Sweet, tangy, smoky, and totally irresistible—this Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce is what grilled food dreams are made of! With a splash of real cherry cola and a handful of plump cherries, this unique homemade sauce will have you skipping the store-bought bottles for good.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Unforgettable Flavor: The blend of cherry cola, sweet cherries, and classic BBQ ingredients creates a sauce with a flavor that’s both nostalgic and totally unique.
- Super Simple: Just a few minutes of prep and minimal cookware, making this perfect for weeknight grilling or fuss-free summer cookouts.
- Versatile: Slather it on ribs, burgers, or even grilled veggies—Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce brings out the best in everything it touches.
- Make Ahead Friendly: Whip up a batch ahead of time and keep it in the fridge for flavor-packed meals all week long.
Ingredients You’ll Need
What’s fantastic about this Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce is that every ingredient is easy to find—yet each one adds something special, from deep caramel notes to bright, fruity bursts. Here’s what you’ll need and why it matters:
- Ketchup: The tangy, tomatoey base that gives your sauce body and that signature BBQ color.
- Cherry cola: Not just for sipping! The fizz infuses sweetness and caramel flavor, while the cherry essence adds nostalgic flair.
- Sweet cherries (pitted): These little gems bring bursts of juicy, natural sweetness and a gorgeous ruby color—fresh or thawed frozen work great.
- Brown sugar: Adds molasses-y depth and helps the sauce caramelize beautifully on the grill.
- Apple cider vinegar: Brings bright acidity for perfect tang, balancing out all the sweet notes.
- Molasses: A smoky, robust undercurrent that screams classic BBQ flavor.
- Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub: The secret spice blend that brings warmth, just enough heat, and loads of flavor. (If you don’t have this, see Variations below!)
Variations
The real magic of homemade sauces? You can tweak them to fit your cravings and what’s already in your pantry. Don’t be afraid to get creative—these easy variations make the Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce your own!
- Swap the Rub: No Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub on hand? Use your favorite BBQ seasoning or even a homemade mix with paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, and a pinch of cayenne.
- Spice It Up: Add a chopped chipotle pepper in adobo or a teaspoon of smoked paprika for a fiery twist with a smoky kick.
- Vegan Version: Double-check your brand of sugar and molasses for vegan-friendliness, and use a vegan ketchup for a fully plant-based BBQ sauce.
- Extra Tang: Swap some ketchup for tomato paste and add a splash more vinegar if you love a punchy, tangy finish.
How to Make Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce
Step 1: Combine Ingredients
Toss all your ingredients—ketchup, cherry cola, cherries, brown sugar, apple cider vinegar, molasses, and sweet rub—straight into a medium saucepan. No need to chop or fuss, just give everything a good stir to combine. It already smells like summer fun!
Step 2: Simmer and Thicken
Bring the mixture to a gentle boil over medium heat, then immediately lower to a simmer. Let the sauce bubble away for about 20 minutes, stirring now and then. As it cooks, it’ll thicken and the cherries will soften—your kitchen will fill with delicious, fruity BBQ aromas!
Step 3: Blend Until Smooth
Give the sauce a few minutes to cool off (so you don’t build up pressure in your blender!), then transfer it in batches if needed. Blend until the Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce is completely smooth—think silky, pourable, and glistening with a deep cherry-red hue.
Step 4: Use or Store
You can use your sauce right away for basting and dipping, or let it cool and then stash it in a lidded jar. It’ll keep in the fridge for up to a week, so you can pull it out anytime your grill (or air fryer!) is calling.
Pro Tips for Making Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce
- Cherry Selection: Fresh, frozen, or thawed—all work! If using frozen cherries, there’s no need to defrost. Just toss them right into the pot for the best fruity punch.
- Control the Thickness: Prefer a thicker sauce? Let it simmer uncovered five minutes longer. For a thinner, drizzle-friendly consistency, blend in a splash of extra cherry cola at the end.
