If you want cold coffee to take with you to the Christmas market without having to prepare it, choose a ready-to-drink option labelled “reduced sugar” if that’s what you’re looking for. If you’d rather choose what to add yourself, go for a concentrate designed to be enjoyed cold. With instant coffee, you’ll need to check the preparation instructions. In every case, “reduced sugar” does not mean “sugar-free”: check the product label and any ingredients you add when choosing your drink.
You’re looking for a single cold drink to take with you, with no preparation needed. Auchan and Carrefour list a 22 cL Starbucks Caffè Latte described as reduced sugar and lactose-free. Check that these claims appear on the exact product you choose.
You’d rather choose the water, ice, milk or other drink, and any sweetener, yourself. Auchan describes L’OR Pure Black Espresso Concentrate as suitable for drinking hot or cold.
You consider caffeine as well as sugar, particularly if you’re sensitive to it or choosing a drink for someone who is pregnant, breastfeeding or under 18. Anses advises particular care for these groups and highlights the potential effects of caffeine on sleep.
Choose this if: you want a pre-packaged portion you can take with you and drink cold without any preparation.
Bear in mind: the recipe is fixed, and “reduced sugar” does not mean sugar-free.
Choose this if: you want to control the dilution and additions yourself. Auchan says L’OR Pure Black Espresso Concentrate can be enjoyed hot or cold.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to prepare and carry your drink. Its sugar content will also depend on the concentrate and anything you add.
Consider this if: you’re looking for coffee to make without a machine, rather than a ready-to-drink bottle.
Bear in mind: preparing it cold isn’t always straightforward: the instructions for the Carte Noire refill listed by Joybuy call for boiling water.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Sugar | Read the exact claim, then check “of which sugars” per 100 mL and per serving, as well as the ingredients. | If I want to cut down on sugar, I need to be able to tell the difference between a reduced-sugar drink and a sugar-free one before I choose. Around 42% of consumers would make checking sugar their priority. |
| Portability | Check the volume and storage instructions, and, if needed, make sure the exact product is labelled lactose-free. | If I want to walk around the market without making my drink, I’d prefer a pre-packaged cold serving, with a lactose-free claim if I need one. Around 33% of consumers would put this convenience first. |
| Preparation and additions | Check the dilution or dissolving instructions, as well as the ingredients in anything you plan to add. | I’d rather put my cold coffee together myself so I can choose what goes into it, even if that means preparing it before I leave. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise having control over the recipe. |
A reduction in sugar doesn’t mean there’s no sugar at all. The 22 cL Starbucks Caffè Latte listed by Auchan and Carrefour is described as reduced sugar, not sugar-free.
Compare the claim on the product with the “of which sugars” figures per 100 mL and per serving, then read the ingredients.
You can choose what to add, but the coffee’s name and format alone won’t tell you how much sugar is in the finished drink.
Check the label on the coffee itself, along with those on the milk, syrup or other ingredients you plan to add.
The instructions for the Carte Noire refill listed by Joybuy call for boiling water; they don’t confirm that it will dissolve directly in cold water.
Check the instructions for the exact product you buy, or try your preparation method before heading to the market.
Choosing a less sugary drink doesn’t address concerns about caffeine. Anses notes, in particular, that caffeine can disrupt sleep.
Check the caffeine content if it’s listed, and take account of any other caffeinated drinks you have during the day.
Auchan and Carrefour list a ready-to-drink cold coffee option: the 22 cL Caffè Latte Reduced Sugar, Lactose-Free.
Auchan lists the 485 mL L’OR Pure Black Espresso Concentrate, which is said to make 16 servings and is designed to be enjoyed hot or cold.
Carrefour lists Carte Noire instant coffee, while Joybuy offers a separate 180 g instant coffee refill.
These products offer two ways to enjoy cold coffee: choose your own additions with a coffee concentrate, or take an iced Americano with you. If you’re watching your sugar intake, compare the nutritional information for the product you choose and the drink as you’ll consume it.
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This concentrate lets you make your own cold coffee and choose what to add, but you’ll need to prepare it before you leave.
Check the dilution instructions and sugar information on the packaging. Any ingredients you add will change the composition of your drink.
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This iced Americano is a good choice if you want cold coffee to take with you rather than a drink you have to put together.
To compare sugar content, check the “of which sugars” figure on the label of the product you receive. Don’t assume you know the total sugar content from the product name alone.
No, the two claims aren’t interchangeable. The DGCCRF notes that nutrition claims are covered by European Regulation (EC) No 1924/2006. To choose your drink, read the exact claim, the ingredients and the “of which sugars” figure.
A ready-to-drink option means you won’t have to prepare anything while you’re there. Auchan and Carrefour list the 22 cL Starbucks Caffè Latte Reduced Sugar, Lactose-Free. Check the label and storage instructions for the bottle you choose.
It lets you decide what to add, but it doesn’t guarantee that the finished drink will be sugar-free. For L’OR Pure Black Espresso Concentrate, which Auchan describes as suitable for drinking cold, check the nutritional information for the concentrate and each ingredient you add.
Yes. Sugar content and caffeine are separate considerations. Anses highlights caffeine’s potential effects on sleep and advises particular care for people who are sensitive to it, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and under-18s. Check the caffeine content on the product if it’s available.