For a get-together with friends, first work out how many ice lollies you’ll need and ask which flavours your guests enjoy. A mixed selection means you won’t have to settle on just one recipe. If you’d prefer something with several textures, check the ingredients and allergens for the product you choose, then make sure you can keep the ice lollies frozen on the way home.
If your guests don’t all like the same flavour, a box with a mix of recipes lets everyone choose for themselves. Joybuy France, for example, offers a Magnum assortment of Classic, Almond and White Chocolate.
Perhaps you’re looking for a coating, crunchy pieces or a pronounced pistachio flavour. Auchan’s product listing for Magnum Pistachio describes pistachio ice cream with pistachio paste. Check the exact ingredients before serving.
To make sure there’s an ice lolly for everyone, check how many are in the box. E.Leclerc and Aldi catalogues feature sharing-size packs under the Trium and Mucci brands.
For a get-together with friends, count your guests before choosing between flavours. Then check the dietary requirements and storage instructions for each product you’re considering.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Range of flavours | Which recipes are included in the box and how many of each flavour there are. | If my guests have different tastes, I’d rather let them choose than serve just one recipe. Around 43 % of consumers say variety is their top priority. |
| Textures and ingredients | Whether it has a coating, sauce or crunchy pieces; the ingredients and allergen information for the exact product. | If I want to finish the get-together with something that has a range of textures, I can choose an ice lolly that combines different elements, as long as it’s suitable for my guests. This is the top priority for around 29 % of consumers. |
| Number of portions | How many ice lollies are in the box compared with the number of people who’ll want one. | If everyone wants dessert, I don’t want to find myself short of ice lollies. The quantity to serve is the top priority for around 28 % of consumers. |
A coating or crunchy pieces may come with ingredients that some guests need to avoid. Carrefour’s product listing for Magnum Classic mentions milk and the possible presence of several tree nuts; the Magnum Pistachio recipe described by Auchan contains pistachio.
Ask guests about any dietary restrictions and check the ingredients and “may contain” statements on the exact packaging.
A box of four with just one recipe won’t be enough if more people want dessert. The boxes and assortments offered by different retailers don’t all contain the same number of ice lollies.
Count the portions before you shop and choose a pack size that suits your group and the other desserts you’re planning to serve.
Ice lollies need to stay frozen between the shop and your freezer.
The DGCCRF advises buying frozen food last, using an insulated bag and keeping travel time to a minimum. Then follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging.
The range includes Classic ice lollies, mini versions, assortments and recipes such as Pistachio and Double Caramel.
Carrefour France’s range includes Double Chocolate, Double Salted Caramel and Vanilla Macadamia ice lollies.
E.Leclerc offers ice lollies under the Trium brand, including vanilla covered in milk chocolate and almonds.
Aldi France’s Mucci range includes ice creams and sorbets, including ice lollies with a double coating.
This selection includes two pistachio frozen desserts and a coconut sorbet on a stick. To choose between them, compare the flavour, number of lollies and the packaging information relevant to your guests.
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A pistachio option for four people, if everyone has one ice lolly. The product name states that it has a white chocolate coating and comes in a box of four, weighing 312 g.
Milk, pistachios and soya are listed as allergens; other traces may also be present. Check the packaging before serving. Store at −18 °C or below and do not refreeze after thawing.
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This pistachio option gives you five 70 ml portions for guests who enjoy this flavour.
Milk and pistachios are listed as allergens, so check the exact packaging. Store below −18 °C; once opened, follow the consumption instructions on the product.
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This coconut sorbet on a stick offers a different flavour from the two pistachio options. The box contains four, weighing 280 g.
Traces of several allergens, including milk and tree nuts, are listed. Check the packaging if any of your guests need to avoid these. Store at −18 °C and do not refreeze after thawing.
Count the people who want dessert, then check how many ice lollies are in each box. If you’re offering several flavours, also check how many of each recipe will be available.
Don’t assume it is based on the chocolate flavour alone. Carrefour’s listing for Magnum Classic mentions the possible presence of several tree nuts. Read the information on the packaging of the product you’ve bought and check with the guest concerned before serving.
Pick them up last and carry them in an insulated bag, keeping the journey as short as possible, in line with DGCCRF advice. Put them in the freezer promptly at the temperature shown on the packaging.