Boozy Nitro Ice Cream and Espresso Chain Debuts in Chicago

Buzzed Bull Creamery, a Cincinnati-based chain known for booze-infused, liquid nitrogen ice cream, opened its first Chicago location in early July in Wicker Park with specialty 12 fruit, chocolate, and caffeine-laiden options. It’s in the North Avenue space that previously housed Red Beard Coffee Traders, the coffeeshop from TV host Marcus Lemonis’s show the Profit that closed in 2018 after less than a year in business.

Menu items include pre-designed ice cream and milkshake concoctions such as “Tiger Stripes” (chocolate, peanut butter, peanut butter cups, peanut butter sauce, optional spiced rum) and “Dreamsicle” (orange juice, cake batter, waffle cone pieces, whipped cream, optional orange vodka). A create-your-own menu is also available, with a choice of base (ice cream, frozen yogurt, sorbet), flavors like Nutella, strawberry, honey, and more, candy mix-ins and toppings, and an optional boozy infusion that starts at 5% ABV, according to the chain’s website.

Some prefer a caffeine buzz to a boozy one, or would rather have a little of both. Buzzed Bull has that covered too: a drink menu features six sugary lattes with optional alcohol add-ons. Some flavors, like “Tiger Stripes,” are a riff on the ice cream version, while others, such as “Bonfire” (espresso, steamed ice cream base, marshmallow and cinnamon syrup, optional cinnamon whiskey), are exclusive to the beverage list.

The chain operates locations in eight states, including Ohio, Texas, Missouri, and North Carolina. Buzzed Bull’s Wicker Park shop represents the company’s Illinois debut.

Buzzed Bull Creamery, 1948 W. North Avenue, Open 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Sunday through Thursday; 11 a.m. to 1 a.m. Friday and Saturday.