Sweet Tea & Apple BBQ Sauce

After moving to Charlotte, I’ve learned that Sweet Tea is a staple, and is a perfect match for just about anything. I do love a cold glass of sweet tea, I’m not going to sit here and pretend I don’t. Lemonade is still my drink of choice, but any time I go to a BBQ restaurant, sweet tea is definitely my go to. Or my soft drink of choice I should say 😉.

Since sweet tea goes so well with BBQ, I figured I would make a BBQ sauce using sweet tea. While buying ingredients for the BBQ sauce, I came across Milo’s sweet tea. Milo’s sweet tea was the perfect tea in my Sweet Tea & Apple BBQ sauce.

I used ketchup as a base for the sauce, I added Milo’s sweet tea, some apple cider, brown sugar, and seasoned the sauce with salt, pepper, granulated garlic, granulated onion, paprika, chili powder, an apple and believe it or not allspice. All of the ingredients went into the pot and simmered about 20 minutes. Once the sauce has simmered, I scooped out the apples and blended them in a small food processor. It helped the sauce thicken a bit.

This BBQ sauce was so much better than any store bought BBQ sauce I’ve ever had, and I’m not just saying that. Actually usually when I buy BBQ sauce, I always end up mixing it with something else anyway. It was easy to make, and it didn’t take long to make. It was the perfect blend of sweet and tangy.

Sweet Tea & Apple BBQ Sauce

This homemade BBQ Sauce is the right combination of sweet and tangy.  It is a great addition to any grilled meat, and its super easy to make. 

Makes 3 cups of BBQ Sauce

• 2 cups Ketchup
• 1 cup Apple Cider
• 1 cup Sweet Tea
• 1 cup Brown Sugar
• 1 tsp Granulated Onion
• 1 tsp Granulated Garlic
• 1/2 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Paprika
• 1/2 tsp Pepper
• 1/2 tsp Allspice
• 1/2 tsp Chili Powder
• 1 small Apple (diced)

1. Place all ingredients except in a pan over medium heat. 
   

   2. Stir to combine. 

   3. Bring sauce to a simmer, reduce heat to low, and simmer for about 20 minutes. 

   4. When apple is fork tender, puree apples and add them back to the sauce. 

   5. Remove from heat, and serve with your favorite grilled meat.