Brrrr-ing on the boozy ice cream: New York-based Tipsy Scoop is opening in North Portland

Published 12:45 pm Tuesday, March 18, 2025

Ebony Amato doesn’t really drink much, so she’s teamed up with the perfect longtime family friend to manage Portland’s soon-to-be-open boozy ice cream shop. 

New York-based Tipsy Scoop is opening its first West Coast location on North Mississippi Avenue in Portland on May 2. 

The brand serves liquor-infused ice creams, and at Portland’s location, 3987 N. Mississippi Ave., they’re going the extra mile to offer more alcoholic concoctions like ice cream cocktails. 

Elizabeth Gessesse, manager of Portland’s Tipsy Scoop, discovered the brand at 10th Avenue Liquor, where pints were being sold. Gessesse worked there for a little less than two years. 

“Working in the liquor store, I learned a lot about spirits and customer service, but I’m excited to mix my customer service skills, my knowledge and the social aspects,” Gessesse said. “I’m really excited to have a hangout spot here in Portland that’s chill and laid back.”

Gessesse knows Amato, franchisee of Portland’s Tipsy Scoop, through her son. They’ve been family friends for years, so when the opportunity came around, Amato said she knew Gessesse was the perfect fit for the job. 

The 23-year-old has worked with Melissa Tavss, CEO of Tipsy Scoop, during events over the past year, including Rose City Cigar and Soul and Portland Cocktail Week, giving her the chance to learn the brand and sample the flavors, of course.

“I really want this to be a super cute and vibrant place. I want it to have really good vibes,” Gessesse said. “I feel like we could really make it a go-to spot in Portland.” 

As of March 17, it was a blank space, showcasing not much more than white walls and concrete. But that hasn’t stopped Gessesse from imagining what it could be in the month to come.

She said she’s already envisioning a swing and a huge mural for photo ops. 

Amato added, “We want to be like Voodoo Doughnut, a staple, and put us on the map. You go to the airport and always see the pink box. We need a tipsy box.” 

About the scoops

Tipsy Scoop has a selection of signature flavors — Spiked Hazelnut Coffee and Mango Margarita Sorbet, to name a couple — in addition to custom flavors and local favorites. The liquor-infused ice creams are for those 21 and older. 

Gessesse said during Portland Cocktail week they hosted a Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur party, featuring an espresso coffee ice cream, and later hosted a Jägermeister event, featuring a Jägermeister-infused ice cream.

“In a lot of the ice creams, you can’t taste the alcohol, but in that one, you could,” Gessesse said, describing the hint of Jägermeister. “I think people either loved it or hated it.”

The flavors generally feature a fruity or sweet selection — strawberry, pineapple, coconut, mint, chocolate, caramel — and are capped at about 5% alcohol per pint.

Gessesse described her personal favorite, the Mango Margarita Sorbet, as the flavor profile of a traditional margarita with only a hint of the tequila taste.

Soon to come is the chance to create Portland signature Tipsy Scoop flavor.

About the space

Tipsy Scoop was originally set to open its doors in the spring of 2024, as the banners on the buildings doors still show, but Amato said the permitting process slowed the process down. 

Amato said accepting the terms of the permit and working out all the small details — like sidewalk improvements — postponed its opening, but for the location, it was well worth it. 

“It feels good,” Amato said of bringing a Black-owned business to the area. “I think it’s representative of what it used to be.” 

The space is leased from Portland Community Reinvestment Initiative, funding came from the Microenterprise Services of Oregon and the construction company is Crossover Construction, making much of those involved to be minority-based companies.

“We were intentional about this space,” Amato said. “Which is why we fought for it and we just accepted the year delay.”

There were plenty of vacancies in the city, but because of the historical richness of North Mississippi Avenue, they waited. Amato said they looked at locations on Southeast Hawthorne Boulevard, Southeast Belmont Street and in downtown. 

“Being here just feels different, it just feels right,” Amato said. 

About the barlour experience 

It’s just like it sounds: A bar experience meets a parlor experience. 

In Portland, things are shaping up slightly differently than other Tipsy Scoop locations. 

Amato said they received a full bar liquor license, so instead of serving only boozy ice creams, they can offer ice cream cocktails or shots with an ice cream chaser, which is a feature more-so specific to Portland. 

Gessesse said, “This can be a funky hangout spot, maybe before you were going to go out, or if you wanted to meet up with friends.”

Open until about 11 p.m., it’ll give the late night crowds a place to venture to, or pick up some late night munchies. 

Amato said their menu will have some “little foods to pick at” while drinking. 

“It will be tipsy food for sure,” Amato said laughing. 

Think Hot Pockets. 

About family fun 

While booze are at the core of the Tipsy Scoop experience, it doesn’t mean the kids can’t come along for an evening out, too. 

Or, for the friends and family who prefer not to drink, the menu offers both mocktail flavors and its “cool kids club” flavors, featuring the classics like vanilla, chocolate and cookies and cream. 

“The menus are still being ironed out, but there are regular ice cream flavors, and it’s a family-friendly place for sure,” Amato said. 

For more, visit tipsyscoop.com.