Ice cream lovers will soon be able to add an extra kick to their cone when Tipsy Scoop founder Melissa Tavss opens her first retail shop in Manhattan later this spring.
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Tipsy Scoop had been selling pints of the ice cream blended with custom liquors and spirits at stores, specialty retailers and restaurants throughout the Northeast for three years before deciding to take it a step further.
In fact, Tavss had no intention of opening a storefront until videos of the company started going viral on Facebook. (One video from 2016 has more than 7 million views!) Big crowds of people started showing up to the production facility in East Harlem and were disappointed to find that it wasn’t an actual store. Tavss, the great-granddaughter of the former President of the Ice Cream Alliance of Great Britain, decided to give in to popular demand. And she emphasized that the experience will be unique.
“It’s boozy ice cream so the design and aesthetic of the store is kind of half bar half ice cream shop,” Tavss said. “It doesn’t really look like your average ice cream shop.”
The shop, which is expected to open sometime in May, will offer more than 15 flavors of liquor-infused goodies. Think Dark Chocolate Whiskey Salted Caramel, Vanilla Bean Bourbon, Spiked Mint Chocolate Chip (with crème de menthe and chocolate liqueur) and Spiked Hazelnut Coffee (with hazelnut liqueur and Cafe Patron). But the unique flavors don’t stop there. There’s also Cake Batter Vodka Martini (Tavss’ favorite) made with cake-flavored vodka, amaretto and white chocolate liqueur. And bacon lovers rejoice! The Maple Bacon Bourbon is created with maple ice cream and actual bacon. Light and refreshing sorbets are also on the menu, including the Mango Margarita and a Raspberry Limoncello which are dairy-free and vegan.
The Maple Bacon Bourbon is a must for bacon lovers. image: haley d. williams
The store will also come with some exciting additions, including the boozy ice cream flights. Similar to wine flights, customers will be able to indulge in up to four different flavors of their choice in one sitting. There will also be limited edition seasonal flavors found only in-store. But since all the ice cream contains up to 5 percent alcohol, patrons must be 21 and older to have a taste.
Despite never predicting a store opening, Tavss is anticipating the new venture.
“We are really looking forward to people being able to try a scoop of ice cream versus the availability we had before which was just pints of ice cream,” she said. “[We are] creating a whole tasting experience.”
Tipsy Scoop will be located at 217 East 26th Street in Kips Bay.