Ingredients

1 cup ketchup
¼ cup apple cider vinegar
2 tbsp Worcestershire sauce
2 tbsp molasses
1 tbsp honey
1 tsp Dijon mustard
⅓ cup dark brown sugar
1½ tsp smoked paprika
1 tsp garlic powder
1 tsp onion powder
½ tsp black pepper
½ tsp kosher salt

Optional:
¼ tsp cayenne pepper
¼ tsp liquid smoke, hickory

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a medium saucepan off the heat. Whisk until smooth with no brown sugar lumps.

Set over medium-low heat. Stir constantly until the surface barely bubbles. Do not boil — boiling scorches the sugars.

Reduce to low, stirring every minute. The raw vinegar edge softens and the spices bloom.

Taste and adjust. More honey for sweetness, vinegar for tang, liquid smoke for depth, or water 1 tbsp at a time to thin.

Cool to room temp, jar it, and refrigerate at least 4 hours. Overnight is dramatically better.