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Home » Recipes » Sauces and Seasonings

Published: Jul 13, 2020 · Modified: Sep 8, 2022 by Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Bourbon-Coffee BBQ Sauce

Jump to Recipe

Step up your summer grilling game with this bourbon-coffee BBQ sauce! Spicy, smoky and complex with a boozy punch, this homemade BBQ sauce perfectly complements any grilled meat. After one taste, I have no doubt this will become your new favorite BBQ sauce.

A close-up shot of the bourbon-coffee BBQ sauce on a piece of burlap with espresso beans scattered around it.
Jump to:
  • Why You'll Love This Recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-Step Instructions
  • How to Use
  • Recipe FAQs
  • Expert Tips
  • Perfect Pairing
  • Get More Backyard BBQ Recipes
  • 📖 Recipe

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Coffee and bourbon unite for the ultimate flavor depth: Coffee and bourbon add such a complexity to a good chili-based dish. The coffee's roasted notes and the bourbon's charred oak undertones

Way better than store-bought BBQ sauce: Sure, you can buy BBQ sauce in a jar, but why would you when homemade is much more flavorful, full of natural ingredients and super simple? The flavor boost alone is worth making your own coffee BBQ sauce, but when you throw in those additional perks, you can't justify buying it at the store.

Easily adjustable to suit your taste: Particular about your BBQ sauce? You can control the seasoning as you see fit. If you shy away from too much heat, cut back on the chili powder. Or maybe you want more heat — simply add more chili powder or some cayenne pepper. It's way more fun and satisfying to create your own sauce!

Simple as it gets: If you can simmer ingredients, you have all the skills necessary to make this recipe. See? You have no reason not to try your hand at this from-scratch BBQ sauce.

Related: For more options, try my blueberry BBQ sauce and honey-sriracha BBQ sauce!

Ingredients

The ingredients for the sauce with black and white labels on a wooden board.

Let's first organize our bourbon BBQ sauce ingredients and chat through some tips.

Coffee: I prefer to use a medium or dark roast, but your favorite variety works just fine.

Bourbon: Use something that's good enough to drink on its own. Cheap bourbon is harsh and will come through in the sauce. I'm not saying to break the bank looking for a pricey bourbon. As long as it's tasty enough to drink, you'll be good to go.

Something mid-range, like Makers Mark, is perfect. I love that Makers Mark is a sweeter bourbon with vanilla and caramel notes, which is a nice contrast to the smoky spice. Alternatively, you're more than welcome to substitute whiskey or rye.

Molasses: We want to use unsulphured molasses rather than blackstrap. Thanks to its make up of ripe sugar cane, unsulphured molasses is sweeter with a richer flavor.

Spice mixture: Here, we use chili powder, espresso powder, mustard powder, smoked paprika, ground cumin, onion powder and salt.

Step-by-Step Instructions

So let's go over just how easy it is to make this bourbon-coffee BBQ sauce recipe.

Step 1: We start by adding a can of tomato sauce and tomato paste, which is the base of our sauce, to a medium-size saucepan. Now we give it a stir to make one cohesive mixture (photo 1).

Stirring together the tomato sauce and tomato paste to make one cohesive mixture.

Step 2: With our base prepared, we add our spice mixture to give this homemade BBQ sauce the perfect kick (photo 2).

Stirring the seasonings and spices into the tomato sauce in a small stainless steel saucepan.

Step 3: Now we let our mixture simmer to allow the flavors to meld and the sauce to thicken (photo 3). I find about 20 minutes does the trick.

Simmering the sauce after mixing the ingredients in a small stainless steel saucepan.

Step 4: After the sauce cooks, we turn off the heat, add our bourbon (photo 4) and enjoy on every piece of meat in sight.

Adding the bourbon to the sauce in a small stainless steel saucepan.

How to Use

Of course, you can slather this coffee-bourbon BBQ sauce all over grilled or smoked meats, like my favorite tri tip, brisket, smoked chicken and 3-2-1 ribs, but that's not its only use. Here are a few ideas.

  • Use as a pizza base, like my shrimp and avocado grilled naan pizza or pulled pork BBQ pizza.
  • Drizzle on some brisket mac and cheese.
  • Brush onto a block of smoked cream cheese for an amazing dip.
  • Combine with ranch dressing for salads.
  • Dress up your classic baked potato.
  • Serve with cocktail meatballs.
  • Cooked with baked beans.
  • Spoon onto tacos, quesadillas or tostadas.
  • Smothered on a burger or sliders.
  • Use as a dipping sauce for chicken strips.

Recipe FAQs

How do you store homemade BBQ sauce?

With our sauce prepare, we want to keep it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. A mason jar or plastic storage container works great. Thanks to the sugars and vinegar, we get plenty of natural preservatives, so it should last several weeks.

Is BBQ sauce spicy?

This sauce certainly has a kick, thanks to the chili powder. That said, I've served this to friends who are sensitive to spice, and they had no problem enjoying it. Of course, spice tolerance is subjective, but just about anyone won't find this recipe too spicy.

