Chipotle Bourbon BBQ Sauce

Good for pork, chicken, shrimp - you name it.

• Ready In: 50 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 3 cups

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons unsalted butter
• 1  small onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
• 2  garlic cloves, very finely chopped
• 1 1⁄4 cups ketchup
• 1⁄4 cup Bourbon
• 2  tablespoons cider vinegar
• 2  tablespoons  balsamic vinegar
• 2  tablespoons molasses
• 2  tablespoons honey
• 1  chipotle chile in adobo, chopped (reserve some adobo sauce if you like more heat and smoky flavor)
• 1  teaspoon fresh thyme, chopped
• 1⁄2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
•  kosher  salt & freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1. In a medium saucepan, melt the butter. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the ketchup, bourbon, vinegars, molasses, honey, chipotle, thyme and cayenne. Taste; if you like more heat and smoky flavor, add reserved adobo sauce. Simmer over low heat, until thickened, about 40 minutes.
2. Transfer the barbecue sauce to a blender or use immersion blender and puree until smooth. Season to taste with salt and pepper.