Anyone serving several gourmet coffees
If you’re entertaining several guests, count how many lollies you’ll need and check that the pack contains enough for everyone.
Who are these sizes for?
Fans of smaller portions with a bit of variety
If you’re serving ice cream with a biscuit or pastry, a mini lolly can fit more easily on the plate than a larger one.
Anyone keeping an eye on ingredients
Before serving, check the ingredients list and allergen information for the product you’ve bought, especially if a guest has told you they have an allergy.
What should you look for?
For a gourmet coffee, first work out how many portions you need and how much space the ice lolly will take up alongside the other treats. Then check the recipe and storage instructions on the box you’re considering.
| Criterion | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| How many you’ll need | Number of lollies and net weight of the box. | If I’m serving several people, I want enough lollies without having to open a second box; around 31% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Portion size | Mini or standard size and number of lollies per box. | When there are other treats on the plate, I’d rather the ice lolly didn’t take up all the room. Around 25% of consumers share this priority. |
| The ice lolly’s place in the dessert | Recipe, coating and any inclusions in the product you’ve chosen. | When the ice lolly is the main treat, I look for a recipe that suits this kind of serving; around 19% of consumers put this first. |
| Ingredients and storage | Allergens, possible traces and storage instructions on the packaging. | Before serving a guest with an allergy, I need to check the exact product box and make sure I can store the ice lollies as instructed. Around 25% of consumers prioritise these checks. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming every chocolate recipe is suitable for your guests
Ingredients vary from one lolly to another. Products listed by Carrefour, E.Leclerc and Auchan, for example, mention milk, soya, wheat or almonds.
Before serving an ice lolly to someone with an allergy, read the ingredients and any precautionary allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ve bought.
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Letting ice lollies thaw in transit or while you’re serving
Auchan’s ice lolly product information says to store them at −18 °C and never to refreeze a product once it has thawed.
Follow the instructions on the box you’ve bought, transport the ice lollies promptly and take out only the portions you’re ready to serve.
Brands and retailers to know
Magnum
Worth considering when the ice lolly is the centrepiece of your gourmet coffee. Magnum offers recipes that pair vanilla ice cream with a chocolate coating, among other options.
- A range of recipes and coatings lets you choose the style you’re after.
- Check the portion size and allergens for the specific recipe; the Magnum Mini Double Chocolat product information lists milk.
Carrefour
The SIMPL, Carrefour EXTRA, Carrefour Classic’ and Carrefour Sensation ranges offer different sizes and recipes of ice lolly.
- The number of lollies and net weight make it easier to compare pack sizes for the occasion.
- Ingredients vary by product; the Carrefour Sensation white chocolate cookies product information mentions milk and wheat, among other ingredients.
E.Leclerc / ECO+
The ECO+ vanilla and chocolate pack of 16 lollies, weighing 536 g, could work well when you’re serving several guests.
- The number of lollies is stated, making it easier to plan portions.
- Check the exact recipe: the ECO+ vanilla and white chocolate product information mentions milk and soya, among other ingredients.
Auchan
The retailer offers, among other options, a box of 12 vanilla lollies and a vanilla and almond recipe in a box of four.
- These two pack sizes could suit either serving several portions or making a coated lolly the centrepiece.
- The vanilla and almond recipe lists milk, soya and almonds, and may contain traces of other allergens.
ALDI / MUCCI
MUCCI offers mini lollies and lollies with a double coating, among other options. Check which one best suits the role you want the ice lolly to play.
- A pack of 12 mini lollies lets you plan several smaller portions.
- Check the pack size and recipe on the box available in your local shop.
Lidl
If you shop at Lidl, check the ice lollies available locally before choosing a size for your gourmet coffee.
- Lidl’s frozen food range includes ice cream.
- Check the number of lollies, ingredients and storage instructions on the product you choose.
Ice lollies available on Joybuy
These packs of 8 or 12 lollies can serve several guests. Choose the portion size and recipe according to whether the ice lolly will accompany other treats or take centre stage as the dessert.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops x12, 444 g
Worth considering if you’d like to serve orange and cherry ice lollies across several plates.
The box contains 12 lollies and weighs 444 g; check the packaging for information about possible allergen traces.
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Binggrae Melona Melon Ice Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A handy option for serving individual melon ice lollies to several guests.
The box contains 8 lollies of 70 ml each. Check the ingredients and warnings on the packaging, especially if children will be having them.
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Binggrae Melona Coconut Ice Cream Bar, 8 × 70 ml
A good choice for serving individual coconut ice lollies if the flavour suits your dessert.
The box contains 8 lollies of 70 ml each. Check the allergen information on the packaging before serving one to a guest with an allergy.
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MAGNUM Vanilla Almond Ice Cream Bars x8, 600 g
Worth considering if you want a vanilla, chocolate and almond lolly to take centre stage as the dessert.
The box contains 8 lollies and weighs 600 g. The recipe lists milk and almonds; also check the warnings about other nuts and almond pieces for young children.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 lollies, 1 200 g
A good option for planning several portions and offering a choice of five flavours.
The box contains 12 lollies and weighs 1 200 g. The product information advises against consumption by people at risk of an allergic reaction; check the packaging carefully before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How can you check for allergens before serving an ice lolly?
Read the ingredients list and any precautionary allergen information on the packaging of the product you’ve bought. France’s Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control points out that allergenic ingredients in prepacked foods sold in France must be highlighted in the ingredients list. Don’t assume that one lolly has the same ingredients as another product from the same brand.
Can you refreeze ice lollies once they’ve thawed?
No. The Auchan ice lolly product information cited here says never to refreeze a product once it has thawed. It also gives a storage temperature of −18 °C. Follow the instructions on your own box during transport and before serving.
Is the Nutri-Score enough to help you choose an ice lolly?
No. A Nutri-Score alone doesn’t tell you the portion size or which allergens are in the recipe you’ll be serving. The E.Leclerc product information for the ECO+ vanilla and white chocolate lolly shows a Nutri-Score of E; check the nutritional information per 100 g too, and per portion if it’s shown on the packaging.