1 cup strong black coffee
1 cup A1 Bold (you can use 1 cup Worcestershire plus 1/4 teaspoon cayenne sauce)
1 cup ketchup
1/2 cup apple cider or red wine vinegar
1/2 cup brown sugar
1/4 cup dark corn syrup or molasses
3 tablespoons chili powder
1 teaspoon pepper
1 medium white onion, chopped finely
6-8 cloves minced garlic
(I put the garlic in the food processor and process it till it’s fine, and then add the onion, quartered, till it is chopped.)
Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and simmer for 25 minutes in a well-ventilated kitchen. This is pungent as it cooks. If you prefer, you can strain it, or process it in the food processor or blender to smooth the texture. I usually cover the ribs with the sauce while it is still hot, and let them sit in it till the grill is ready, refrigerated, up to overnight. Refrigerate the remaining sauce for basting the ribs. It should caramelize on the ribs and turn very dark, almost black.