Guests avoiding added sugar
You want to control what goes into every glass rather than relying on the word ‘reduced’ or the name of a flavour. A black coffee base lets you choose the water, ice and any unsweetened milk separately.
Who is this option for?
Hosts serving several glasses
You’d rather tailor the strength and ingredients to your guests. A concentrate can be measured out glass by glass, but you’ll need to have everything ready to mix and serve chilled.
Anyone keeping an eye on caffeine in the evening
If your aperitivo is late or you’ve already had caffeinated drinks, consider your total intake. Check the amount of caffeine per serving if it’s shown on the packaging.
What should you check?
To choose between making it yourself and serving it straight away, start with your requirements around added sugar, then consider how many glasses you’ll be serving. Other checks depend on the ingredients you choose and the time of your aperitivo.
Black coffee concentrate
Worth considering: if you want to measure out several glasses and choose your own water, ice or unsweetened milk. The L'OR Pure Black concentrate described by Auchan contains water, instant coffee and an acidity regulator.
Bear in mind: you’ll need to mix it when serving and follow the storage instructions for the specific product you buy once it’s opened.
Ready-to-drink milky coffee
Worth considering: if having an individual portion ready to serve chilled matters more to you than making each glass.
Check: the ingredients before choosing it for an aperitivo without added sugar. The Starbucks Reduced Sugar Lactose-Free Caffè Latte featured by Carrefour contains milk and acesulfame-K; the ‘reduced sugar’ claim alone doesn’t answer this question.
| Criteria | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| No added sugar | Read the exact wording, the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line in the nutritional information. Check the specific variant you’ve chosen, not just the product range. | I want to serve iced coffee without adding sugar through the base I choose; around 36% of consumers prioritise this. |
| Making several glasses | Check the recommended measurements and have chilled water, ice and glasses ready. Check the concentrate’s storage instructions after opening. | Not all guests want the same strength or additions; around 29% of consumers put the option to customise their drink first. |
| Individual portions, ready to serve | Check that it’s ready to drink, review the ingredients and serving instructions, and don’t assume that a ‘reduced’ drink has no added sugar. | I’d rather put chilled individual portions on the table without preparing each glass; around 21% of consumers would make this convenience their top priority. |
| Caffeine, allergens and storage | Check the allergens, caffeine per serving if stated, and instructions for after opening. | At aperitivo time, I need to consider milk, caffeinated drinks I’ve already had or a product that’s been opened; around 14% of consumers put these precautions first. |
Common pitfalls to avoid
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Confusing ‘reduced sugar’ with ‘no added sugar’
These claims don’t answer the same buying question. A bottle may be convenient to serve without meeting your requirements for added sugar.
France’s DGCCRF reminds consumers that nutrition claims are regulated. For the product you’re considering, read the exact claim, the ingredients and the ‘of which sugars’ line.
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Assuming all flavours have the same ingredients as black coffee
For L'OR, the ingredients listed for the Pure Black concentrate by Auchan differ from those for the Mocha variant listed by Carrefour, which contains sugar.
Check the label for the flavour and format you’re buying; don’t assume information for one variant applies to another.
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Taking ‘lactose-free’ to mean ‘dairy-free’
The Starbucks Reduced Sugar Lactose-Free Caffè Latte featured by Carrefour contains milk. So the lactose claim doesn’t mean that the drink is milk-free.
If you need to avoid milk, check the allergen declaration for the exact product before serving it.
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Forgetting about opened products and other sources of caffeine
Once opened, a concentrate needs to be stored according to its instructions. Coffee served at aperitivo also adds to any caffeinated drinks you’ve already had.
Make a note of when you opened it, follow the label and check the caffeine per serving when this information is available. ANSES advises particular caution for people who are sensitive to caffeine.
Brands to consider, depending on the product
L'OR
The Espresso Pure Black concentrate featured by Auchan can be made with water or milk, hot or cold.
- The ingredients listed for Pure Black are water, instant coffee and an acidity regulator.
- The Mocha variant featured by Carrefour contains sugar, so check each flavour separately.
Starbucks
The Reduced Sugar Lactose-Free Caffè Latte featured by Carrefour is a 22 cl individual serving of milky coffee.
- This format saves you measuring out concentrate for each person.
- This product contains milk and acesulfame-K; the ‘reduced sugar’ claim alone doesn’t establish whether it meets the no-added-sugar requirement.
NESCAFÉ
Carrefour features, among other products, a Classic NESCAFÉ liquid iced coffee concentrate for dilution, designed for making a cold drink.
- The concentrate format lets you choose how to prepare each glass.
- If you’re considering a Classic or flavoured version for a no-added-sugar selection, check the ingredients on the bottle you choose.
Ready-to-serve black coffees on Joybuy
These two individual portions of black coffee are suitable for serving chilled or over ice, without diluting a concentrate. If no added sugar is essential, check the ingredients of the product you buy before serving it.
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CTB Black Americano, 230 ml
Serve an individual portion of black coffee, chilled or over ice. The stated size is 230 ml; if you’re monitoring your caffeine intake, check the amount per serving on the packaging.
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Caffe Bene Black Coffee Pouch, 190 ml
Offer an individual portion of black coffee, chilled or over ice. The stated pouch size is 190 ml; once opened, follow the storage instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does ‘reduced sugar’ mean ‘no added sugar’?
No. These claims aren’t interchangeable. To check whether a drink meets your requirements, read the exact claim, the ingredients list and the ‘of which sugars’ line, even if it’s ready to drink.
How can I make several iced coffees without adding sugar?
Choose a base with ingredients that meet your requirements, then serve it with chilled water and ice; offer unsweetened milk separately if you like. The instructions for the L'OR Pure Black concentrate featured by Auchan say to shake the product, then mix 30 ml of concentrate with 150 ml of water or milk.
How long can you keep opened coffee concentrate?
Follow the instructions on the bottle you buy, as they vary by product. For the L'OR Pure Black featured by Auchan, the instructions say to refrigerate it after opening and use it within four weeks.
Should you consider caffeine if your aperitivo is late?
Yes. Take into account any other caffeinated drinks you’ve had that day and your sensitivity to caffeine. Check the amount per serving if it’s stated; ANSES advises particular caution for pregnant or breastfeeding women, children, teenagers and people who are sensitive to caffeine.