Kansas City Red

To make finger-licking-good ribs, one must use a delicious homemade barbecue sauce. mphillips007/Getty Images

Here’s a fun version of the classic Kansas City sweet red barbecue sauce with an exotic undertone. You’ll know the raspberries are in there but can offer a prize to the guest who guesses the secret ingredient. And the best part of this sauce is that it’s quick and easy. Liquid smoke is optional here, but it adds a nice dimension.

Total time: 30 minutes Makes 2 cups

• 1/2 cup bourbon
• 1 cup ketchup
• 1/2 cup Smucker’s Seedless Red Raspberry Jam (see Note)
• 1/4 cup honey
• 1/4 cup apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco Chipotle Sauce (see Note)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon Morton Coarse Kosher Salt
• 2 tablespoons liquid smoke

Cook off the alcohol: In a saucepan, bring the bourbon to a boil. Continue to boil until you have only 2 to 3 tablespoons left. The alcohol will be mostly gone so it is child-safe, but the elixir that remains will have a rich, woody, smoky flavor. If you don’t have bourbon or don’t want to do this step, use 2 more tablespoons liquid smoke.