The 10 Best Hot Sauces At NYC's First Annual Hot Sauce Expo

Last weekend we were put on to some seriously awesome sauce.

Apr 25, 2013
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Sampling hot sauce until your tongue becomes lacerated and reviving it with a cold IPA—is there a better way to spend a spring day? We don't think so.

This past Sunday, we attended the 1st Annual NYC Hot Sauce Expo at Williamsburg's East River State Park, where more than 40 hot sauce vendors had set up shop. Using tortilla chips and cheese (to soothe that capsacin-burn) as a conduit, we subjected our mouths to over two dozen types of hot sauce, intermittently returning to the open bar to wash the pain away.

In addition to hot sauce reps hawking their wares, there were also samples of Empire Biscuit's Southern-style biscuits smothered in jam, savory Jarlsberg grilled cheese sandwiches, and some seriously spicy margaritas made with Tanteo Jalapeno Tequila.  We also witnessed John Krasnow win three spicy food challenges, consuming ghost-chili laden cookies, brownies and pizza. A brave soul, and our new hero, obviously.

We weren't as fearless as Krasnow was, but we did get into some sauces on the high end of the Scoville scale. Here are some of our favorites: The 10 Best Hot Sauces At NYC's Hot Sauce Expo.

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10. Rocky's Lime Hot Sauce

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This zesty sauce has the brightness of lime while still leaving a pleasurable tingle. When warm weather comes, this will be our go-to hot sauce for micheladas.

9. Ouch My Roids Tapestry

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It may have the most unappealing name in the history of hot sauces, but this eclectic sauce is actually awesome. A diverse blend of heat sources including cayenne, habanero, jalapeno, hot cherry, serrano and thai chili, make for a complex sauce that is as spicy as it is subtly sweet, thanks to the addition of honey and molasses.

8. Bonfatto's Apple Pepper Jack Sauce

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This thick, hearty sauce is unlike any other we tried at the Expo. Brown sugar, cinnamon, and Jack Daniels Whiskey bring a caramel-like sweetness and consistency, but still managed to leave a subtle burn. A drinkable hot sauce, if we ever tasted one.

7. Ojeda's Cherry Habanero

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Nothing calms a habanero-soaked tongue like a hint of something tart and fruity, in this case, cherries. Twisted Sister guitarist Eddie Ojeda ventures into spicy territory, and the result is hardcore deliciousness. Also, no big deal, he signed our bottle.

6. Puckerbutt's I Dare You Stupit Ghost Chili

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You know the name of the game when it comes to ghost chilis, and Puckerbutt delivers on it's promise. Or, should we say, dare. A powerful spice that is best in small, measured doses but that still has discernible flavor, thanks to being layered with rice vinegar.

5. A&B American Style Pepper Sauce

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A bright, carrot-based condiment with the consistency of hearty tomato sauce. It has a bite, but it's subtle enough that it can be applied liberally. A sauce you'll want to pair with everything; we tried it in a Bloody Mary's with Tito's Vodka and it made our morning.

4. Rippin' Red Forbidden Angel Habanero

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Forbidden Angel is a fittingly ominous name for this habanero-based sauce. Guava, pumpkin, and lime save this concoction from going to the too-spicy side. Instead, we're left with a nuanced sauce that brings the heat and the flavor.

3. Dirty Dick's Hot Sauce

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It might not sound like something you'd want to put in your mouth (pause), but gimmicky name aside, Dick delivers the goods with a habanero sauce that's as spicy as it is flavorful, thanks to the addition of mangos and pineapples. It's subtle fruitness and bold spice earned it the top spot in Screaming Mimi's fruit-based sauce division.

2. NW Elixirs No. 3 Hott Smoke

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This took the second place spot in Screaming MiMi's chipotle division, and it's easy to see why. A rich smoky flavor that somehow manages to capture the savoriness of a slice of brisket in a single drop. You know, if your brisket had been smothered in chipotle.

1. Mild to Wild Pepper & Herb Co.,Ralph's Righteous Habanero Sauce

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A chunky, full-flavored habanero sauce offset by a salt and vingar kick. It's hard to imagine what this wouldn't pair well with.

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