Start by grabbing a large saucepan. Pour in the ketchup, water, and apple cider vinegar. These are the main ingredients for Bobby Flay Barbecue Sauce. Stir them together over medium heat until the mixture is smooth.

Whisk in the brown sugar, white sugar, and molasses. The molasses gives the sauce a beautiful dark color. Keep stirring so the sugar dissolves completely. You will smell the sweetness starting to caramelize slightly.

Add the onion powder, black pepper, and ground mustard. Sprinkle in the cayenne pepper if you like a little heat. Use a whisk to break up any spice clumps. This ensures every bite has the same bold flavor.

Pour in the lemon juice and the Worcestershire sauce. These ingredients add a savory depth. They help balance out the sugar. Turn the heat down to low once the sauce starts to bubble gently.

Let the sauce simmer for about 15 to 20 minutes. Do not cover the pan. This allows the extra liquid to evaporate. The sauce will become thick, glossy, and very aromatic. Stir it occasionally to prevent burning.

Remove the pan from the heat. Let the sauce cool down to room temperature. It will thicken even more as it cools. Give it a final taste to see if you want more salt or spice.