The cream liqueur market is thriving, with innovation driving new opportunities for brands and consumers alike. At the 2024 Bar Convent Berlin, Jeroen Huiskes, Innovation Manager at Creamy Creation, shared his insights on the latest trends and groundbreaking techniques shaping the category. From indulgent flavors to revolutionary production methods, here’s what’s happening in the world of cream liqueurs and emulsified beverages and why Creamy Creation is leading the way.
Trends That Are Defining the Cream Liqueur Category
“The cream liqueur category is still growing, and we see a lot of different applications and new innovative concepts,” says Huiskes. Among these innovations, three key trends are capturing attention:
- Low-ABV RTDs: Ready-to-drink beverages with low alcohol by volume are gaining popularity worldwide. “The low-ABV ready-to-drink beverage market is still growing fast on a global level, mainly driven by convenience and premiumization of spirit-based RTDs,” Huiskes explains.
- Frozen Formats: Frozen cream liqueurs are adding a refreshing twist to the sector. “This is a pre-mixed cocktail in a slushie format, such as the frozen Piña Colada or a spoonable sorbet,” Huiskes says.
- Indulgia: A term coined by Creamy Creation, Indulgia combines indulgence and nostalgia to encapsulate the unique experience consumers are seeking. “For example, dessert flavors—rich flavors you really need to enjoy,” Huiskes notes.
Revolutionizing Creamy RTDs with Retort-Free Technology
In 2024, Creamy Creation unveiled a groundbreaking innovation: retort-free creamy RTDs. Historically, producing low-ABV creamy beverages has been challenging due to the expensive and complex retort process, which involves high-temperature treatment.
“One of the gaps is the inability to commercialize a low-ABV creamy product due to special high-temperature treatment. We call that the retort process. This has made market entry for many brands difficult, as it is complex and, operationally, very challenging,” explains Huiskes.
Creamy Creation’s innovative technology eliminates the need for this costly process. “We’ve developed this innovative technology that only requires pasteurization, and that is readily available via copackers in the global industry,” he says. This advancement makes it easier for brands to enter the low-ABV creamy beverage market, opening doors for more products to reach consumers.
Customization for Every Brand’s Needs
Creamy Creation’s flexibility in product development ensures that brands can create unique offerings tailored to their target audiences.
“There are a lot of options to choose from when crafting a cream liqueur, such as whiskey, tequila, cognac, rum, gin, soju, baiju, and even malt- or wine-based options. So everything is possible,” says Huiskes. This includes plant-based and non-dairy alternatives, catering to the growing demand for vegan and plant-based products.
Creamy Creation offers custom solutions based on your business’s needs. “Whether it’s ready-to-bottle custom development for you—so we make the ready-to-bottle product, develop samples which you approve, and come up with a turnkey solution which we produce in the end—or we provide you with a compound, there’s a variety of bases to choose from. And, we give technical support on how to blend that in your factory,” Huiskes explains.
Leading the Way
By addressing industry challenges and anticipating consumer preferences, Creamy Creation has established itself as a leader in the cream liqueur category. Whether through innovative solutions like retort-free RTDs or the introduction of nostalgic, indulgent flavors and concepts, we continue to push boundaries.
From frozen delights to standard or low-ABV concepts, Creamy Creation ensures brands have the tools and expertise to succeed in this dynamic market. With innovation and customization at its core, Creamy Creation is shaping the future of cream liqueurs—and making it accessible for all.