in ketchup. Vinegar is not only a crucial BBQ sauce ingredient, but it’s also a natural preservative. You also may want to reduce the added salt to account for what’s already in the ketchup. If you use a version of my all-purpose seasoning instead of salt and pepper, you’ll be fine.
As always, may all your teams win or your bourbon be saucy.
Bourbon Brown Sugar BBQ Sauce
Ingredients
- 1 cup bourbon
- 4 cloves garlic
- 1/2 onion
- 2 cups ketchup
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup tomato paste
- 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce
- 1-1/2 tbsp liquid smoke
- 1 tbsp spicy brown mustard
- 1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning or salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Cut 1/2 an onion into quarters. With the flat end of a knife, crush the garlic cloves.4 cloves garlic, 1/2 onion
- Combine bourbon, garlic, and onion in a saucepan and heat until simmering. Simmer for 10 minutes.1 cup bourbon
- Mix remaining ingredients until well-blended, then add to the bourbon. Simmer another 20 minutes or longer. Whisk periodically to keep it smooth and incorporate onion and garlic.2 cups ketchup, 1/2 cup brown sugar, 1/3 cup apple cider vinegar, 1/4 cup tomato paste, 1/4 cup worcestershire sauce, 1-1/2 tbsp liquid smoke, 1 tbsp spicy brown mustard, 1 tbsp all-purpose seasoning
- Remove onion and garlic and let the sauce cool until it can be stored in an airtight container or squeeze bottle. Store in the refrigerator.
Notes
- Discard onion and garlic for a smooth sauce
- Remove onion and garlic and run them through a food processor, then add back in for texture
- Remove onion and garlic and run them through the food processor, then strain through a mesh strainer to get the flavor without adding texture
Dee-Licious!