CROIX VALLEY: Apricot Chipotle BBQ & Wing Sauce | 355ml (12oz) bottle

Sweet First, Smoke Second

Croix Valley started at kitchen tables in Hudson, Wisconsin, where a competition family kept tweaking sauces between championship cook-offs — nine world titles and counting between them. This one grew out of a simple idea: real apricot sweetness needs a real chipotle backbone to keep it honest. It's built to glaze wings without turning them into candy, and to hold its own on the smoker as well as it does on the stovetop.

The flavour

Front: ripe apricot and a touch of brown sugar, jammy rather than sticky-sweet. Middle: the chipotle arrives in waves — smoky, a little earthy, not shy about it. Finish: a lingering warmth that sits at the back of the throat rather than the front, with a faint vinegar tang pulling everything back into balance.

How to cook with it

• Toss cooked wings straight in the bottle-warm sauce, or brush it on in the last 5 minutes of grilling so the sugars caramelise instead of scorching.
• Oven method: bake wings at 200°C for 35-40 minutes, then toss and return for 5 minutes to set the glaze.
• Air-fryer method: 20 minutes at 190°C, shaking the basket halfway, then toss in sauce and give it 2 more minutes to tack up.
• Left-field use: whisk a spoonful into mayo for an apricot-chipotle aioli that turns a plain chicken sandwich into something worth queuing for.

In the bottle

A deep burnt-orange sauce, thick enough to cling to a spoon without pooling. Small flecks of chipotle are visible when held to the light, and it pours slowly with a glossy, jam-like sheen.

Ingredients & Dietary

Ingredients (from the brand's label): Sugar, Apricots, Apple Juice, Cider Vinegar, Bell Peppers, Jalapeño Peppers, Xanthan Gum, Chipotle Morita Chile Pepper.

Dietary: Vegan and gluten free (brand-stated) — always check the physical label.

The Rub Smuggler's Verdict

Sweet apricot leads the charge here, then chipotle sneaks in behind it with a proper smoky punch that lingers longer than you'd expect from something this fruity. Brush it on in the last five minutes of grilling so the sugars caramelise instead of catching bitter. For a proper double-glaze finish, follow up ribs with Smokin Mangoes BBQ Mango Habanero Rib Glaze. Dust the wings first with Atomic Chicken Charcoal Chicken Seasoning so the glaze has something to grip.

Questions answered

How hot is the Apricot Chipotle BBQ & Wing Sauce?

It's a medium heat — sweet apricot leads, with a smoky chipotle warmth that builds gradually rather than hitting all at once. It's approachable for most palates but still has real presence.

Can I use this on more than wings?

Yes — it works well as a glaze on grilled chicken thighs, pork ribs, or pork belly, and can be brushed onto vegetables like sweet potato or corn for a smoky-sweet finish.

Is this sauce gluten-free or vegan?

Croix Valley describes it as vegan and gluten free — please check the physical label for allergen and dietary information before purchase.