Whiskey BBQ Sauce

BBQ Sauce with Sauerland Rye Whisky and Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Königskind BBQ Sauce with Whisky is a spicy-complex barbecue sauce made from fully ripe tomatoes, onions, and a generous shot of Sauerland rye whisky, seasoned with homemade strawberry syrup and a hint of honey – handcrafted by Uwe König in the small gourmet manufactory in Oberbergisches Land. A sophisticated accompaniment for bratwurst, flank steak, ribeye, and slow-cooked meats.

The BBQ Sauce with Whisky from Königskind is a spicy-complex barbecue sauce from the Oberbergisches Land. Fully ripe tomatoes are cooked down with onions, vinegar, honey, mustard seeds, spices, and salt, then seasoned with homemade strawberry syrup from their own gourmet manufactory and a generous shot of Sauerland rye whisky (contains alcohol). Uwe König consistently avoids artificial flavors, colorings, preservatives, and flavor enhancers.

Fruity, spicy, with smoky whisky depth and a strawberry note

Once opened, a complex aroma rises – first the cooked tomatoes, warm and slightly caramel, then the fruity clarity of the strawberry syrup, and finally the smoky-warm depth of the Sauerland rye whisky, which lies like a fine veil over everything. The color is a deep, rich red with a warm brown shimmer, the consistency pleasantly thick and spoonable, with fine pieces of onion and a slight texture from the mustard seeds.

On the tongue, the sauce begins with the full sweetness of tomatoes, complemented by honey, then comes the surprising strawberry note, which lifts the whole with its fruitiness, followed by onion and mustard seeds with their spicy structure. In the finish, the whisky asserts itself with its smoky-warm depth, giving the grilled food a sophisticated character. A BBQ sauce with ambition that leaves classic ketchup versions far behind and invites full palate participation.

We love it with flank steak, ribeye, and bratwurst

The BBQ Sauce with Whisky is intended for the more elaborate cuts on the grill. It tastes best with a well-aged flank steak with its characteristic fibers, a ribeye with an eye of fat, or a porterhouse steak from a wood fire. The whisky note deepens the meat flavors, the strawberry depth brightens them, and the mustard seeds provide spice. The sauce also develops its full aroma with bratwurst, spareribs, or pulled pork cooked for 8 hours.

Our tip for the perfect steak: spoon 1 tablespoon of the BBQ sauce onto the sliced meat after it has rested – the warmth releases the aroma, and the meat juices combine with the sauce to form a small jus that crowns the piece. As a marinade before grilling, 4 tablespoons per 500g of meat are sufficient, marinated 3 hours before grilling, allowing the meat to absorb the flavors.

We also like the sauce with warm grilled cheeses like halloumi or a hearty oven casserole with potatoes and cheese – the whisky depth gives the vegetarian dish sophisticated complexity. Further accompaniments from the Königskind kitchen can be found with the BBQ Sauce with Craft Beer, the Balsamic Onions, and the strong Fig Mustard. More can be found in our Königskind collection.

Königskind meets Sauerland – Whisky and strawberry syrup from their own production

The Königskind gourmet manufactory is the passion project of Uwe König and his wife Sabine. What started as a hobby in their home kitchen in 2005, the couple expanded into a full-time business in 2014 due to the growing demand for their sauces, chutneys, and mustards. To this day, all Königskind products are cooked in the kitchen "unterm Ziegenbusch" in Wiehl – all by hand, in manageable quantities, with the care that only a small family manufactory can provide.

A special feature of the BBQ Sauce with Whisky is the homemade strawberry syrup, which Uwe König prepares from strawberries with sugar, water, and lime juice in his own kitchen – an extra step that makes the difference from industrial competition. The Sauerland rye whisky comes from a small regional distillery and gives the sauce its characteristic smoky depth. In addition to the BBQ Sauce with Whisky, we also carry BBQ Sauce with Craft Beer, Balsamic Onions, chutneys, mustards, and fruit spreads from the same kitchen.