Crème de Liqueur brings boozy indulgence to the ice cream aisle

A shared love for desserts, and a pandemic-fueled brainstorm led to a growing two-city startup producing alcohol-infused frozen custard for adults with refined taste. Crème de Liqueur, co-founded by Elizabeth Nash and Nisreen Galloway, specializes in liquor-laced frozen treats that deliver indulgence by the spoonful.

The idea was formed while the pair were in an entrepreneurship class at Emerson College. “We were both foodies with ideas simmering,” said Nash, who runs the Milwaukee office. “It was during COVID that we realized the time was right.” The company was launched in 2021.

Crème de Liqueur’s products contain up to 2% alcohol by volume, enough to qualify as an adult-only treat. Galloway, who heads the Boston office, recalls spending the early months on the phone with local and federal agencies to ensure the business met all health and alcohol compliance standards. “Alcohol and ice cream might sound revolutionary here, but it’s been done globally. We wanted to get it right,” she said.

Local operations with a national ambition
The ice cream is primarily produced by a co-manufacturer in New York and shipped to both cities, but specialty flavors and food service orders are made in a commercial kitchen in Waukesha. Wisconsin-sourced spirits — including Central Standard Craft Distillery bourbon and brandy — are used whenever possible.

Local inspiration also drives flavor innovation. “The Brandy Old Fashioned is one of the most Wisconsin things you can eat with a spoon,” said Nash, who developed the recipe with real bitters, cherry, orange, and brandy. Galloway, who tested the flavor in her East Coast kitchen, called it “the greatest thing I’ve ever put in my mouth.”

In Wisconsin, the top-seller is the Chocolate Brownie Bourbon, a chocolate custard made with Central Standard’s bourbon and studded with fudgy brownie pieces. On the East Coast, Espresso Martini leads the pack, made with coffee vodka, chocolate custard, and chocolate-covered espresso beans from a local artisan.

Crème de Liqueur is available at many Milwaukee-area grocers, often in the ice cream aisle or on endcaps near liquor departments. Nash and Galloway also offer online ordering with direct-to-customer frozen shipping.

Scaling up
The treats are currently available throughout Massachusetts, Maine, and New Hampshire. “We are in more than 40 locations across the East Coast, primarily specialty grocery stores. Places that love local love us,” Galloway said.

As the business grows, Nash and Galloway hope to expand their footprint across Wisconsin. “We’ve saturated the Milwaukee market and are excited to move into Madison, Green Bay, Appleton and beyond,” Nash said. The team is currently exploring frozen distribution partnerships and working to increase online availability.

Crème de Liqueur was recently featured on Project Pitch It (Season 9, Episode 5), a Wisconsin-based entrepreneurship television series that highlights innovative startups. The exposure helped broaden awareness of the brand and introduce its alcohol-infused treats to a wider statewide audience.

Staying connected
Even as Crème de Liqueur shifts focus to retail growth, Nash and Galloway remain committed to connecting with their customers. While they’re doing fewer farmers markets this year, the company continues to appear at major events like the Milwaukee and Oak Creek Night Markets, the West Allis Makers Market, and the Christkindlmarket. “We’re still here,” said Galloway. “We’re just focusing on growing on the shelf and finding new ways to connect outside of farmers markets.” Fans can also stay updated on pop-up appearances and one-off flavors by following the company’s newsletter and social media channels.

Collaboration
Despite being separated by hundreds of miles, Nash and Galloway collaborate on every aspect of the business. “If one of us is boots on the ground, the other is handling graphics, email, or social media,” said Galloway. “It’s nice to have a co-founder. We work together on everything.”

The pair takes pride in building a brand that sparks joy. “It’s liquor-infused frozen custard — what’s not to love?” said Nash. “There’s always going to be a moment you want to elevate. That’s what Crème de Liqueur is for.”

For more information connect with the company here.