About

Backwater Heatworks started with where I come from and why I cook. I grew up in a town of about 170 people on the backwater banks of the Wapsipinicon River. Life moved slow. You learned to work with what you had. Neighbors helped neighbors. Good food mattered, even when things stayed simple.

That backwater mindset followed me across the country. After years on the road, I have called Florida home for over a decade. Water, heat, humidity, and a slower pace felt familiar right away. Different place. Same way of living.

I have always loved spicy food, but flavor comes first. Hot sauce should add something to your food, not take it over. This brand started with a simple question. “When are you going to make a sauce?” I went home that night, dusted off the recipe book, and made my first batch. That recipe became this brand.

Backwater Heatworks makes everyday hot sauces. Sauces you actually use. Clean ingredients. No shortcuts. No artificial colors. No corn syrup. Always gluten free. Made in the USA.

Each sauce is built for flavor first. Use a little or use a lot. Your call. They work from breakfast to dinner. Eggs. Seafood. Tacos. Wings. BBQ. Bloody Marys.

Backwater means earned. Blue collar. Honest work. Sticking with it.

These sauces are made to be used. Put them on the table. Share them with friends and family.

Our Sauces

Cayenne & Pepper Sauce

A Louisiana inspired classic with a bright, peppery kick and smooth, medium heat. This vinegar forward sauce delivers a clean cayenne bite that enhances your food without stealing the show. Perfect for oysters, BBQ, chicken, seafood, pork, beef, tacos, and eggs.

Jalapeno Citrus Sauce

A fresh, green jalapeño sauce with crisp citrus notes and a mild-to-medium heat. Light, zesty, and full of flavor, it’s the perfect everyday sauce for seafood, tacos, veggies, chicken, eggs, and more.