Cherry-Cola BBQ Sauce
Makes about 3 cups
2 Tablespoons olive oil
1 medium yellow onion, minced
1 Tablespoon fresh garlic, minced
2 liters cherry cola (regular, not sugar-free)
2 cups ketchup
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon cracked red pepper
2 teaspoons black pepper
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 teaspoons paprika
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 Tablespoon lime juice
1 teaspoon liquid smoke
2 teaspoons molasses
Heat olive oil in a heavy sauce pot and add minced onions. Cook over low heat until onions are nicely caramelized. Add garlic and cook a few more minutes. Add the cherry cola and bring to a boil.
Simmer rapidly until cherry cola is reduced to half of the original amount.
Stir in ketchup, vinegar, red pepper, black pepper, kosher salt, paprika, cumin, lime juice, liquid smoke and molasses.
Continue to simmer over very low heat until sauce becomes thick. May be refrigerated for up to a month.