In a medium saucepan, combine the ketchup, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, and honey. Whisk together until smooth. This creates the base of your barbecue sauce.

Add the Worcestershire sauce, smoked paprika, garlic powder, onion powder, black pepper, salt, and cayenne pepper (if using) to the saucepan. Whisk again to combine all ingredients thoroughly.

Place the saucepan over medium heat. Bring the mixture to a simmer, stirring occasionally. This helps to meld the flavors together.

Once simmering, reduce the heat to low and let it cook for about 15 minutes. Stir occasionally to prevent sticking. This will thicken the sauce and enhance the flavors.

After 15 minutes, remove the saucepan from heat and let the sauce cool slightly. It will continue to thicken as it cools.

Transfer the barbecue sauce to a storage container. Allow it to cool completely before sealing. Store in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks.