We love making barbecue sauce at home, and this Whiskey Coke Barbecue Sauce is an incredibly simple, flavorful option to top pulled pork, smoked beef, grilled chicken wings, or any of your favorite barbecue dishes. It blends the caramel sweetness of cola with the warm, oaky notes of bourbon for a sauce that is both familiar and slightly unexpected—sweet, tangy, and just a touch spicy.
Whiskey Coke Barbecue Sauce Recipe
Homemade BBQ sauce is quick to prepare and easy to adapt. This recipe uses pantry basics—cola, brown sugar, ketchup, and mustard—plus bourbon and a splash of vinegar for balance. It comes together on the stove in less than 30 minutes, and you can adjust sweetness, heat, or tang to suit your taste. Use it as a finishing glaze on ribs, a dunking sauce for wings, or a mop for pulled pork during the last stage of cooking.
Try this on my Smoked Pulled Pork
Recipe Shopping List
Before you start, check your pantry for these essentials. Quantities are listed in the recipe card below.
- Coca-Cola or similar cola
- Bourbon whiskey
- Brown sugar
- Worcestershire sauce
- Ketchup
- Yellow mustard
- Apple cider vinegar
- Red pepper flakes
Cherry Dr. Pepper Barbecue Sauce
How To Make This Recipe
Here’s a concise overview of the cooking steps so you know what to expect. Use the full ingredient measurements and details in the recipe card below when you cook.
- Reduce: Combine the cola and bourbon in a saucepan and simmer until reduced by about one-third. This concentrates the flavors and burns off most of the alcohol.
- Mix: Stir in the brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, vinegar, and red pepper flakes until smooth.
- Simmer: Continue to simmer gently, stirring frequently, for about five minutes to meld flavors and thicken slightly.
- Serve: Use immediately as a glaze or topping, or cool and store for later use.
3-2-1 Ribs
Recipe FAQ
Yes. This sauce keeps well in the refrigerator for 5–6 days. If you want to store it longer, freeze portions in a sealed container or freezer bag. This recipe has not been tested for canning, so freezing is the safer long-term option.
What’s the best way to store leftovers?
Store leftover sauce in clean jars or airtight containers in the fridge. Pourable lids or small sauce bottles work well for easy serving.
Any recommended substitutions or additions?
The recipe is forgiving and highly customizable. Increase the whiskey for a stronger spirit flavor, try a flavored bourbon, add extra red pepper flakes if you like more heat, or add a touch more vinegar for extra tang. You can also experiment with smoked paprika, liquid smoke, or a splash of soy sauce for different flavor notes.
Smoked BBQ Beef Sandwich
More Recipes With BBQ Sauce
- Smoked BBQ Pickled Eggs make a unique game-night appetizer and are a fun way to use extra sauce.
- BBQ Smoked Sausage Bites are an easy party appetizer with big, familiar flavors.
- Try Traeger Chicken Lollipop for a crowd-pleasing chicken leg recipe that pairs well with a sweet-and-spicy glaze.
- Smoked Beef Ribs deliver deep, beefy flavor and benefit from a sauce with sweet, caramel notes.
- Homemade Smoked Baked Beans are a classic side that pairs perfectly with any barbecue main.
- Smoked Short Rib Bites are tender, rich, and excellent when finished with a bold sauce.
- Shortcut Smoked Pulled Pork combines pellet grilling and pressure cooking for fast results and delicious barbecue.
- Smoked Chuck Tender Roast is a great option for hearty, brisket-style sandwiches using your favorite sauce.
- Brisket Stuffed Bread Dough is a creative way to turn leftover smoked brisket into a new meal.
Pin For Later
Recipe Card — Whiskey Coke Barbecue Sauce
Yield: 6 servings
Prep Time: 5 minutes • Cook Time: 20 minutes • Total Time: 25 minutes
Ingredients
- 2 (12-ounce) cans Coca-Cola
- 4 ounces bourbon whiskey
- 1 cup brown sugar
- 2 teaspoons Worcestershire sauce
- 1/2 cup ketchup
- 4 tablespoons yellow mustard
- 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 1 teaspoon red pepper flakes
Instructions
- Combine the cola and bourbon in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Bring to a gentle simmer and cook until the liquid has reduced by about one-third, concentrating the flavors.
- Add the brown sugar, ketchup, mustard, Worcestershire sauce, apple cider vinegar, and red pepper flakes. Stir until the sugar dissolves and the mixture is smooth.
- Lower the heat and simmer gently, stirring frequently, for about 5 minutes more, or until the sauce slightly thickens and the flavors meld.
- Remove from heat. Use immediately as a glaze or brush on finished meats, or let cool and refrigerate for later use.
Nutrition (approximate per serving)
Calories: 240 • Total Fat: 1g • Sodium: 325mg • Carbohydrates: 49g • Fiber: 1g • Sugar: 46g • Protein: 1g
Nutrition data is an estimate.