Can you freeze BBQ sauce?

You sure can, and it's a great option if you'd like to store it for even longer. Simply keep the sauce in an airtight, freezer-safe container for up to three months. After that, the sauce is still safe to consume, but the quality starts to go down.

A hand holding a gold spoon filled with the bourbon-coffee BBQ sauce over the jar on a piece of burlap.

Expert Tips

Serve at room temperature: I like to let the sauce come down to room temperature or spoon what I plan to use in a separate container and zap it in the microwave. The refrigeration chill naturally dilutes some flavors, so you'll miss out on the sauce's complexity if you serve while cold. This isn't much of a problem if you baste the sauce onto meat while grilling, but it is if you drizzle the sauce onto pulled pork or use as a dipper.

Use a separate container for basting: If you plan to brush this BBQ sauce onto meat, pour a small amount in a separate container and brush from there. You can always add more if need be. If you brush the meat and then put it back into the jar of BBQ sauce, you could contaminate the entire batch.

Adjust the seasoning to your preference: I like a spicy kick in my BBQ sauce, so I use a full tablespoon of chipotle chili powder. However, if you're sensitive to heat, add about a teaspoon at a time and season to your liking.

Perfect Pairing

Considering that my flavor inspiration for this BBQ sauce came from Avery Brewing Tweak, a bourbon barrel-aged coffee imperial stout, it only makes sense to grab that same beer. If you can’t get your hands on Tweak, Oskar Blues Java Bourbon Barrel-Aged Ten FIDY is a good one or look for any similar offering from one of your local breweries.

If you’re in the mood for wine, I like a zinfandel for its fruity notes and peppery kick. Plus, it's bold enough to stand up to this complex sauce. However, if you plan on using this sauce on chicken, a pinot noir is a nice option.

Of course, if you want to stick with the bourbon theme, I have you covered with lots of cocktails. For something fruity to counter the spice, my cherry bourbon smash and blueberry bourbon smash are tasty options. Some warm spices would also make a good match, so feel free to pair this sauce with my apple cider old fashioned or chai-cranberry bourbon smash.

If you're ready to step up your grilling game, I hope you try this coffee-bourbon BBQ sauce. It's sure to be a hit at your next backyard party.

Cheers!

A jar of the bourbon-coffee BBQ sauce on a piece of burlap on top of a wooden surface with a gold spoon in front.

Get More Backyard BBQ Recipes

  • The Best Smoked Jalapeño Poppers
  • Herbed Bacon Macaroni Salad
  • Jamaican Jerk Chicken (Grilling and Oven Methods)
  • Herbed Roasted Potato Salad

If you love this recipe, please leave a comment with a five-star rating — or simply hit the five-star button in the recipe card. Don't forget to sign up for my newsletter, and you can follow me on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok.

📖 Recipe

A jar of coffee-bourbon BBQ sauce with a bottle of Maker's Mark and glass of coffee beans in the background.

Bourbon-Coffee BBQ Sauce

Step up your summer grilling game with this bourbon-coffee BBQ sauce! Spicy, smoky and complex with a boozy punch, this homemade BBQ sauce perfectly complements any grilled meat. After one taste, I have no doubt this will become your new favorite BBQ sauce.
5 from 48 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Sauces
Cuisine: American
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes
Servings: 24 servings
Calories: 40kcal
Author: Amanda McGrory-Dixon

Equipment

  • Medium-size saucepan

Ingredients

  • 1 (15-ounce) tomato sauce can
  • 1 (6-ounce) tomato paste can
  • 3 garlic cloves grated or minced
  • ¾ cup brewed coffee preferably dark roast
  • ½ cup apple cider vinegar
  • ⅓ cup unsulphured molasses not blackstrap
  • ¼ cup real maple syrup
  • ¼ cup dark brown sugar packed
  • 1 tablespoon chipotle chili powder can substitute regular chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon espresso powder
  • 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
  • 1 tablespoon mustard powder
  • 2 teaspoons smoked paprika
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1 teaspoon onion powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¼ cup bourbon

Instructions

  • In a medium saucepan, stir together the tomato sauce and paste until it becomes one cohesive mixture.
  • Stir in the garlic, coffee, apple cider vinegar, molasses, maple syrup, dark brown sugar, chipotle chili powder, espresso powder, Worcestershire sauce, mustard powder, smoked paprika, cumin, onion powder and salt.
  • Bring to a simmer over medium heat. Continue to simmer until the mixture slightly thickens, stirring often to prevent burning. If necessary, you can turn down the heat but maintain a simmer. Cooking time generally takes about 15-20 minutes.
  • Turn off heat. Stir in bourbon. Cool and store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Enjoy!

