Here’s to the out-of-season cookout, when intrepid grillers brave the blustery winds of winter and early spring to bring burgers, hot dogs, and other char-marked delights to the dinner table. There is no wrong time of year to enjoy a well-cooked hamburger. But sometimes, cold weather calls for a heartier condiment than simple ketchup.

The folks at Burger Up, in Nashville, Tennessee’s 12 South neighborhood, have just the thing. To complement the Benton’s bacon and Tennessee white cheddar cheese on their popular Woodstock burger, they slather on a housemade ketchup fortified with whiskey and maple syrup. The robust spread works wonders on fries, burgers, hot dogs, grilled-cheese sandwiches, and just about anything else to which you might apply a squirt of Heinz. Using a commercial ketchup base, you can mix up a cookout-sized batch in the time it takes to simmer half a cup of whiskey.

Burger Up’s Jack Daniel's Maple Ketchup

½ cup Jack Daniel's, reduced by a quarter
2 cups ketchup
½ cup high-quality maple syrup

In a saucepan over low heat* reduce Jack Daniels by ¼ or less (the alcohol will burn off). Remove from heat and cool. Then add ketchup and maple syrup, mixing well before storing or serving.

*Always use caution when cooking with alcohol, as it is highly flammable.