Smoky Rubbed Chicken Wings With Honey, Bourbon and Molasses Sauce

Serves 6.

Note: Wingettes (sometimes called drumettes) are wings that have been chopped between the joints, with wing tips discarded or saved for another use. Do it yourself or buy already chopped. Plan ahead as wingettes are refrigerated with rub for several hours. If you prefer, these can be grilled over medium indirect heat (about 400 degrees) for about 40 minutes. Add the sauce before they are almost done. From "Share," by Chris Santos, with Rick Rodgers.

• 1 c. store-bought spicy barbecue sauce

• 1 c. tomato ketchup

• 1/4 c. molasses (not blackstrap)

• 1/2 c. bourbon ( Maker's Mark works well)

• 1/2 c. honey

• 2 tbsp. cider vinegar

• 1/3 c. packed light brown sugar

• 1 tbsp. kosher salt

• 1 tbsp. ground coriander seeds

• 1 tsp. sweet smoked paprika

• 1 1/2 tsp. ground cumin

• 1 1/2 tsp. dried thyme

• 1/2 tsp. ground allspice

• 1/2 tsp. ground ginger

• 1/2 tsp. hot red pepper flakes

• 3/4 tsp. celery salt

• 3/4 tsp. freshly ground black pepper

• 3/4 tsp. cayenne pepper

• 1/4 tsp. dry mustard

• 1/4 tsp. garlic powder

• 5 1/2 lb. chicken wingettes (see Note)

Directions

To make the sauce: Combine barbecue sauce, ketchup, molasses, bourbon, honey and vinegar in a medium pan. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, whisking often. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, whisking occasionally to discourage scorching, until lightly thickened and reduced by one-quarter, about 30 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool. (Sauce can be refrigerated for up to 2 weeks.)

To make the rub: In a small bowl, whisk brown sugar, salt, coriander, paprika, cumin, thyme, allspice, ginger, red pepper flakes, celery salt, black pepper, cayenne, dry mustard and garlic powder.

To prepare the chicken: Place wingettes in a very large bowl and toss with rub. Divide among 2 (1-gallon) self-sealing plastic bags, seal and refrigerate for at least 4 hours or overnight.

Position racks in top third and center of oven. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Line 2 (13- by 18-inch) half-sheet pans with aluminum foil for easy cleanup.

Spread wingettes on baking sheets, spacing well apart. Roast, turning wings over and switching positions of baking sheets from top to bottom and front to back halfway through cooking, until wings are crisp and cooked through, about 40 minutes. During last 5 minutes, brush wings with some of the sauce. Remove wings from oven.

Position a broiler about 8 inches from source of heat and preheat broiler on high. In batches, broil wings to caramelize sauce in spots, about 3 minutes. Serve hot, with leftover sauce passed on side.