Homemade Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe

Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe brings together sweet cherry soda, tangy vinegar, ketchup, smoky spices, and savory seasonings for a rich homemade sauce.

I find the flavor delicious because the cherry sweetness balances the sharp vinegar and gentle heat from cayenne and red pepper flakes.

I made this Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe after watching a barbecue cooking video where Cheerwine inspired the sauce, and I wanted to create my own version at home.

I will now show how I prepare Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe step by step, from mixing the ingredients to simmering and blending the sauce until smooth.

What Does this Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe Taste Like?

The Cheerwine BBQ Sauce has a sweet, tangy flavor led by cherry soda and ketchup, followed by a rich molasses note and gentle smokiness.

I notice the apple cider vinegar keeps the sweetness balanced, while Worcestershire sauce adds savory depth. Smoked paprika, liquid smoke, black pepper, and BBQ seasoning bring a warm barbecue character.

Cayenne and red pepper flakes add a mild kick that builds gradually. The butter gives the finished sauce a smooth, rich texture. I especially like how the cherry flavor adds a distinct twist to classic barbecue sauce.

How To Prepare Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe?

Recipe Overview

Preparation Time: 10 minutes

Cooking Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

Course: Sauce

Difficulty: Easy

Cuisine: American

Yield: 3 cups

Serving Size: 2 tablespoons

Main Kitchen Utensils

• Medium saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon
• Immersion blender
• Fine mesh strainer

Ingredients

• 1 cup Cheerwine cherry soda
• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons molasses or packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ medium sweet onion, roughly chopped, or 1 small shallot
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon Meat Church Holy Cow seasoning
• 1 tablespoon BBQ rub of your choice

How To Make Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe

Step 1

Add the Cheerwine, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, yellow mustard, molasses or brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion, cayenne pepper, liquid smoke, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Holy Cow seasoning, and BBQ rub to a medium saucepan. Stir well to combine.

Step 2

Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Step 3

Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Carefully blend with an immersion blender until smooth. For an ultra-smooth BBQ sauce, pass it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining onion or other solids.

Step 4

Return the sauce to the saucepan over low heat. Add the butter and stir until fully melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to a clean, airtight container.

Nutrition Facts Of Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe

About The Sauce

Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe is a flavorful Southern inspired barbecue sauce that combines the fruity sweetness of Cheerwine cherry soda with tangy apple cider vinegar, rich ketchup, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and smoky spices.

The addition of garlic, cayenne, red pepper flakes, liquid smoke, and BBQ seasonings creates a delicious balance of sweet, smoky, tangy, and mildly spicy flavors. Butter adds richness and a smooth finish.

This versatile Cheerwine BBQ Sauce is perfect for ribs, pulled pork, chicken, burgers, brisket, and smoked meats, making Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe an excellent homemade finishing or dipping sauce.

The main specialty is its distinctive cherry sweet, smoky, tangy BBQ flavor, created by using Cheerwine cherry soda as a key ingredient.

My Tips For Making This Recipe

1. Keep the heat at medium low once the sauce starts bubbling. A gentle simmer gives the Cheerwine, ketchup, vinegar, spices, and seasonings time to blend while reducing the sauce to a rich consistency.

2. Give the sauce a taste near the end of cooking. I like to adjust the balance at this stage. Add a little vinegar for extra tang, brown sugar for more sweetness, or cayenne for additional heat.

3. Liquid smoke has a strong flavor, so a small amount goes a long way. Start with the recommended teaspoon and adjust carefully if you want a deeper smoky taste.

4. Blending the cooked onion creates a smoother sauce and distributes its flavor throughout the mixture. For an especially silky texture, strain the sauce after blending.

5. Brush the sauce onto ribs, chicken, pork, or other smoked meats during the final stage of cooking. The sugars can caramelize quickly over high heat, so adding it too early may cause the sauce to burn.

Usage Suggestions

Brush it over chicken wings, ribs, pork chops, or grilled chicken during the final few minutes of cooking. Spoon it over pulled pork sandwiches for extra sweetness and tang.

Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe also works nicely as a dipping sauce for chicken tenders, fries, and onion rings. For burgers, spread a thin layer over the bun before adding the meat.

I can also drizzle a little over grilled vegetables or roasted potatoes when I want a smoky, cherry flavored finish.

Best Variations

1. For more heat, increase the cayenne pepper to ½ teaspoon and add another ½ teaspoon of red pepper flakes. A small amount of hot sauce can also bring extra kick without changing the sauce’s texture.

