Who is this choice for?

Anyone who enjoys a coconut drink in the evening

If you drink it often, check whether it’s a plant-based drink or cooking coconut milk before comparing nutritional information and storage instructions after opening.

Households that use several cartons a week

A multipack can help cut down on repeat shopping. Check how many cartons it contains, and make sure you can finish each opened carton within the time stated on its packaging.

Anyone who pays attention to ingredients

The word “coconut” alone doesn’t tell you what’s in the product. Depending on the variety, the drink may also contain rice, rice syrup or other ingredients. Compare the ingredient lists to find one that suits your preferences.

What should you look for?

For a warm evening drink, first distinguish between a plant-based drink and cooking coconut milk, then choose a recipe and pack size that you’ll actually use.

What to consider What to check Who is it for?
Product type Check the product description and compare nutritional values per 100 ml. At E.Leclerc, Tables du Monde cooking coconut milk contains 169 kcal per 100 ml; the Alpro Unsweetened coconut drink listed by Carrefour contains 14 kcal per 100 ml. For my evening drink, I first want to know whether I’m buying a drink or a cooking ingredient. Around 46% of consumers would put this distinction first.
Recipe and sugars Check the ingredients list and the “sugars” line in the nutritional information per 100 ml. Don’t assume that one claim on the packaging tells you everything about the recipe. If I’m keeping an eye on the ingredients in my drink, the recipe matters more to me than the number of cartons. This would be the priority for around 36% of consumers.
Pack size and storage Check how many cartons are included, their best-before dates and the product-specific instructions for storage after opening. I prefer to buy several cartons at once, as long as I can use them without leaving an opened carton for too long. Around 18% of consumers would prioritise this kind of multipack.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Confusing plant-based drinks with cooking coconut milk

    The difference affects what you pour into your cup. At E.Leclerc, Tables du Monde cooking coconut milk contains 63% coconut extract and provides 169 kcal and 17 g of saturated fatty acids per 100 ml.

    If you want a drink, look for the description “plant-based drink” and compare the nutritional values per 100 ml. Keep concentrated coconut milk for cooking, or for a recipe where you specifically want its texture.

  • Assuming “unsweetened” means a short ingredients list

    Coconut drink recipes vary. Some combine coconut and rice, for example, while others include additional ingredients. A claim about sugars doesn’t tell you everything about the recipe.

    Check both the ingredients list and the nutritional information for the product you’re thinking of buying.

  • Choosing a multipack without considering opened cartons

    A pack of 3 × 1 L contains several cartons to use. The product listing for Auchan coconut drink, sold as a single carton, says to keep it refrigerated between 0 °C and +6 °C after opening and consume within five days. These instructions don’t automatically apply to other products.

    Before buying a multipack, check the best-before dates and the storage instructions for your chosen product, then choose a number of cartons that suits how quickly you’ll use them.

Brands to consider

These products show how recipes and pack sizes can differ. A single carton isn’t, by itself, a multipack option.

Alpro

Plant-based coconut drinks in 1 L cartons, including standard and Unsweetened recipes listed by Carrefour.

  • The Carrefour listing for the standard version includes coconut milk and rice, among other ingredients, and gives 20 kcal per 100 ml.
  • The Unsweetened version has a different recipe. Compare the ingredients rather than assuming only the sugar content changes. The products described here are single cartons.

Auchan

Plant-based coconut drink in a 1 L carton, made with water, coconut and rice syrup, among other ingredients.

  • Auchan’s product listing says to refrigerate between 0 °C and +6 °C after opening and consume within five days.
  • The same listing gives 1.7 g of sugars per 100 ml. Check whether this recipe suits your preferences.

VEGE (Marque Repère E.Leclerc)

Coconut drink in a 1 L carton, presented by E.Leclerc as a drink.

  • The E.Leclerc listing gives 21 kcal, 1.5 g of sugars and 140 mg of calcium per 100 ml, as well as a Nutri-Score B.
  • Check with your local store or the relevant Drive service if you’d like this product.

Bio Village (Marque Repère E.Leclerc)

Organic rice and coconut drink in a 1 L carton, with a different plant-based base from drinks made mainly with water and coconut.

  • The recipe presented by E.Leclerc includes rice, coconut paste and pea protein, among other ingredients.
  • The product listing gives 67 kcal and 4.2 g of sugars per 100 ml. Compare these values with those of other recipes you’re considering, and don’t judge the ingredients from the word “coconut” alone.

Kiobio

Organic plant-based coconut milk drink listed by Carrefour in a multipack of three 1 L cartons.

  • The 3 × 1 L format is a good fit if you’re looking for several cartons for regular use.
  • Check the ingredients and storage instructions on the packaging before choosing this multipack.

Joybuy products

Related products will be available soon.

Frequently asked questions

Can you use a plant-based coconut drink and cooking coconut milk interchangeably in a hot drink?

They won’t give you the same result in the same quantity: cooking coconut milk is more concentrated. For comparison, Carrefour lists Alpro Unsweetened at 14 kcal per 100 ml, while E.Leclerc lists its Tables du Monde cooking coconut milk at 169 kcal and 17 g of saturated fatty acids per 100 ml. Choose according to the texture and recipe you’re after.

How long can you keep an opened carton of coconut drink?

Follow the instructions on the carton you’ve bought. For its plant-based coconut drink, Auchan says to refrigerate between 0 °C and +6 °C after opening and consume within five days. Don’t automatically apply this timeframe to another product.

When is a pack of 3 × 1 L a good choice?

A pack of 3 × 1 L is suitable if you expect to use the cartons before the dates shown on their packaging and finish each opened carton according to its storage instructions. Carrefour lists this format for Kiobio coconut drink. Check the details on the multipack you choose.

What should you look for on the label of a coconut drink?

Start with the product description, ingredients list and nutritional information per 100 ml. The DGCCRF includes these among the information that must appear on food labels. They can help you distinguish a plant-based drink from cooking coconut milk and compare their recipes.

Can a rice and coconut drink replace infant formula?

No. The product listing for the Bio Village rice and coconut drink presented by E.Leclerc says it is not suitable as a replacement for breast milk or infant formula for babies under one year old. Don’t choose an everyday coconut drink for this purpose.