Notes

  • For the coffee, use an actual brewed cup of coffee, not coffee grounds.
  • Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator. If stored properly, it should last several weeks.
  • Serve at room temperature. I like to let the sauce come down to room temperature or spoon what I plan to use in a separate container and zap it in the microwave. The refrigeration chill naturally dilutes some flavors, so you'll miss out on the sauce's complexity if you serve while cold. This isn't much of a problem if you baste the sauce onto meat while grilling, but it is if you drizzle the sauce onto pulled pork or use as a dipper.
  • If basting, pour a small amount of the sauce into a separate container to avoid cross contamination.
  • Nutritional information is only an estimate. The accuracy of the nutritional information for any recipe on this site is not guaranteed.

Nutrition

Serving: 2tablespoons | Calories: 40kcal | Carbohydrates: 10g | Sodium: 185mg | Sugar: 8g
Tried this Recipe? Pin it for Later!Mention @BurrataandBubbles or tag #burratandbubbles!

More Sauces and Seasonings

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  • Jamaican Jerk Salsa
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    Recipe Rating




  1. Harry R says

    January 15, 2023 at 10:26 am

    5 stars
    First I made this it was only half ingredients, the second time was full boat. We compared the taste to two other of our favorite sauces and yours was the best. Thanks for sharing. BTW, I didn't have enough tomato sauce so I made up the quantity with ketchup. Still came out tasting great.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      January 15, 2023 at 2:24 pm

      Thank you so much, Harry! It's a favorite at our house too. So glad you enjoyed it!

      Reply
  2. Paul says

    July 16, 2022 at 4:15 am

    5 stars
    Not to go with the obvious pun, but absolutely AWESOME SAUCE!!!!

    How long do you think it would last sealed and frozen?

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      July 16, 2022 at 8:40 am

      Thank you so much! I actually made some for Memorial Day weekend, and the leftovers lasted through July 4th. It’s just two of us, so it’s a lot for us to get through. The sugars and apple cider vinegar are preservatives, so it gives the sauce some longevity. If you were to freeze it, you should be able to get about three months before the quality may go down a bit.

      Reply
  3. Andy says

    March 05, 2022 at 3:42 am

    5 stars
    Whipped this up and it is awesome! Thanks! How long do you find it generally lasts in the fridge?

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      March 05, 2022 at 7:07 am

      So glad you love it! I keep it for about two weeks in an airtight container in the refrigerator.

      Reply
  4. Beth says

    August 18, 2021 at 2:53 am

    5 stars
    This was the perfect sauce for our gathering over the weekend! Everyone raved about this BBQ sauce and I was so happy to share this recipe with everyone! So flavorful and very tasty!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 18, 2021 at 8:12 pm

      Oh, that's so wonderful to hear! Thank you for sharing.

      Reply
  5. Denay DeGuzman says

    August 17, 2021 at 11:55 pm

    5 stars
    This BBQ sauce is so delicious. It started off as a gift idea for a neighbor, but then my husband discovered it and used it for BBQ ribs!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 18, 2021 at 10:43 am

      That sounds like the perfect use!

      Reply
  6. Jessie says

    August 17, 2021 at 8:56 pm

    5 stars
    Umm this sound like my kind of BBQ sauce! I am going to save this to try this weekend!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 18, 2021 at 10:42 am

      You will LOVE it!

      Reply
  7. Patty at Spoonabilities says

    August 17, 2021 at 8:03 pm

    5 stars
    Oh my gosh, does this sound fantastic! Homemade sauce is always so much better, and I can just see this one being a great gift idea too! So good!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 18, 2021 at 10:39 am

      Absolutely! It's such a nice host/hostess gift. Enjoy! We love it on just about everything.

      Reply
  8. Joan says

    August 17, 2021 at 7:59 pm

    5 stars
    Wow! This BBQ sauce turns out really great! Definitely keeping this recipe.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      August 18, 2021 at 10:38 am

      Oh, I'm so glad! It really is a keeper.

      Reply
  9. Michelle says

    June 10, 2021 at 9:43 pm

    5 stars
    I'm blown away by the flavors in this BBQ sauce is amazing, making it for Father's Day because I know my hubby will love it.

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      June 11, 2021 at 1:24 pm

      I bet he will!

      Reply
  10. Sara Welch says

    June 10, 2021 at 9:25 pm

    5 stars
    What a sweet and savory sauce that was hands down delicious! Way better than any store bought version I've tasted; the whole family loved it!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      June 11, 2021 at 1:24 pm

      Thanks for sharing, Sara! That's so great to hear.

      Reply
  11. Keri Bevan says

    June 10, 2021 at 6:43 pm

    5 stars
    Just pulled out a bottle of bourbon and set it aside to try this out tomorrow. This sounds like an amazing combination of flavours!

    Reply
    • Amanda McGrory-Dixon says

      June 10, 2021 at 6:53 pm

      Sounds like you have a delicious weekend ahead of you!

      Reply
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Hi, I'm Amanda, a Denver-based lady who believes life is best spent with comforting meals, tasty beverages and good company. When I'm not playing in the kitchen, I'm probably exploring new breweries with my husband, Matt, or obsessing over my adorable dog, Baylor.

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