FIVE OF A KIND

Need a little something extra in your bag? Here are five tried and trusted bottles of the hot stuff to help fire up barbecue season.

Hot sauce.

CRYSTAL EXTRA HOT

Consider this classic, tangy Louisiana hot sauce your best all-rounder. The vibrant red spice bomb balances salt, sweet and sour, while cayenne peppers give it good all-over heat. It’s not a slow-pour cap so be prepared to splash out. $3.95 for 177ml. gourmetgroceronline.com.au

DL JARDINE’S BLAZIN’ SADDLE

If you prefer a more vinegary, lime-driven hot sauce, then this bright salsa-like Texan number is for you. It’s got a decent whack of heat and tingle – though it eases fast – and lots of seeds and pulp. Cue the charcoal chicken. $9.50 for 150ml. gourmetgroceronline.com.au

HANDSOME DEVILS CO THE DOCTOR

The Doctor tastes like it’s only just been made. A cure-all of reaper, scorpion and habanero peppers, backed up with tomato, onion, garlic and lime juice (to help the medicine go down). A punchy addition to tacos that’ll leave your lips tingling. $12 for 150ml. handsomedevilsco.com

MELBOURNE HOT SAUCE XPA

Jalapeños smoked over cherrywood? A splash of pale ale for a hint of hops? If tomato and barbecue sauce got together by a campfire, then this mild, smooth and super-smoky ketchup would be the result. Sounds like thick sausages and fatty pork ribs to us. $8.95 for 150ml. melbournehotsauce.com

DIEMEN’S STINGER HOT SAUCE

Don’t let the name put you off. This skinsy, sour-leaning hot sauce is fresh, juicy and complex. Most of the spice is from wild Tasmanian pepperberries, so it’s just the kind of heat your next Bloody Mary or marinade needs. $6.95 for 150ml. diemens.com.au