If you walked into a grocery store in late 2020, you probably noticed a bright pink pint staring back at you from the freezer aisle. It had Selena Gomez’s face on it. It looked like a sugar rush in a container. Most people figured it was just another celebrity cash grab, a quick tie-in for a pop song that would melt away as soon as the charts refreshed.
They were wrong.
The Selena Gomez ice cream collaboration—specifically the "Cookies & Cream Remix" with Serendipity Brands—wasn't just a marketing gimmick for a song. It was a massive business move that turned the Only Murders in the Building star into a part-owner of a legendary New York institution. Even now, in 2026, the ripple effects of that pink vanilla pint are still being felt in the way celebrities approach brand equity.
What Really Happened With the Selena Gomez Ice Cream Launch?
Let's take it back to August 2020. The world was messy, everyone was stuck inside, and we all needed a win. Selena teamed up with the K-pop powerhouse BLACKPINK for the track "Ice Cream." But instead of just filming a video with some props, Selena went full entrepreneur.
She didn't just endorse a flavor; she bought into the company.
She became an investor and co-owner of Serendipity Brands and the iconic Serendipity3 restaurant in New York City. For context, Serendipity3 is the place where Andy Warhol used to hang out and where the Frrrozen Hot Chocolate became a literal legend. Selena had been going there since she was a kid. This wasn't a random pairing. It was personal.
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The Breakdown of the Flavor
The "Cookies & Cream Remix" isn't your standard grocery store fare. Selena basically took a classic and gave it a makeover.
- The Base: Instead of white vanilla, it's a vibrant pink vanilla ice cream. This was a direct nod to her "girls" in BLACKPINK.
- The Mix-ins: We're talking thick, gooey fudge swirls and actual chunks of cream-filled chocolate cookies.
- The Vibe: Selena herself described it as "basically heaven."
Honestly, the texture is what caught people off guard. Most celebrity-branded foods are high on packaging and low on quality, but because this came from the Serendipity lineage, the butterfat content was high. It was "super-premium" ice cream, not just flavored ice milk.
Why the Serendipity Partnership Was Different
Most stars sign a one-year contract, take a few photos holding the product, and vanish. Selena did the opposite. She integrated the ice cream brand into her larger mission of mental health advocacy.
In 2022, she bridged the gap between her beauty empire and her dessert business. During Mental Health Awareness Month, Serendipity Brands committed to donating $1 from every pint sold to the Rare Impact Fund. This wasn't a one-time thing. By 2025, the brand was still expanding, launching mobile carts in major venues like Ohio Stadium and the Schottenstein Center.
You’ve got to respect the hustle. She took a 1950s New York staple and made it relevant for Gen Z.
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It Wasn't Just About the Sugar
People forget that "Ice Cream" (the song) was a massive global hit. It debuted at #13 on the Billboard Hot 100, which was a record-breaking moment for a K-pop girl group at the time. The music video featured Selena in a retro sailor outfit driving an ice cream truck, which became the visual blueprint for the brand's aesthetic.
But the real genius was the "SELPINK" branding. It created a bridge between two of the biggest fanbases in the world. If you were a "Blink" or a "Selenator," you weren't just buying a snack; you were buying a piece of that collaboration.
Is It Still Available in 2026?
Yes, but the landscape has changed. While you might not see the "Ice Cream" song posters plastered everywhere like you did five years ago, the Cookies & Cream Remix has become a staple flavor for Serendipity.
You can still find the pints in major retailers like Publix, Wawa, and Jewel-Osco. They’ve even expanded into ice cream bars—which, quite frankly, are a bit more dangerous because you don't need a spoon to finish a whole box.
The price point usually hovers around $5.99 to $7.99 depending on where you're shopping. It’s definitely a "treat yourself" purchase, not a budget buy. But compared to other artisan brands like Van Leeuwen or Jeni’s, it holds its own.
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What Most People Get Wrong
The biggest misconception is that Selena just "put her name on it." In reality, she was involved in the "flavor engineering." She wanted something that reflected her childhood memories of the restaurant while keeping the BLACKPINK aesthetic alive.
Another thing? People think it was a limited-edition drop. While many celebrity collabs disappear after six months, Selena’s ownership stake means she has a vested interest in keeping the brand alive. It’s part of her portfolio, right next to Rare Beauty and her production company, July Moon Productions.
Actionable Insights for the Savvy Fan
If you're looking to track down a pint or just want to support the mission, here’s the best way to do it:
- Check the "Find Serendipity" Map: Don't just wander into a gas station. The Serendipity Brands website has a live tracker that shows which local retailers have the Cookies & Cream Remix in stock.
- Look for the Rare Impact Logo: If you're buying specifically to support mental health, check the packaging. The brand often runs seasonal promotions where proceeds go directly to Selena's fund.
- The NYC Experience: If you’re ever in Manhattan, go to the actual Serendipity3 on East 60th Street. You can get the "Selena Gomez Cookies & Cream Remix" as a massive sundae, complete with all the bells and whistles you can't get in a plastic pint.
- Try the Bars: If the pint is too much, the chocolate-coated bars are a more manageable way to try the flavor without committing to 16 ounces of pink vanilla.
Selena Gomez didn't just give us a catchy summer anthem; she built a frozen empire that actually tastes good. It's one of the few times a celebrity "lifestyle" product lived up to the hype and stayed on shelves long after the music video stopped trending.
Next Step: You can verify local availability by visiting the official Serendipity Brands store locator or checking your regional delivery apps for current stock of the Cookies & Cream Remix.