Anyone hosting a group
If everyone should be able to have their own dessert, start by counting the portions. The ranges from Carrefour, Auchan and E.Leclerc include boxes of 8, 12 or 16 ice lollies.
Who are these pack sizes for?
Smaller groups with different tastes
An assortment means you don’t have to open several boxes to offer different flavours. For example, Magnum offers a box of six mini lollies in Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours.
Anyone mindful of ingredients and getting them home
Check the ingredients and allergens in your chosen recipe if a guest needs to avoid certain foods. For the journey home, ANSES advises buying frozen food at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag.
What should you check before choosing?
Work out how many portions you need, then choose between a variety of flavours and the size of each lolly. Finally, check the recipe and how you’ll transport them home.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the lollies and check the total weight or volume: a mini lolly and a standard-sized one won’t necessarily count as the same portion. | If I want to serve everyone without opening a second box, I look for enough lollies first; around 42% of consumers prioritise the number of portions. |
| Flavours and format | Check which flavours are included and whether they’re mini or standard-sized lollies. | When people around the table have different tastes, I’d rather choose an assortment than several boxes with just one flavour; variety comes first for around 33% of consumers. |
| Ingredients and storage | Check the allergens for the exact variety and take an insulated bag for the journey home. | If I need to rule out a recipe for one of my guests or keep the lollies frozen on the way home, these checks guide my choice; ingredients and storage are a priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Counting a mini lolly as a full-sized portion
The number of lollies alone doesn’t tell you how much you’ll be serving. Magnum, for example, offers 55 ml mini lollies, which are smaller than its larger formats.
Check both the number of lollies and the weight or volume shown on the box, taking into account how much room you have for dessert at Friday drinks.
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Assuming allergens based on the flavour name alone
A coated lolly may contain milk or nuts. The ingredients in one lolly don’t automatically apply to the other flavours in the same range.
Read the ingredients and allergen information for the exact variety before serving it to a guest who needs to avoid certain foods.
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Picking up the ice lollies at the start of your shop
Spending too long out of the freezer can affect frozen food.
Follow ANSES advice: pick them up at the end of your shop, carry them in an insulated bag and put them back in the freezer as soon as you get home.
Brands to know
Magnum
The brand offers standard-sized lollies as well as mini assortments, worth considering if a smaller group would enjoy a choice of flavours.
- Magnum offers an assortment of six mini lollies in Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours.
- Some recipes contain milk or nuts, so check the details for each variety.
Carrefour
Its ice lolly ranges include boxes worth considering when the number of guests is a key factor.
- Carrefour offers a Classic’ box of 12 lollies in chocolate and vanilla-chocolate flavours.
- Check the ingredients and size of the product you choose rather than assuming them from the range name.
Auchan
The retailer offers a range of ice lollies, including fruit flavours.
- Its range includes a box of eight fruit ice lollies.
- Check the number of lollies and the recipe in the box you choose before comparing it with a mini assortment.
E.Leclerc
The Eco+ and Marque Repère ranges offer pack sizes to compare based on the portions and flavours you need.
- E.Leclerc offers an Eco+ box of 16 vanilla-chocolate lollies, with a stated total weight of 536 g.
- The number of lollies alone doesn’t tell you the size of each portion or what the ingredients are.
Ice lollies to consider on Joybuy
These boxes contain ice lollies or sorbet lollies that can be served individually. Compare the number in each pack and the flavours with what your guests need.
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POP POLO, ice lollies, 5 flavours, 10 lollies, 700 g
Worth considering if you’re looking for a choice of flavours and 10 individual portions for Friday drinks.
Plan to keep them frozen on the way home.
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Maison de la Glace, ice lollies, 5 flavours, 12 lollies, 1 200 g
A pack of 12 portions could be a good fit if you’re hosting a group and want to offer a choice of flavours.
If anyone has an allergy, check the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging for the exact variety before serving. Keep the lollies in the freezer until you’re ready to serve them.
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Pop Fruit Mini, Sicilian lemon and blood orange sorbet lollies, 8 lollies, 280 g
These eight mini lollies offer two flavours, making them a good option for a small gathering where smaller portions are just right.
Bear in mind that these mini lollies are smaller than standard-sized ones. Check the allergen information for the exact variety and don’t refreeze once thawed.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, 6 lollies, 254 g
An assortment worth considering for a small group who’d like to choose between three flavours.
These are mini lollies, so bear the portion size in mind. This variety contains milk and may contain nuts; check the label if this is relevant to anyone in your group.
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PEPPA PIG, strawberry and vanilla ice cream lollies, 6 × 60 ml
The six 60 ml portions are worth considering for a small group who like strawberry and vanilla flavours.
This variety contains milk and may contain nuts and peanuts, so check the label if anyone has an allergy. Store at −18 °C or below and don’t refreeze once thawed.
Frequently asked questions
How many ice lollies should I get for Friday drinks?
Start with the number of guests and how much room you have for dessert. A box of four is a different proposition from a box of 12 or 16. Check the size of the lollies too, as a mini one won’t necessarily count as the same portion as a standard-sized one.
Should I check the allergens in a box of classic ice lollies?
Yes. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the exact recipe. For example, the Magnum vanilla-chocolate-almond variety featured by Carrefour contains milk, lactose and almonds. Don’t assume the same ingredients apply to other varieties.
When should I pick up ice lollies during my Friday shop?
Pick them up at the end of your shop. ANSES recommends carrying frozen food in an insulated bag; then put the lollies back in the freezer as soon as you can.