Hosts serving a small group
You want to plan one ice lolly per person, without having to cut up a dessert. Carrefour’s range includes boxes of 4 standard sticks or 6 mini sticks; ALDI also stocks a MUCCI assortment of 12 mini sticks.
Who are these sizes for?
Hosts who need to take allergies into account
Ingredients vary by recipe. The products listed by Carrefour include milk and almonds, and one also contains soya. Ask your guests about any dietary restrictions and check the label on the product you plan to serve.
Fans of chocolatey frozen desserts
The vanilla, chocolate and almond sticks listed by Carrefour offer this kind of treat after coffee. Just make sure the flavour you choose is suitable for the ingredients each guest can eat.
What should you look for before buying?
For coffee with friends, start with the number of guests and the portion size you want. Then check the recipe for each box and plan how you’ll get it home and into the freezer.
| What to consider | What to check | Who it matters to |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the sticks in the box, then choose between mini sticks and standard portions. | If I want to serve every friend without cutting up a dessert, I need enough sticks for the group. Around 36% of consumers would put the number of portions first. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients list, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the exact box you’re buying. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I’d rather check the recipe than rely on the flavour name. Around 29% of consumers would make this their top priority. |
| Flavours and recipe | Compare the flavours on offer and check whether the box contains a selection or just one recipe. | If I want to round off coffee with a frozen dessert my guests will enjoy, I’d look at the flavours first, once I’ve taken their dietary restrictions into account. Around 21% of consumers would prioritise their choice of recipe. |
| Transport and storage | Take an insulated bag and follow the storage temperature shown on the packaging. | If the journey or the wait before coffee makes storage tricky, I need to be able to get the sticks back into the freezer quickly. Around 14% of consumers would put storage first. |
Mistakes to avoid
-
Choosing by weight without counting the sticks
A box of 4 standard portions, a box of 6 mini sticks and an assortment of 12 mini sticks won’t serve the same number of people.
Count your guests, then compare the number of sticks and portion sizes before choosing the flavours.
-
Assuming one flavour suits everyone
The chocolate recipes listed by Carrefour contain milk and almonds; ingredients and ‘may contain’ warnings vary by product.
If a guest has a dietary restriction, check which ingredients they need to avoid, then read the label on your chosen box before serving.
-
Leaving the ice lollies out while you do the shopping
Transport and the wait before coffee are both worth considering when choosing a frozen dessert.
Anses recommends picking up frozen food at the end of your shop and using an insulated bag. Put the sticks in the freezer as soon as you can, and follow the instructions on the packaging.
Brands to know
Magnum
Carrefour lists a box of 4 Magnum vanilla, milk chocolate and almond sticks, each 100 mL.
- This format gives you an individual dessert portion for four people.
- This recipe contains milk and almonds, and may contain traces of other nuts. The information for this product doesn’t apply to the entire Magnum range.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists a box of 6 mini vanilla, milk chocolate and almond sticks, weighing 237 g.
- The six small portions make it easy to serve several guests without cutting anything up.
- The recipe contains milk, almonds and soya; Carrefour also notes that it may contain traces of other allergens. Even with the mini format, you should still read the label.
MUCCI
ALDI France lists, among other products, a MUCCI assortment of 12 mini sticks and boxes of 4 sticks.
- The 12-piece assortment gives you enough portions to cater for a larger group.
- If your guests have dietary restrictions, check the ingredients and allergens on the packaging of the product you choose.
Ice lolly sticks for coffee with friends
These Joybuy products include boxes of four portions and assortments of twelve ice lolly sticks. Choose the number of sticks and type of recipe to suit your guests, then check the information on each pack.
Image unavailable
Magnum White Chocolate Almond, 4 × 100 mL
A box to consider if you’d like to serve four individual portions after coffee.
The product name indicates four sticks, each 100 mL. Check the ingredients and allergens on the box, especially if a guest needs to avoid milk or nuts.
Image unavailable
CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, 12 pieces, 444 g
The pack of twelve sticks could be a good choice if you’re serving more guests, with orange and cherry flavours.
Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging before serving them to your group.
Image unavailable
Maison de la Glace Water Ice Pops, 5 flavours, 12 pieces, 1 200 g
The twelve sticks and five flavours offer plenty of choice for a group, as long as the recipes suit your guests.
If anyone needs to avoid certain ingredients, check the assortment’s label before serving.
Image unavailable
POP FRUIT Sorbet Sticks 100% Coconut, 4 pieces, 280 g
These four sorbet sticks are a good choice if you’d like a coconut flavour rather than an assortment of flavours.
Check the ingredients and any ‘may contain’ warnings if your guests have dietary restrictions, and follow the storage instructions on the box.
Image unavailable
Solero Berry Ice Cream Bars, 4 × 90 mL
This box gives you four individual portions if you’re looking for a berry-flavoured treat after coffee.
The product name indicates four sticks, each 90 mL. Read the ingredients and allergen information on the packaging before serving one to anyone with an allergy.
Frequently asked questions
Should you ask your guests about allergies before buying?
Yes. If a guest has a dietary restriction, ask them before choosing the ice lolly sticks. In France, the Directorate-General for Competition Policy, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control says allergenic ingredients must be highlighted on the label. Read the label for the exact product you’re buying, including any ‘may contain’ warnings.
Mini sticks or standard portions for a small group?
Choose mini sticks for smaller portions, or standard sticks if everyone would prefer a more generous individual dessert. Above all, compare the number of sticks with the number of guests: Carrefour lists boxes of 6 mini sticks and 4 standard sticks of 100 mL.
How do you keep the sticks frozen until coffee time?
Pick up frozen food at the end of your shop, carry it in an insulated bag and put it back in the freezer as soon as possible, as recommended by Anses. Then follow the temperature and any other storage instructions on your chosen box.