Whiskey BBQ Sauce

BBQ Sauce with Sauerland Rye Whiskey and Homemade Strawberry Syrup

Königskind BBQ Sauce with Whiskey is a savory and complex barbecue sauce made from sun-ripened tomatoes, onions, and a generous splash of Sauerland rye whiskey, seasoned with homemade strawberry syrup and a hint of honey – handcrafted by Uwe König in his small gourmet manufactory in the Oberberg region. A sophisticated companion for bratwurst, flank steak, ribeye, and slow-braised meats.

The BBQ Sauce with Whiskey from Königskind is a savory, complex barbecue sauce from the Oberberg region. Sun-ripened tomatoes are simmered with onions, vinegar, honey, mustard seeds, spices, and salt, then seasoned with homemade strawberry syrup from their own gourmet manufactory and a generous splash of Sauerland rye whiskey (contains alcohol). Uwe König consistently avoids artificial flavors, colors, preservatives, and flavor enhancers.

Fruity, savory, with smoky whiskey depth and a note of strawberry

Once opened, a multi-layered aroma emerges – first the stewed tomatoes, warm and slightly caramelly, then the fruity clarity of the strawberry syrup, and, in the background, the smoky, warm depth of the Sauerland rye whiskey, which lies over everything like a fine veil. The color is a deep, rich red with a warm brown shimmer; the consistency is pleasantly thick and spoonable, with fine onion bits and a slight texture from the mustard seeds.

On the tongue, the sauce begins with the full sweetness of the tomato, complemented by the honey, followed by the surprising note of strawberry that lifts the profile fruitily, followed by onion and mustard seeds with their savory texture. Finally, the whiskey emerges with its smoky, warm depth, lending the grilled food a sophisticated character. An ambitious BBQ sauce that leaves classic ketchup versions far behind and invites full palate engagement.

For flank steak, ribeye, and bratwurst

The BBQ Sauce with Whiskey is intended for the more sophisticated cuts on the grill. A well-aged flank steak with its characteristic grain, a ribeye with marbling, or a porterhouse steak cooked over a wood fire really bring it to the forefront. The whiskey note deepens the meat flavors, the strawberry depth breaks them up, and the mustard seeds provide spice. The sauce also unfolds its full aroma with bratwurst, spareribs, or pulled pork cooked for 8 hours.

For steak, the best way is via the meat juices: spoon 1 tablespoon of the BBQ sauce onto the sliced meat after letting it rest – the heat releases the aroma, and the meat juices combine with the sauce to create a light jus that crowns the cut. As a marinade before grilling, 4 tablespoons per 500g of meat, applied 3 hours before grilling, are sufficient for the meat to absorb the flavors.

Warm grilled cheeses like halloumi and hearty oven bakes with potatoes and cheese are also great options – the whiskey depth gives the vegetarian dish a sophisticated complexity. You can find further companions from the Königskind kitchen in the BBQ Sauce with Country Beer, the Balsamic Onions, and the robust Fig Mustard. You can find more in our Königskind collection.

Königskind meets Sauerland – Whiskey and strawberry syrup from in-house production

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

A special feature of the BBQ Sauce with Whiskey is the homemade strawberry syrup, which Uwe König prepares from strawberries, sugar, water, and lime juice in his own kitchen – an extra step that makes all the difference compared to industrial competitors. The Sauerland rye whiskey comes from a small regional distillery and gives the sauce its characteristic smoky depth. In addition to the BBQ sauce with whiskey, we also carry BBQ sauce with country beer, balsamic onions, chutneys, mustards, and fruit spreads from the same kitchen.