Frank’s RedHot Hot Sauce – that zesty cayenne sauce that’s the key ingredient in Buffalo wings, America’s No. 1 hot sauce, the one that’s advertised with the tagline, “I put that on everything” – was created more than 100 years ago in Cincinnati.
If you didn’t know that last fact, you might be excused. Even the brand’s website doesn’t mention Cincinnati in its history, instead focusing on the Louisiana connection.
But make no mistake, Frank’s RedHot was born and bottled in the Queen City, produced by the Frank Tea and Spice Co., and first put on shelves in 1920.
Image: Kotaku Australia
1. Hickory BBQ
This was my favourite sauce of the bunch. It had a nice, smoky flavour that didn’t feel overwhelming and there was plenty of sauce to lick after. Whatever BBQ sauce is on these is absolutely fab and struck an excellent balance between sweet and savoury. Give me these wings any day of the week.
2. Frank’s Red Hot Sauce
Okay, so this mini wing review needs to be prefaced with a disclaimer: the ‘hot sauce’ here is white people spicy, rather than being a mouth-burning flavour. It’s just got a tiny zing (which was great for me) but if you’re looking for something genuinely spicy, you won’t find it here. Instead, you get a lovely sweet-and-sour style flavour with a hint of chilli just creeping into the aftertaste. Very pleasant overall!
and 825 N. Monroe St.
No one has ever accused Ruins chef Joseph O’Neal’s recipes of having a lack of spice. Now you can have that heat at home for the holidays. After years of calculating his craft of chilis, O’Neal is packaging his peppery passion. He has traveled all over the world learning flavors and techniques that give his new product line legs. More than half of his first batch has already been sold since launching last week.
What to buy: All five of his current products for $60, but a single jar for $12.95 is a perfect stocking stuffer. Start with the Nashville Hot Chili Oil. You won’t find a product like it in retail stores. Just dab a bit onto fried chicken, and you’ll be sending chef a Christmas card this year.