Hosts welcoming several guests
You’re looking for a box with enough ice lollies for the group, without buying far more portions than you need.
Who are these sizes suited to?
Small groups with varied tastes
You’d prefer mini ice lollies or an assortment, so you can offer a small portion after savoury food and let everyone choose their flavour.
Guests who check ingredients
You need to read the ingredients and allergen information for each product before serving it.
What should you check before choosing?
First, work out how many people will have an ice lolly and whether they’d prefer a small portion or a full-size lolly. Then compare the pack sizes by checking the number of lollies, the flavours and the product label.
| Priority | What to check | Who is this for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the ice lollies in the box and compare that number with the guests who are likely to have one. | If I’m hosting a group, I want to serve everyone without opening a box and leaving most of it unused. Around 46% of consumers prioritise having the right number of portions. |
| Size and flavours | Check the portion size and the flavours included in the assortment. | After drinks and savoury snacks, I’d rather offer a small ice lolly and let everyone choose their flavour. Around 36% of consumers put sharing first. |
| Ingredients and storage | Read the ingredients, allergen information and storage instructions on the pack you choose. | Before serving, I need to check that the product suits my guests’ dietary requirements and will stay frozen until Friday drinks. This is a priority for around 18% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming a bigger box is always the right amount
Depending on the product, the assortments from Carrefour and ALDI come in packs of four, eight or twelve. A larger box won’t necessarily be a better fit for a small group.
Estimate how many people will have an ice lolly, then check the number and size of the lollies on the box.
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Choosing a full-size lolly when you only want a little something sweet
After savoury food, some guests may prefer a mini version or a choice of flavours rather than a full-size lolly each.
If you’re planning a small portion, look at mini assortments and check what they contain before deciding.
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Assuming a chocolate-coated lolly suits everyone
Recipes vary from one product to another. Magnum, for example, lists milk and possible traces of nuts in its Mini Classic.
If anyone has an allergy or dietary requirement, read the label on the exact product and have a suitable alternative ready if needed.
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Leaving ice lollies out of the freezer for too long
The journey from the shops to your Friday drinks matters too when you’re buying frozen food. Anses recommends buying it towards the end of your shop to help maintain the cold chain.
Keep the journey as short as possible, use an insulated bag if you can and put the ice lollies in the freezer as soon as you get home.
Brands to know
Carrefour Classic'
A supermarket own-brand range to consider when you’re planning several portions of the same type.
- Carrefour offers a box of 12 chocolate and chocolate-and-vanilla ice lollies.
- The ingredients list for this product includes milk and milk-derived ingredients.
Carrefour Extra
A range to explore if you’re after mini ice lollies and a selection of flavours to share.
- Carrefour offers an assortment of eight mini ice lollies, among other options.
- Check the number of lollies and portion size: a mini version isn’t the same as a full-size lolly.
MUCCI
An ALDI brand with different pack sizes to compare by the number and size of the lollies.
- ALDI offers a box of 12 MUCCI mini ice lollies weighing 429 g, among other options.
- The range also includes other recipes and sizes, so check the exact box before working out your portions.
Magnum
A brand to consider if your guests particularly care about the chocolate coating and recipe.
- Magnum describes its Mini Classic as vanilla ice cream coated in milk chocolate.
- According to Magnum, this product contains milk and may contain several types of nuts. Check the label on the variant you choose.
Marque Repère / TRIUM
Frozen desserts offered by E.Leclerc. Check how they differ from ice lollies before choosing a size for Friday drinks.
- E.Leclerc offers TRIUM cones in packs of six, among other options.
- A cone isn’t an ice lolly. Check which type of dessert and serving style you want rather than treating the products as interchangeable.
Products for different occasions
This Joybuy selection includes water ice lollies and ice cream bars in boxes of six, eight or twelve. For Friday drinks, first choose the type of ice lolly and number of portions that suit your guests, then check the label on the product you’ve chosen.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
Serve individual water ice lollies when your guests would like a choice of orange or cherry. The box contains 12 pieces and weighs 444 g. Check the allergen information for the exact product before serving.
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Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1,200 g
An assortment of water ice lollies to consider if you’d like to offer the group a choice of flavours. The box contains 12 pieces in five flavours. Read the allergen information on the exact pack before serving.
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MAGNUM Vanilla Almond, 8 ice cream bars, 600 g
A good choice for a group who prefer vanilla and almond ice cream bars to water ice lollies. The box contains eight bars. If a guest has an allergy, check the ingredients and may-contain information on this exact pack.
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PEPPA PIG Strawberry and Vanilla, 6 ice cream bars, 60 ml each
A box of six portions for guests who’d like a choice of strawberry or vanilla. Each ice cream bar is listed as 60 ml. Check the label for allergen information on this product.
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PAW Patrol Vanilla and Cocoa Sauce, 6 ice cream bars, 270 g
Serve six vanilla ice cream bars with cocoa sauce instead of an assortment of flavours. The box is listed as 270 g. Check its ingredients and allergen information before Friday drinks.
Frequently asked questions
How do you compare two boxes in different sizes?
Compare the number of ice lollies and the size of each portion with the number of people who are likely to have one. A box of mini lollies and a box of full-size ones won’t necessarily provide the same number of servings after Friday drinks.
Should you check the allergens in standard ice cream bars?
Yes. If a guest has an allergy, always check the label on the product you’ve bought. In France, the DGCCRF says allergens in pre-packed food must be highlighted in the ingredients list. Check for any may-contain statements too.
How should you transport ice lollies to Friday drinks?
Buy them towards the end of your shop and keep the time before they go into the freezer to a minimum. Anses recommends this to help maintain the cold chain. An insulated bag can help on the journey home.