I’d like to make my own barbecue sauce but am not sure where to start. Any suggestions?

Most American barbecue sauces are based on either ketchup, tomato sauce, or mustard, so I’d start with one of those three (they taste pretty good already, so all you need to do is make them taste better). Add some sort of sweetener (sugar, honey, and/or molasses, for example) and some sort of acid (vinegar, lemon juice, wine) to offset the sweetness. Add aromatics, like onion or garlic, for depth of flavor, and something fiery, like hot sauce or ginger, for bite.

Many American barbecue sauces contain liquid smoke to reinforce the smoke flavor of the meats. (Contrary to the belief of some people, liquid smoke is a natural ingredient.) Add at least one unexpected ingredient (the short list of options might include coffee, cola, pureed fruit, bourbon, or another spirit) to give your sauce personality. Remember—the two most important ingredients in any barbecue sauce are originality and balance. And also remember: It’s essential to write down what you add as you make the sauce, so you can duplicate it.