To serve a cold chocolate drink at a barbecue, first choose a product that says it can be made with cold milk. If you’d rather control how much sugar you add, unsweetened cocoa powder is another option, as long as you check the instructions for making it cold. In either case, check the ingredients in the powder and the milk you choose, as well as the milk’s storage instructions once opened.
If you’re making several glasses with cold milk, look for an indication on the product that it can be made cold. Carrefour describes some Poulain powders as suitable for use with hot or cold milk, but that doesn’t automatically apply to every product in the range.
Compare the sugar content on a like-for-like basis, then take into account how much powder and milk you use per glass. A product labelled “less sugar” should be assessed separately from the standard version from the same brand.
Check the ingredients in the powder and in the milk or drink you use to make it. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that allergens must be clearly highlighted on the labels of prepacked foods.
For a drink served cold, start by checking the instructions for the specific product. Then compare its ingredients and choose a pack size that suits the number of glasses you plan to serve.
| Criteria | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Making it cold | Check that the product can be made with cold milk and follow the instructions provided. | If you’re serving several glasses without wanting to heat a liquid first, ease of cold preparation comes ahead of other criteria; around 29% of consumers would make it their top priority. |
| Sugar | Compare the sugar per 100 g of powder, then check how much you use per glass and how much milk you add. | If you want to control the sugar in each drink, the recipe matters more than the product name alone; around 36% of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Check the ingredients and allergens listed on both the powder and the milk you choose. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, knowing exactly what’s in the drink becomes crucial; around 21% of consumers would put this check first. |
| Pack size and planning | Choose an amount that suits the number of glasses you plan to serve, and check the storage instructions for both products. | For a one-off barbecue, you may want to avoid having a large opened pack left over, or make sure you have enough powder for everyone; pack size would be the main concern for around 14% of consumers. |
The absence of a Nutri-Score isn’t enough on its own to judge a chocolate powder: Santé publique France and the DGCCRF say that displaying it is voluntary.
If it appears on the pack, consider it alongside the nutritional information, ingredients list and recommended serving size.
The legislation published by Légifrance covers drinks and liquid preparations that meet specific legal criteria. The fact that a dry powder contains sugar isn’t enough to determine its status.
If you choose a ready-to-drink beverage instead, treat it as a liquid product, distinct from powder that needs diluting, before drawing any conclusions about tax.
A value per 100 g of powder and a value for a glass made with milk don’t describe the same amount of product.
First compare the powders on a like-for-like basis, then take into account the amount used and the milk you actually add.
The drink you serve also includes the milk or other liquid you add. Depending on the product, the powder may contain soya or cereals containing gluten.
Before serving guests who need to avoid allergens, check both packs and the exact product you’re using.
The range includes cocoa drink powders, including a standard version and a Less Sugar variant.
The chocolate powder range includes Grand Arôme, 1848.0, Super Poulain and Grand Arôme Moins de Sucres.
The Banania Original product featured by Carrefour combines cocoa and biscuit cereals in its recipe.
At E.Leclerc, the range includes several lines of chocolate powder, as well as Equador unsweetened pure cocoa powder.
These products give you a range of chocolate drink powders to consider. Some are described as suitable for use with cold milk; for others, check the preparation instructions, as they may require a step involving a hot liquid. Also check the instructions for the milk you choose, particularly after opening.
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The individual sachets may be handy if you’re making drinks one glass at a time. For the iced version described, you first need to dissolve the powder in a little hot liquid before adding ice cubes, so don’t expect it to mix directly with cold milk. Also check the milk and soya information on the pack.
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This product is worth considering if you want to use cold milk, as its description mentions this option. Before making several glasses, check the recommended amount on the pack. To compare its sugar content with another powder, use nutritional values calculated on the same basis.
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The Bananina Original description says it can be used hot or cold, making it an option to consider for chilled drinks. Check the recommended amount and allergens on the pack: the information for this product lists wheat and barley, and possible traces of milk and soya.
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If you’re comparing recipes by sugar content, check the nutritional information for this variant rather than relying on its name. The instructions say to make it with hot milk or water; check whether it can be made cold before choosing it for your barbecue.
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You can compare this product with other powders by checking its ingredients and nutritional information on the pack. Don’t assume it can be made cold just because some Poulain powders are described as suitable for cold preparation: check its own instructions and allergen information before serving.
Choose a product whose instructions say it can be made with cold milk, then follow the recommended amount. Carrefour says some Poulain powders can be made with hot or cold milk, but you’ll need to check the specific product you buy. Follow the instructions on the packaging for your chosen long-life milk, particularly after opening.
Read the ingredients list for the powder and for the milk or other drink you add. The DGCCRF states that allergens in prepacked foods must be clearly highlighted. The product information reviewed lists soya for one Nesquik product, and wheat and barley for Banania Original.
No. Santé publique France and the DGCCRF describe Nutri-Score as voluntary. Whether or not it appears on the pack, check the ingredients and nutritional information for the specific product.
No. The fact that a dry powder contains sugar isn’t enough to draw that conclusion. Légifrance defines a levy covering drinks and liquid preparations that meet specific legal criteria. If you buy a ready-to-drink beverage, check the status of that product rather than treating it as powder that needs diluting.