1/4 cup honey
1/4 cup diced green bell pepper
1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
1/4 cup diced yellow bell pepper
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 jalapeno chili, chopped
1 1/2 cups ketchup
3/4 cup cider vinegar, or more to taste
1/2 cup 7-Up or Sprite, or more as needed
2 tbsp dark brown sugar, or more to taste
2 tbsp apple juice
1 tsp liquid smoke
1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
Coarse salt to taste

Pour the honey into a heavy saucepan. Add
the peppers, onion, and jalapeno and saute over medium
heat until the peppers are soft and the onion translucent, for
about 5 minutes. Stir in the remaining ingredients and simmer
the sauce, uncovered, until thick and richly flavored for 15 minutes.
Transfer the sauce to a blender and puree until smooth.

Correct the seasoning, adding salt, vinegar, or brown sugar if
needed; the sauce should be sweet, smoky, and tangy. If the
sauce is too thick, thin with a little more 7-Up. Use right away
or transfer to a large jar, cover, cool to room temperature, and refrigerate