To serve several people without buying lots of boxes, start by counting the ice lollies and distinguishing mini portions from standard ones. An assortment makes it easier to offer a choice of flavours; a box of sorbets adds a different recipe, but you should still check the allergens. Remember to plan for the journey home and make room in your freezer before you buy.
If you want to serve ice lollies to everyone without opening lots of boxes, check the number of lollies first. The SMICY assortments listed by E.Leclerc and the MUCCI mini ice lollies listed by ALDI are examples of packs in different sizes.
Assorted mini ice lollies let you offer several coatings without opening a separate box for each flavour. Carrefour, for example, lists an eight-piece EXTRA assortment; Auchan also stocks fruit ice lollies and mini versions.
If your guests’ dietary preferences influence your choice, compare the ingredients for each product. A product described as a sorbet may still carry an allergen warning, as shown by the Oasis lemon and orange sorbet listing at Auchan.
For a drinks party, start with the number of guests and the portion size, then choose your recipes with allergens and keeping everything frozen in mind.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of boxes needed | Count the ice lollies in each box and distinguish mini sizes from standard ones before planning portions. | I’m having several people round and want enough ice lollies without opening box after box; around 29 % of consumers would prioritise this. |
| Variety to share | Check which flavours are included and how many of each are in the assortment. | My guests don’t all like the same things, and I want them to have a choice when I serve them; nearly 24 % of consumers would put variety first. |
| Type of recipe | Check the product description and ingredients list: a fruity flavour doesn’t tell you by itself whether it’s a sorbet or an ice cream. | I’d like to offer a fruity option alongside vanilla and chocolate ice lollies; around 18 % of consumers would prioritise this type of recipe. |
| Allergens | Read the ingredients and allergen warnings for every product, including items in an assorted box or a sorbet. | A guest should be able to check the listed ingredients and traces before helping themselves; around 17 % of consumers would make this their priority. |
| Keeping everything frozen | Follow the temperature stated on the packaging and plan for the journey home, as well as space in your freezer. | My journey home or the space I have available makes it harder to put frozen food away straight away; around 12 % of consumers would prioritise this kind of planning. |
Two boxes won’t necessarily serve the same number of people. E.Leclerc lists an assortment of 20 SMICY sticks, while the box of MUCCI mini ice lollies listed by ALDI contains 12; the size of each piece matters too.
Decide how many portions you want to serve, then compare the number of pieces and the size shown on each box.
The Oasis lemon and orange sorbet listing at Auchan warns that it may contain traces of milk, gluten, egg, soya, peanuts and nuts. The product category alone doesn’t replace checking the warnings for the specific item you buy.
Read the label for each flavour before serving and take account of any dietary requirements your guests have mentioned.
The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain must also be maintained during transport. A box that can’t be put away quickly is impractical, even if its size suits your group.
Pick up your ice lollies at the end of your shop, use a suitable way to transport them and make room in the freezer before you get home.
These products offer examples of pack sizes and recipes to compare; always check the label on the box you choose.
Carrefour lists an assortment of eight SIMPL mini ice lollies, weighing 284 g in total.
Carrefour lists an assortment of eight 32 g mini ice lollies, with different chocolate coatings and an almond version.
E.Leclerc lists, among other products, an assortment of 20 SMICY sticks and TRIUM ice lollies in vanilla, milk chocolate and almond flavours.
Auchan stocks fruit ice lollies, coated varieties and assorted mini ice lollies.
ALDI lists MUCCI mini ice lollies in a box of 12, weighing 429 g, as well as ice lollies with a double coating.
Carrefour lists, among other products, a box of four 100 mL MAGNUM ice lollies in vanilla, milk chocolate and almond flavours.
These boxes include individual ice lollies, fruity flavours and sorbets in packs of four to eight. To choose the right option for your guests, compare portion sizes and the ingredients in each product too.
Image unavailable
This box of eight melon ice lollies makes it easy to plan individual portions for your group.
The recipe contains milk. Before serving to children, also read the warning on the packaging about the E102 colourant.
Image unavailable
The six strawberry and vanilla ice lollies are a good choice if you want to serve individual portions of both flavours.
They contain milk and may contain nuts and peanuts; check the label before serving them to guests with relevant dietary requirements.
Image unavailable
This box of four sorbet sticks adds a mango flavour to your drinks party selection.
This product carries warnings about allergen traces, including milk, nuts, peanuts and soya. Check the label before serving.
Image unavailable
This box of four sorbet sticks adds coconut to a selection of frozen desserts.
The recipe contains coconut milk. Allergen warnings include possible traces of milk, nuts, peanuts and soya; check the box label.
Image unavailable
This box of four ice lollies is a good choice if you want to offer a red berry flavour alongside other frozen desserts.
The recipe contains milk. Check the packaging for information about any other potential allergens.
No – check the specific product. The Oasis lemon and orange sorbet listing at Auchan warns of possible traces of milk, gluten, egg, soya, peanuts and nuts.
Keep the time between buying them and putting them in the freezer to a minimum, and plan a suitable way to transport them. The DGCCRF reminds shoppers that the cold chain must also be maintained while food is in transit.
Follow the temperature shown on the packaging for each product. For example, the Oasis lemon and orange sorbet listing at Auchan says to store it at −18 °C.
Follow the instructions on the box; don’t assume that a thawed product can be refrozen. Carrefour states on one of its frozen food listings that a thawed product must never be refrozen.