Name: Cherry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 50 min
Ingredients: 1 tablespoon olive oil; 1 cup diced yellow onions; 3 large cloves garlic, minced; 0.5 cup good quality bourbon ((I used Four Roses)); 1 cup ketchup; 1 cup light brown sugar; 1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce; 0.5 teaspoon chipotle chili powder; 3 cups pitted, fresh cherries; sea salt and ground black pepper to taste

This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, please visit my disclosure page.

Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

Cherry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce is the perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy to top your chicken, pork, or anything else you choose to throw on the grill!!

A glass jar overflowing with cherry barbecue sauce surrounded by fresh cherries.

Spring has asparagus, peas, and all things pastel. Summer has peaches, cherries, and all things outdoor…like grilling, pool parties, and family gatherings. This week we will be celebrating all things cherry, because it sounded like a fun thing to do and I could not decide which recipe I wanted to make featuring cherries.

A big thank you to all of you on Facebook that voted!! This Cherry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce was a runner up in the vote, and Cherry Whiskey Smash Cocktail won!

I decided to change things up a bit with this cherry bourbon barbecue sauce recipe. I added less sugar, no vinegar since the cherries were quite tart on their own, and the cooking time is shorter because there is also less liquid to simmer down. The thickness is coming from the cherries themselves, and bourbon was an obvious choice to add a little something, something to push the flavors over the top. Because who doesn’t want over the top flavors, right?

How to make Cherry Whiskey Barbecue Sauce:

Heat oil in a medium-sized sauce pan over medium heat. Add the onions and cook until softened, stirring frequently to keep them from burning or sticking.

Add the garlic, stir and cook for one minute. Slowly pour in the bourbon {it will steam up on you}, ketchup, brown sugar, Worcestershire, and chili powder.

Ketchup, brown sugar, bourbon and spices mixed with the onions in a saucepan.

Bring to a boil and add the cherries.

Fresh cherries added to the boiling barbecue sauce.

Simmer for 10 to 15 minutes, until slightly thickened and the cherries start to breakdown.

Cherries and barbecue sauce simmering in a saucepan.

*I smashed my cherries with a potato masher to make sure they were soft.

Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly. Pour into a blender, DO NOT SEAL THE LID, and puree until smooth.

Store in the refrigerator until ready to use.

Pulled Pork Sandwich topped with Cherry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce with a jar of sauce in the background.

That delicious pulled pork sandwich you see above was made with leftover Instant Pot Kalua Pork. Tomorrow I will be creating a Cherry Bourbon Barbecue Pork Pizza with the remaining Kalua Pork, yum! I also have a package of Chicken Thighs waiting their turn to be doused in this yummy sauce!! I think this sauce will be delicious on everything!

What would you put this Cherry Bourbon Barbecue Sauce on?

Recipe Notes & Tools that were used:

{contains Amazon affiliate links}

I used Four Roses Single Barrel Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey because I wanted a smooth flavor profile that would not be too harsh.
For a spicier sauce, add more chipotle chili powder, or sriracha.
No the alcohol does not completely cook out of the sauce, but it is also not overpowering for little ones. Yes, I did just say that. My kids grew up eating foods with alcohol in them and very rarely even noticed. Knob Creek is too strong for those who are not bourbon/whiskey fans!
I used this Potato Masher to smoosh my cherries.
Never puree HOT liquids in your blender without leaving a way for the steam to escape. My Ninja Blender has a lidded spout that can be left unsealed. My KitchenAid blender has a clear center in the top that can be removed. Place a dish towel over the opening to prevent splatters.
I finally got myself a Cherry Pitter Tool, I should not have waited so long…soooo much easier!!

You can see the rest of my favorite kitchen tools and gadgets here in my Amazon Affiliate Page. I earn a small commission when you purchase through my links, at no cost to you, so I can keep bringing you more delicious recipes!

More delicious barbecue sauce recipes:

Pineapple Bourbon Barbecue Sauce
Tangy and Sassy Barbecue Sauce {alcohol free}
Guinness Barbecue Sauce
Bourbon and Brown Sugar Barbecue Sauce
Cherry Chipotle Barbecue Sauce
Ancho-Orange Barbecue Sauce {Whole30/Paleo}
Peach Bourbon Barbecue Sauce

If you love this recipe, please rate it five stars and help me share on facebook and to help other readers in our community!

Enjoy!!