I got an email one day that asked if I was interested in coming up with a BBQ sauce using Pepsi’s new product Pepsi Natural. I’m a real big fan of Pepsi Throwback and of colas in general, so the proposition was somewhat intriguing. I’ve have seen cola BBQ sauces around and was always interested in trying one. So here it goes.
The first thing that I noticed was that the Pepsi Natural is not nearly as sweet as your standard soft drink. It’s perfectly pleasant to drink and quite refreshing, just not so super-sweet. In order to make this work without the sauce being way too watery is to reduce the Pepsi Natural into a more concentrated form. I tried it with and without the reduction technique and the reduction was the crowd favorite. The bourbon is totally optional, it worked great without it.
Here is the sauce recipe:
- 1 bottle of Pepsi Natural
- 1 can (6 oz) of tomato paste
- 1 Tbsp of mustard
- 1 Tbsp of worcestershire sauce
- 2 tbsp of your favorite BBQ rub
- 3 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 1/4 cup of brown sugar
- 1/4 tsp liquid smoke
Optional:
- 1 tbsp bourbon
Instructions:
In a medium sized sauce pan simmer the 12 oz bottle of Pepsi Natural until its volume is reduced to 4 oz. Stir in the other ingredients and remove from heat.
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- Pepsi Natural – BBQ Sauce
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- A bottle of Pepsi Natural
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- BBQ Chicken with sauce
For the chicken
- 1 family sized package of chicken thighs (around 12 pieces)
- salt
- pepper
Instructions:
Set up your grill for indirect heat. Salt and pepper the chicken thighs. Sear the skin of each chicken thigh over the direct heat, until you get some nice grill marks, then move to the cooler side of the grill (skin side up). Add some smoke chips to the direct heat and close the lid. Cook until the internal temp of your largest piece reaches 180º… around an hour or so. Five minutes before removing your chicken brush on the BBQ sauce. Remove your chicken thighs and take a bow.
13. August 2009 at 9:25 pm
This sauce looks fantastic, yum!
26. August 2009 at 3:13 pm
This makes a great a great BBQ – the bourbon adds a great taste – the first batch I did was with plain old Jack, the next with Woodford Reserve – not sure it made a difference which one I used though.
10. November 2009 at 5:21 am
Thanks for the recipe. I like this post. precise, interesting, useful! The sauce sounds delicious.
3. April 2010 at 11:32 pm
Cola in general is great as it can help to break down the proteins in the meat. This helps make sure that it is extremely tender. I love using them. I also use Root Beer from time to time.
23. April 2010 at 6:29 pm
Looks like a great recipe, I am looking forward to trying it out.
7. May 2010 at 6:44 am
Good call on using the Pepsi out of the bottle.. I think anything in a can tastes like the can. I’m sure it probably doesn’t in actuality, but in my psyche it sure does. I think I should try this recipe.. I’m sure the flavors mesh together well!
-Sylvia
19. May 2010 at 1:02 pm
Thanks for the recipe. I like this post. precise, interesting, useful! The sauce sounds delicious.
25. May 2010 at 12:19 am
It’s really a nice recipe. I’m also interesting in the sauce recipe and eager to try it out.
27. May 2010 at 9:34 am
This recipe looks amazing. Do you know of anyway to turn it into a low-fat recipe?
10. June 2010 at 5:52 pm
I was skeptical at first, but this sauce actually looks and sounds great. Now I just need to decide which BBQ rub to add. Cheers!
27. June 2010 at 11:38 am
Sounds like it would be too strange, but the pictures really make it look good! I’m going to try it!
10. August 2010 at 7:35 am
Sounds interesting… looks great. I may just have to try it.