2. Replace the molasses or brown sugar with 2 tablespoons of honey. The honey gives the sauce a smoother sweetness and helps create a glossy finish when brushed onto grilled or smoked meat.

3. Add 2 tablespoons of bourbon during the simmering stage. Let the sauce cook uncovered so the bourbon blends into the other flavors. I recommend keeping the heat moderate to prevent the sugary ingredients from scorching.

4. For a deeper smoked flavor, add another ½ teaspoon of liquid smoke and increase the smoked paprika to 1½ teaspoons. This version works especially well alongside smoked pork, ribs, and chicken.

5. For a brighter flavor, increase the apple cider vinegar to ⅓ cup and use brown sugar instead of molasses. The extra acidity balances the cherry soda’s sweetness and gives the sauce a sharper barbecue finish.

How To Make More Delicious

To make the Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe even more delicious, I focus on balancing sweetness, tang, smokiness, and heat. Letting it simmer slowly helps the cherry soda and seasonings develop a richer flavor.

I can add a little extra smoked paprika or liquid smoke for deeper barbecue character. For more sweetness, a small spoonful of brown sugar works well.

If I prefer more tang, I add a splash of apple cider vinegar. A pinch of cayenne or red pepper flakes can increase the heat without masking the cherry flavor.

Storage And Shelf Life

Store the cooled sauce in a clean, airtight glass jar or container and refrigerate promptly. It will keep well in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Always use a clean spoon when serving to help maintain freshness.

For longer storage, freeze the Cheerwine BBQ Sauce in small, freezer safe portions for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator, then gently reheat on the stovetop before serving.

Frequently Asked Questions

Conclusion

Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe is an easy homemade recipe that brings sweet cherry flavor, smoky depth, tangy brightness, and gentle heat together in one delicious sauce.

I love how simple ingredients create such a rich barbecue taste. My easy success comes from simmering the Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe slowly until it becomes thick, smooth, and flavorful.

I hope you will make this Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe soon and enjoy it on ribs, chicken, pulled pork, burgers, or your favorite smoked meats. Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe homemade flavor will make every bite memorable and delicious.

Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe

Fatema

Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe is a flavorful Southern inspired barbecue sauce that combines the fruity sweetness of Cheerwine cherry soda with tangy apple cider vinegar, rich ketchup, molasses, Worcestershire sauce, and smoky spices.

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 25 minutes mins

Total Time 35 minutes mins

Course Sauce

Cuisine American

Servings 2 tablespoons

Calories 55 kcal

Equipment

• Medium saucepan
• Measuring cups and spoons
• Wooden spoon
• Immersion blender
• Fine mesh strainer

Ingredients

  

• 1 cup Cheerwine cherry soda
• 1 cup ketchup
• ¼ cup apple cider vinegar
• 2 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon yellow mustard
• 2 tablespoons molasses or packed brown sugar
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• ¼ medium sweet onion roughly chopped, or 1 small shallot
• ¼ teaspoon cayenne pepper
• 1 teaspoon liquid smoke
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 1 teaspoon coarse black pepper
• ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon Meat Church Holy Cow seasoning
• 1 tablespoon BBQ rub of your choice

Instructions

 

Step 1

• Add the Cheerwine, ketchup, apple cider vinegar, Worcestershire sauce, tomato paste, yellow mustard, molasses or brown sugar, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion, cayenne pepper, liquid smoke, black pepper, red pepper flakes, Holy Cow seasoning, and BBQ rub to a medium saucepan. Stir well to combine.

Step 2

• Bring the sauce to a gentle simmer over medium heat. Reduce the heat to low and cook for 20–25 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced and is thick enough to coat the back of a spoon.

Step 3

• Remove the saucepan from the heat and let the sauce cool slightly. Carefully blend with an immersion blender until smooth. For an ultra-smooth BBQ sauce, pass it through a fine-mesh strainer to remove any remaining onion or other solids.

Step 4

• Return the sauce to the saucepan over low heat. Add the butter and stir until fully melted and incorporated. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Let the sauce cool completely before transferring it to a clean, airtight container.

Notes

Nutrition Facts

Calories: 55 kcal | Protein: 0.5 g | Carbohydrates: 12 g | Fat: 1.2 g | Sugar: 9 g | Sodium: 330 mg | Fiber: 0.4 g

Keyword Cheerwine BBQ Sauce Recipe

Fatema