- Blending Safety: Be sure to cool your sauce slightly before blending, and always hold down the blender lid with a kitchen towel—hot sauce creates a lot of steam pressure!
- Batch it Up: Love this Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce? Double (or triple!) the recipe for big cookouts, gifting to friends, or stocking your fridge for the whole grilling season.
How to Serve Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce
Garnishes
If you want your BBQ sauce spread or serving bowl to look as good as it tastes, top it with a sprinkle of chopped fresh cherries, thinly sliced scallions, or a dash of extra BBQ rub. The deep red and a hint of green make the sauce pop in any setting.
Side Dishes
This sauce loves classic cookout fare: think charred corn on the cob, cool coleslaw, potato salad, or lightly grilled veggies. A basket of soft rolls or cornbread is the perfect way to sop up every drop!
Creative Ways to Present
For a playful twist, try serving the Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce in mini mason jars, as a drizzle over grilled chicken sliders, or brushed onto a grilled pizza crust! It’s a show-stopper in BBQ gift baskets, too—just tie the jar with a cute ribbon and a handwritten label.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
Keep any extra sauce in an airtight jar or container in the refrigerator. It stays fresh and tasty for about a week—which means you’ll want to plan a few more grilled dinners!
Freezing
Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce freezes surprisingly well. Pour cooled sauce into freezer-safe containers or ice cube trays (for single servings), leaving a little space for expansion, and freeze for up to three months.
Reheating
To reheat, thaw in the fridge if frozen, then warm gently on the stove or in 20-second bursts in the microwave. Give it a stir—if it thickens too much, just splash in a bit of cola or water to bring it back to dipping perfection.
FAQs
-
Can I use diet or zero-sugar cherry cola?
Yes! While regular cherry cola gives the richest flavor and a hint of caramelization, you can absolutely swap in diet or zero-sugar varieties if you prefer or need to reduce sugar—just note that artificial sweeteners can slightly affect the thickness and depth of the sauce.
-
What can I substitute for Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub?
If you don’t have the branded rub, go for any sweet-and-smoky BBQ seasoning you love. Or, quickly mix up paprika, brown sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, and a pinch of cayenne for a homemade alternative.
-
Is it necessary to blend the sauce, or can I leave it chunky?
The blending step makes your Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce lusciously smooth and coats food beautifully. However, if you love a bit of texture or visible cherry pieces, no harm in keeping it a little rustic—just mash with a potato masher before serving.
-
Can this sauce be canned or preserved for longer storage?
This recipe is best for refrigerator or freezer storage as written. For shelf-stable canning, you’d need to adjust acidity and follow safe canning guidelines—consult a reputable source or use a tested BBQ sauce canning recipe for longer-term preservation.
Final Thoughts
If you’re craving a BBQ sauce that’s both playful and crave-worthy, this Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce will be your new go-to. Give it a try at your next cookout and watch everyone come back for more—because homemade is always best, and a little cherry cola twist makes every barbecue unforgettable!
Print
Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce Recipe
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 30 minutes
- Yield: 16 servings 1x
- Category: Sauce
- Method: Simmering, Blending
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
A tangy and sweet Cherry Cola BBQ Sauce that adds a unique twist to your barbecue dishes. This sauce combines the flavors of cherry cola, sweet cherries, and a blend of spices for a delicious finish to grilled meats.
Ingredients
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup ketchup
- 1 cup cherry cola
- 1/2 cup sweet cherries, pits removed
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
- 2 tablespoons molasses
- 2 tablespoons Hey Grill Hey Sweet Rub
Instructions
- Bring to a boil: Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil.
- Reduce heat and simmer: Simmer the sauce for 20 minutes, allowing it to cook down and thicken.
- Blend the sauce: Cool slightly, then blend until smooth.
- Use and store: Sauce can be used immediately or stored in a lidded jar in the refrigerator for up to 1 week.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2 tablespoons
- Calories: 80
- Sugar: 15g
- Sodium: 200mg
- Fat: 0g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 0g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 20g
- Fiber: 0g
- Protein: 0g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
