ROOT BEER BQQ SAUCE

You can't be in a hurry when you make it. The first step is evaporating all but one cup of a two-liter bottle of root beer.

Root Beer Barbecue Sauce

Makes about 3 cups

1 (2-liter) bottle root beer

1-1/2 cups apple cider vinegar

1/2 cup ketchup

1/4 cup yellow mustard

2 tablespoons lemon juice

1 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce

1 tablespoon Tabasco

1 teaspoon kosher salt

1 teaspoon black pepper

2 tablespoons unsalted butter

In a large saucepan, reduce root beer to 1 cup over medium heat (takes about 1 hour).

Add vinegar, ketchup, mustard, lemon juice, Worcestershire, Tabasco, salt and pepper. Stir well to combine. Simmer 20 minutes.

Finish with butter to give the sauce extra body and flavor.