Hosts preparing a jug for a group
If you’re aiming for around 2 L and want to adjust the drink before serving, check the volume you’ll get after dilution rather than just the capacity of the concentrate bottle.
Who are these formats for?
Hosts catering for different tastes
Serving drinks separately, or offering a choice of liquids to mix with the coffee, makes it easy to cater for recipes made with milk and those made with a plant-based drink. Always check the ingredients list for allergens.
Anyone who wants to serve without preparation
Individual drinks are already portioned. For a group, though, multiply the capacity of each bottle or carton by the number you plan to buy.
What should you look for before buying?
Concentrate to dilute
Choose this if: you want to prepare a jug and decide what liquid to add to the coffee.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to measure and mix, and check the ingredients of the liquid you choose.
Ready-to-drink beverages
Choose these if: you’d rather serve individual drinks without preparing a shared jug.
Bear in mind: you may need several units to reach the volume you want.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Volume to serve | Compare the volume you’ll get after dilution with the total volume of ready-to-drink portions. The L’OR product listing at Auchan recommends 30 ml of concentrate to 150 ml of water or milk. | If I’m filling a jug for a group, I want to know how much drink I’ll actually be able to serve, without confusing concentrate with prepared coffee. Around 50% of consumers put this first. |
| Ingredients and preferences | Read the ingredients of each drink and of any liquid added to the concentrate; “lactose-free” does not mean “dairy-free”. | If not everyone wants the same milk, I prefer to keep the different recipes separate until serving. This comes first for around 30% of consumers. |
| Serving and storage | Check the instructions for after opening and, where relevant, the caffeine content stated on the product. | When the coffee needs to be served straight away, ready-to-drink portions save me from measuring out a jug, but I also need to plan for leftovers. This is the top priority for around 20% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming “cold coffee” means a large format
A small ready-to-drink beverage and a concentrate to dilute won’t give you the same volume to serve. The individual formats in Auchan’s cold coffee range include sizes from 24 to 33 cl.
If you’re aiming for around 2 L, check the yield stated for the concentrate or add up the capacities of your chosen portions before buying.
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Confusing “lactose-free” with “dairy-free”
The Starbucks Caffè Latte lactose-free drink listed at Auchan also includes milk in its ingredients. A plant-based drink, meanwhile, may contain oats.
Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product, including those of the liquid you use to dilute a concentrate.
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Applying the concentrate’s storage instructions to the prepared jug
Instructions for undiluted coffee don’t necessarily cover how to store a drink once it has been mixed with milk or a plant-based drink. The Auchan listing for Lactel Caffè Latte says that, after opening, this product should be kept at a maximum of 6 °C and consumed within 3 days.
Follow the instructions for each product and prepare only as much as you plan to serve.
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Forgetting that cold coffee contains caffeine
Serving coffee cold or with milk doesn’t remove the caffeine. Anses notes that its effects vary depending on the individual and their consumption habits, among other factors.
Clearly identify the coffee drinks and offer a caffeine-free option for guests who would prefer one.
Brands to know when comparing formats
L’OR
According to the Auchan listing, Espresso Concentré Pure Black is a coffee concentrate that can be prepared hot or cold.
- The recommended mix is 30 ml of concentrate to 150 ml of water or milk, so the final drink volume depends on how you prepare it.
- It isn’t a 2 L bottle of ready-to-serve cold coffee; you’ll also need to consider the ingredients of the liquid you add.
Candia Columbus Café & Co
The café latte milk drink listed at Auchan comes in a 250 ml carton.
- The individual format means you can serve a drink that’s already prepared.
- Eight 250 ml cartons make 2 L; the ingredients list for this product includes milk.
Starbucks
The cold coffee options listed at Auchan include a 22 cl lactose-free Caffè Latte.
- This format is ideal for serving individual drinks.
- Milk is listed in the ingredients for this product: “lactose-free” doesn’t mean “dairy-free”.
Lactel
The Caffè Latte listed at Auchan is a coffee milk drink sold in a pack of 3 × 200 ml.
- The 200 ml units can be served individually, hot or cold, according to the product description.
- The pack contains 600 ml. The product listing says to keep it at a maximum of 6 °C after opening and consume within 3 days.
Oatly
The 1 L Barista plant-based drink listed at Auchan can be used as a liquid to add to coffee.
- Its ingredients list includes 10% oats, making it an alternative to cow’s milk as a base for your drink.
- On its own, it isn’t the cold coffee you’ll be serving. Check that its ingredients are suitable for your guests.
Joybuy products for preparing or serving cold coffee
These products include a powder and a concentrate to mix, as well as drinks in individual portions. To serve around 2 L at brunch, check the quantities needed to prepare the products or how many units of the ready-to-drink beverages you’ll need.
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Office Fish Mashang Baofu Bucket Cold Brew Freeze-Dried Coffee Powder, 120 g
Worth considering if you’d rather prepare a jug than serve individual bottles.
120 g jar of coffee powder. Check the recommended amount and the flavour of your chosen variant before working out how much to prepare.
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HY Bts Hotbrew Cafe Latte Sweet Ice Coffee, 350 ml
A ready-to-drink portion for guests who prefer their café latte served separately.
350 ml bottle containing milk. Six bottles would make 2.1 L: check the pack size available if you’re counting on this volume. After opening, follow the storage instructions for this product: refrigerate and consume within 24 to 48 hours.
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HY Bts Hot Brew Americano Ice Coffee Random Pick, 350 ml
An individual portion of cold coffee if you don’t want to prepare a shared jug.
350 ml bottle; six units would make 2.1 L. Check the pack size available and which variant you’ll receive under the Random Pick listing. After opening, this product should be refrigerated and consumed within 24 to 48 hours.
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BTS Iced Sweet Black Coffee Hazelnut Flavor, 230 ml
A smaller hazelnut-flavoured option for serving cold coffee in individual portions.
230 ml capacity; nine units would make 2.07 L. Check the pack size available, the sugar and caffeine information, and the storage instructions on the packaging.
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Yongpu concentrated coffee, caramel macchiato flavour, 126 g
Worth considering if you’d rather dilute the coffee as you prepare each drink.
126 g liquid concentrate, caramel macchiato flavour. Check the recommended amount of liquid for dilution before relying on this pack to make a jug of around 2 L.
Frequently asked questions
Do you need to find a 2 L ready-to-drink bottle for brunch?
No. You can also make around 2 L using a concentrate or combine several individual portions. Cold coffee examples listed at Carrefour and Auchan include small formats and concentrates, so always check the capacity of the product you choose rather than assuming from the “cold coffee” category.
How much L’OR concentrate do you need to make around 2 L?
Based on the ratio of 30 ml of concentrate to 150 ml of water or milk stated on the L’OR listing at Auchan, you’ll need around 333 ml of concentrate and 1.67 L of liquid to make 2 L, before adding any ice. Measure the final volume if you’re adding ice to the jug.
Is a “lactose-free” café latte suitable if you avoid milk?
Not necessarily: the Starbucks Caffè Latte lactose-free product listed at Auchan includes milk in its ingredients. If you want a dairy-free drink, check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product rather than relying on the “lactose-free” label alone.
What should you provide for guests who don’t want caffeine?
Offer a caffeine-free drink and make it clear which drinks contain coffee when serving. Anses notes that caffeine affects people differently depending on the individual and their habits. To compare two cold coffees, check the caffeine content on their packaging if this information is available.