Hosts serving several iced coffees
If you want to make several drinks without a coffee machine, check the jar size and the stated yield. Bear in mind that you may need to adjust this for your iced coffee recipe.
Who is this option for?
Hosts catering for different tastes
If some guests prefer a different coffee profile or want to limit their caffeine intake, make sure you know which coffee you’re using for each drink. You could also have a jar clearly labelled as decaffeinated as an alternative.
What should you look for?
For iced coffees served without a machine, start by working out how many glasses you’ll need. Then choose a jar size to suit the flavour you’re after, how much coffee you want to keep in stock and your guests’ preferences.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Enough for the group | Compare the jar size and, where stated, the number of cups based on the manufacturer’s recommended serving size. | I want to serve several glasses without running out of coffee too quickly. Around 25% of consumers rank having enough in reserve as their top priority. |
| Flavour once you add ice | Check the flavour profile or intensity of the exact product, then try it with your ice and any extras you plan to add. | If ice or milk changes the flavour in my glass, I’d rather be able to adjust the recipe before serving guests. For around 25% of consumers, the taste of iced coffee is the priority. |
| How much will be left? | Choose between a small 100 g jar and a 180–200 g jar, depending on how much you expect to use after the party. | I don’t want to keep a large jar for ages if coffee is just one of several drinks. Around 25% of consumers put how much they’ll have left over first. |
| Decaffeinated option | Look for the word “decaffeinated” on the product you choose and keep the drinks clearly identifiable when serving. | Some of my guests prefer to limit their caffeine intake, so I want to be able to offer them a clearly identifiable drink. Around 25% of consumers prioritise this option. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming the stated number of cups means the same number of large iced coffees
Auchan lists 110 cups for a 200 g jar of Maxwell House Qualité Filtre. A large iced coffee may need a different amount of coffee. For example, the NESCAFÉ recipe uses two teaspoons of instant coffee for 200 ml of water before adding ice.
Make a test drink with the amount of water, ice and coffee you plan to use at the party before deciding how many jars to buy.
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Confusing flavour intensity with caffeine content
The 7/10 intensity listed for POUCE instant coffee describes its flavour profile; it doesn’t tell you how much caffeine it contains. Anses advises people who are sensitive to caffeine to be careful, as well as children, teenagers, and pregnant or breastfeeding women.
To offer an alternative, choose a product clearly labelled “decaffeinated” and make sure each drink is clearly identified.
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Adding the same extras to every glass
An iced coffee recipe may include milk or a plant-based drink. Check the ingredients in these separately from those in the instant coffee.
Serve extras separately and check their labels, particularly the allergen information, before serving.
Brands and ranges to know
Carte Noire
Carrefour lists its Café Soluble Classique in a 180 g jar.
- Carrefour’s product details state that it’s an Arabica/Robusta blend.
- If you’re planning to serve large iced coffees, work out your serving size rather than relying on the jar weight alone.
Maxwell House
Auchan lists Qualité Filtre as a 200 g jar of freeze-dried instant coffee.
- The product details state a yield of 110 cups and describe it as an Arabica/Robusta blend.
- The 110-cup figure is the stated yield for the product; it doesn’t necessarily mean 110 large iced coffees.
L’OR
Auchan lists L’OR Classique Soluble in a 100 g glass jar, with a stated yield of 55 cups.
- The smaller size may be a good choice when coffee is one of several drinks on offer.
- It contains less coffee than a 200 g jar if lots of guests ask for a drink.
Plantation
E.Leclerc lists Plantation freeze-dried instant coffee in 100 g and 200 g jars, including a 200 g decaffeinated option.
- The decaffeinated option gives you a way to make a separate alternative to regular coffee.
- Check the pack size and availability of the exact product before counting on it for your party.
POUCE
Auchan lists a 200 g jar of POUCE instant coffee with a stated intensity of 7/10.
- The product details state that it’s 100% robusta and include serving instructions.
- The stated intensity doesn’t tell you what each guest will enjoy or give a precise caffeine content.
Jars of instant coffee on Joybuy
These Maxwell House options include a two-pack of 200 g jars, a single 200 g jar and a 100 g jar. Choose the amount to suit the number of drinks you need to make and how much coffee you want to keep after the garden party.
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Maxwell House Instant Coffee Filter Quality 200 g, pack of 2
This two-pack of 200 g jars is a good choice if you’re planning to serve coffee several times and want some left after the party. Adjust how much you buy to suit the serving size for your iced coffees.
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Maxwell House Instant Coffee QUALITE FILTRE 200 g
This jar is a good choice if you want a single 200 g size for several servings. Joybuy lists a glass jar with a yield of 110 cups; the number of large iced coffees you can make will depend on your serving size.
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Maxwell House Classic Original Blend Instant Coffee Jar 100 g
The 100 g size is a good choice if iced coffee is one of several drinks on offer or you’d rather have less coffee left after the party. Work out how many glasses you can make based on your chosen serving size.
Frequently asked questions
Can you make iced coffee with instant coffee from a jar?
Yes. First dissolve the instant coffee as directed on the product, then leave it to cool before adding ice. The NESCAFÉ recipe uses two teaspoons of instant coffee with 200 ml of hot water. Adjust the serving size to suit your jar and glasses.
Will a jar labelled as making 110 cups give you 110 iced coffees?
Not necessarily. The stated yield of 110 cups for Maxwell House Qualité Filtre 200 g doesn’t tell you how many large iced coffees you can make. This depends on factors including the serving size, glass size and amount of ice. Make a test drink before deciding how much you’ll need.
How should you store instant coffee after the party?
Close the container tightly and follow the storage instructions for your product. For POUCE instant coffee, Auchan recommends keeping it in a tightly sealed pack in a cool, dry place. The L’OR and Maxwell House product details also recommend protecting the coffee from moisture or heat.
How can you offer guests decaffeinated iced coffee?
Choose a product clearly labelled “decaffeinated” and keep it separate from the regular coffee when serving. Flavour intensity doesn’t indicate caffeine content. Anses advises people who are sensitive to caffeine to take particular care.