We were lucky to catch up with Jeff Roslund recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Jeff, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.

At Dapper Barons, we pride ourselves on breaking away from the industry standard by reimagining what liqueurs and bottled cocktails can be. Traditionally, liqueurs in our industry contain 10-20g of sugar per serving, and many bottled or restaurant-made cocktails have upwards of 20-40g of sugar. We saw an opportunity to innovate and create products that deliver the same bold, rich flavors with a fraction of the sugar—or none at all.

Using our proprietary blend of all-natural sweeteners, we’ve developed liqueurs with 90% less sugar than the norm and bottled cocktails with zero sugar. This wasn’t just about reducing sugar—it was about ensuring the experience wasn’t compromised. We focused on maximizing key factors beyond taste: avoiding unpleasant aftertastes, achieving a pleasing mouthfeel, and ensuring there are no side effects like the bloating or discomfort associated with some sweeteners.

One story that illustrates this difference is how we’ve seen our products embraced by customers looking for healthier options. For example, one of our restaurant partners, Mason Jar Kitchen, proudly highlights our low-sugar content on their menu. This partnership demonstrates that customers can enjoy a premium cocktail experience without compromising on flavor or health-conscious values.

This commitment to innovation and quality sets us apart, and we’re excited to continue reshaping how people enjoy their favorite drinks.

Jeff, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Dapper Barons was born from a passion for innovation and a desire to offer something truly unique in the spirits and cocktail world. As a team with a deep appreciation for craft beverages, we recognized a gap in the market: most liqueurs and cocktails were loaded with sugar, making it challenging for people to enjoy premium drinks without compromising their health goals.

We set out to change that. Our journey began with extensive research and development to create a line of low-sugar liqueurs and zero-sugar bottled cocktails that rival the flavor and quality of their traditional counterparts. The results speak for themselves—our liqueurs have 90% less sugar than the industry average, and our bottled cocktails deliver a luxurious experience with absolutely zero sugar.

Our products cater to a growing audience of health-conscious individuals who want to indulge in exceptional cocktails without the guilt. Whether it’s offering a lower-sugar alternative to a classic margarita or a zero-sugar espresso martini, we aim to prove that you don’t have to compromise flavor for health.

What sets us apart is our relentless focus on quality and innovation. Our proprietary sweetener blend ensures no aftertaste, a perfect mouthfeel, and a clean finish, solving a common problem for many sugar-free products that fall short of customer expectations. We also strive to be transparent and approachable, building strong relationships with clients and partners who share our values.

One of the things we’re most proud of is the recognition we’ve received for our efforts. We were honored to be named a Finalist in the Distilled Spirits Council of the US (DISCUS) Innovation Showcase, highlighting our contributions to the industry. Additionally, all of our products have won medals at international spirits competitions, demonstrating not only our commitment to innovation but also the exceptional quality of our liqueurs and cocktails. Beyond accolades, we’ve seen how our products have resonated with customers and industry professionals. Restaurants proudly highlight our low-sugar content on their menus, and bars across the region are discovering how easily our liqueurs integrate into their cocktail programs.

At Dapper Barons, we’re not just creating spirits and cocktails—we’re reshaping what people expect from them. We want potential clients, followers, and fans to know that we’re here to bring innovation, health-conscious options, and incredible flavor to the table.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When we first launched Dapper Barons, our vision was to offer a portfolio of premium, low-sugar liqueurs that could elevate at-home cocktail-making. However, as we began demonstrating our products in stores, we quickly noticed a disconnect: most people weren’t making cocktails from scratch at home using liqueurs. Instead, they were captivated by the cocktails we prepared during our demonstrations to showcase how our products could be used. Time and again, customers would say, “Can I just buy the cocktail you made?”

At first, it was frustrating because we couldn’t sell the pre-made cocktails directly, but we soon realized we had stumbled upon an opportunity. This was our “aha!” moment that prompted a major pivot in our business strategy. We decided to focus on bottled ready-to-drink (RTD) cocktails, giving consumers the same premium, low-sugar cocktail experience they loved—without any of the effort.

This shift not only aligned with what customers were asking for but also tapped into a growing trend in the market: RTD cocktails are booming as more people look for convenient, high-quality options. Since making the pivot, our RTD cocktails have outpaced our liqueurs in sales, proving that the decision to adapt was the right one.

This experience taught us the importance of listening to our customers and being flexible enough to change course when needed. It also reinforced our commitment to innovation—whether it’s crafting low-sugar liqueurs or delivering zero-sugar bottled cocktails, we’re here to meet our customers where they are and provide the products they truly want.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

We partner with a manufacturer for our products, and the journey to get there has been quite an adventure. With a strong background in manufacturing operations, I had a clear vision for how to scale up production as I was developing our recipes. I knew what was needed to ensure consistency, efficiency, and quality at a larger scale, and I felt confident in our ability to bring our low-sugar liqueurs and cocktails to market.

What I didn’t anticipate, however, were all the challenges related to packaging. While making the liqueurs and cocktails themselves came together smoothly, the headaches from packaging were a completely different story. Nearly every packaging component required multiple iterations to get right.

For instance, supply shortages forced us to switch glass bottle designs multiple times, which impacted both the look and functionality of our products. Labels became another unexpected hurdle—some didn’t adhere properly on our applicator, while others had to be reprinted due to incorrect UPC codes. Even our outer cardboard boxes turned out to be the wrong size, creating logistical headaches during shipping.

One of the trickiest aspects was fine-tuning the tamper-free capsules on our bottle tops. We wanted them to not only fit securely but also look aesthetically pleasing, which required several rounds of adjustments.

Each of these challenges taught us invaluable lessons about patience, problem-solving, and the importance of working with reliable vendors. We also learned the value of adaptability—being ready to pivot quickly and find solutions when things didn’t go as planned.

Looking back, these challenges were frustrating but necessary. They helped us refine our process and ensure that every detail of our product, from the liquid inside to the packaging on the outside, meets the high standards we set for ourselves and our brand. Today, when customers pick up a bottle of Dapper Barons, they’re holding the result of countless hours of problem-solving and innovation—a product we’re incredibly proud to call our own.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.dapperbarons.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dapper_barons/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/DapperBarons

Image Credits

n/a — all were taken by me