Coconut Rum & Chipotle BBQ Sauce | Homemade BBQ Sauce
This has been my go-to homemade BBQ sauce for quite some time. It starts with the familiar combination of brown sugar and ketchup, but I like building on that with freshly squeezed apple and orange juices, Worcestershire sauce, balsamic vinegar and a little English mustard.
Coconut rum might sound like an odd addition, but that is exactly why I like it here. It brings some sweetness and a subtle tropical note without making the sauce taste like coconut. A little chipotle in adobo finishes everything with smoke and gentle heat.
BBQ sauce doesn't really have one single origin story. Sauces used with barbecued meat in America developed differently from region to region, which is why Carolina sauces can be sharp and vinegar-heavy while other styles lean toward mustard, tomato or something much sweeter and thicker.
The familiar dark, sweet, ketchup-based bottled BBQ sauce came much later. My version isn't meant to recreate any particular regional American style; it is simply the sauce I have tweaked over the years to suit the way I cook.
The fresh fruit juices give it acidity and sweetness, while reducing everything together concentrates those flavours into something sticky, tangy, smoky and slightly spicy.
And honestly, making BBQ sauce from scratch isn't nearly as troublesome as it sounds. Everything goes into one pot and the stove does most of the work. More importantly, you get to decide how the finished sauce tastes. Want it smokier? Add a little more adobo. Sharper? Adjust the vinegar. Sweeter? You know what to do.
Give this a try at least once before reaching for another bottle of BBQ sauce. Use it for ribs, chicken, burgers, pulled meat or even as a glaze, but keep an eye on it over high heat because there is plenty of sugar in here and sugar burns. Once you understand the basic balance of sweet, acidic, savoury and smoky, you can start making this sauce your own.
Ingredients:
(Make approximately 500ml)
Brown Sugar, 100g
Tomato Ketchup, 120g
Fresh Apple Juice, 200g
Fresh Orange Juice, 100g
Coconut Rum, 60g
Worchestershire Sauce, 30g
Balsamic Vinegar, 30g
English Mustard Powder, 10g
Chipotle in Adobo Sauce, 1/2 TBSP Chipotle + 1/2 TBSP Adobo Sauce
Sea Salt, Pinch
Equipment:
Sauce Pot
Directions:
Add all of the ingredients to a sauce pot and stir until everything is well combined.
Place the pot over medium heat and bring the mixture to a gentle simmer. Stir occasionally, especially around the bottom and sides of the pot, so the sugar doesn't catch and burn.
Once it begins simmering, lower the heat. You want to see small, gentle bubbles rather than a vigorous boil.
Continue simmering the sauce uncovered, stirring occasionally, until it has reduced and thickened slightly. Don't worry if it still looks a little thinner than bottled BBQ sauce at this stage. It will continue to thicken considerably as it cools.
Taste the sauce and adjust the seasoning if necessary. You can add a little more salt, adobo sauce or vinegar depending on whether you want it saltier, smokier or sharper.
Remove the pot from the heat and allow the BBQ sauce to cool completely.
Once cooled, check the consistency. The sauce should now be noticeably thicker and should coat the back of a spoon.
Transfer the BBQ sauce into a clean, sterilized airtight container and store it in the refrigerator.
Use within 7 days.
BBQ Hot Dog Burnt Ends...
FAQ
What does coconut rum do in BBQ sauce?
It adds sweetness and a subtle tropical background note. After simmering with the other ingredients, it shouldn't taste strongly of coconut or like a cocktail.
Can I make this BBQ sauce without coconut rum?
Yes. The flavour will be slightly different, but you can replace it with additional apple juice and adjust the sweetness and acidity to taste.
Why is my BBQ sauce still thin while hot?
That's normal. Stop reducing it while it is slightly thinner than you want the finished sauce to be. The sauce thickens considerably as it cools.
What can I use this BBQ sauce for?
Use it with chicken, pork, beef, burgers, ribs or pulled meats, or brush it onto food as a glaze toward the end of cooking.
How long does homemade BBQ sauce last?
For this recipe, I recommend storing it in a clean airtight container in the refrigerator and using it within 7 days.
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