By Michelle M. Sharp, Founder and Content Creator of Meet the Minnesota Makers
Have you heard the one about two Michiganders who move to Minnesota, embrace low sugar diets, and found a premium liqueur company in the midst of a pandemic? Read on to meet Ryan Boudreau of Edina and Jeff Roslund of Eagan, the founders of Eagan-based Dapper Barons—Low Sugar Premium Liqueurs. Their quest is to create flavor-forward cocktail experiences without the added sugar common in many widespread liqueur brands.
Establishing their growing company was a surprising benefit of the pandemic. Both of their jobs switched to working from home, which allowed them more flexibility. Combine that with being fathers of young children and, as Jeff shares, “We were grounded at home. I was looking for a creative outlet. It was a great time to experiment.”
This creative outlet led to a lot of trial and error working with alcohol and flavoring sources. “The kitchen was really interesting with the baby monitor and 
the liqueur ingredients around it,” laughs Jeff. “I counted at least 200 batches made in little glass jars at home.”
Founding this business has been an adventure. “I’ve always worked in tech,” shares Ryan. “Learning about this whole other industry has been super interesting. I never understood what goes into bringing a product to a bar or restaurant, much less to a liquor store.”
Dapper Barons is a proud member of Minnesota Grown. This program recognizes local businesses’ commitment to incorporating local ingredients in their consumer packaged goods. Several of Dapper Barons line of products use Minnesota grown corn as its base. “We are happy to be able to support other Minnesota business owners through the use of their ingredients in our locally-produced product. Being a part of Minnesota Grown opens up a whole network of local producers for us. It’s a really important program,” explains Jeff.
Being a part of the Minnesota Maker community has been a tremendously positive experience. “Other local businesses have been so supportive,” shares Ryan. Jeff adds, “I don’t think the businesses we talked with early on realized how powerful their affirmations were in moving us off the kitchen counter. If they hadn’t been so encouraging, I think we might not have pursued this.”
Ryan designed the custom derby hat toppers, a little bottle flair. The look is a nod to the nostalgic heyday of fine American cocktails. Jeff and Ryan love being a part of your special events, whether it 
means inviting them to sample and share their story or having their bottles as a part of your own home bartending rituals. A particularly meaningful outcome of Jeff and Ryan’s joint venture is their ability to directly support their communities through their products. “Giving back has always been a priority as well, through charitable donations and sponsoring the neighborhood National Night Out,” says Jeff. “Dapper Barons is proud to continue growing alongside the Eagan community that helped make it possible.”
The biggest excitement so far has been walking into a store and seeing their product on the shelf. Current products are Zero Sugar Espresso Martini, Zero Sugar Old Fashioned, Zero Sugar Amaretto Sour, and low-sugar liqueurs: Triple Sec, Coffee Liqueur, Amaretto, Pamplemousse, Creme de Cacao, and Peppermint Schnapps. Find these product on shelves at Lunds & Byerlys, Hy-Vee, Atomic Liquors and at restaurants including Eagan’s own Mason Jar Kitchen.
Since its founding, the company’s innovative approach to distilling their unique liqueurs have earned them national recognition, including a medal at the Distilled Spirits Council of the USA Innovation Showcase. Dapper Barons has also earned finalist honors at both the Harvard Business School New Venture Competition and the University of Minnesota’s MN Cup entrepreneurship competition.
Dapper Barons would also like to thank Charlie Guan who was instrumental in launching the business.
Find a full list of retail locations at dapperbarons.com Follow @dapper_barons on Facebook and Instagram for cocktail inspiration and retail locations.
Visit meettheminnesotamakers.com or follow @meettheminnesotamakers on Facebook and Instagram to discover the small business owners leading Minnesota on a tasty sustainable path forward. Meet the Minnesota Makers is a news site that connects you to the local food, farms, artists and artisans that make Minnesota thrive.
Full article originally published in the Sun ThisWeek on May 11, 2022 “Meet the Minnesota Makers: Land of 10,000 Treats”
