North Carolina (Eastern Style) Barbecue Sauce

This thin and spicy vinegar-based sauce, popular in Eastern North Carolina, is not for lightweights! It's best on pork, but great on other meats as well, and can be applied thoughout the cooking process for a melt in your mouth experience.

2 quarts cider vinegar
1/4 cup salt
2 tablespoons cayenne pepper
3 tablespoons red pepper flakes
1 cup light brown sugar
1 tablespoon Texas Pete hot sauce
1 tablespoon ground black pepper

In a large bowl, mix together cider vinegar, salt, cayenne pepper, red pepper flakes, light brown sugar, Texas Pete hot sauce, and black pepper. Stir until salt and brown sugar have dissolved. Cover, and let stand at least 3 hours before using as a basting sauce and or serving on meat.