Hosts who want to avoid serving dessert on plates
If dessert is served after a long aperitif, a box of ice lollies makes it easy to hand out pre-portioned treats. Check how many are in the box rather than assuming there will be enough for everyone.
Who are mini ice lollies suited to?
Individual ice lollies are especially handy when everyone needs to be able to help themselves to dessert, without any slicing or serving with a spoon.
Small groups who want a choice of flavours
An assortment can bring together different coatings or flavours without you having to open several boxes. The Magnum Mini assortment listed by Magnum France and Auchan includes six 55 ml lollies, with Classic, Almond and White Chocolate flavours.
Hosts who need to consider allergens
Ingredients vary between assortments. The product information from Magnum, Carrefour Extra and Auchan lists dairy ingredients, among others; depending on the product, nuts, soya or traces of other allergens may also be mentioned. Always check the packaging of the box you choose before offering it to guests with dietary requirements.
What should you look for before buying?
For the end of the evening, first count how many people want dessert, then compare the available pack sizes by the range of flavours and the ingredients in each box.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Number of portions | Count the lollies in each box, then check the size of each one. Depending on the product, the options listed by Auchan, Carrefour France and ALDI France contain 6, 8 or 12 pieces. | I want every guest who chooses dessert to be able to have an ice lolly, rather than relying on the total weight shown on the box. Around 42% of consumers would put the number of portions first when making their choice. |
| Choice of flavours | Check which flavours or coatings are actually included and, if the box says, how many pieces there are of each. | If I don’t know my guests’ preferences well, I’d like to offer them a choice without opening several packs. For around 33% of consumers, variety would be the main deciding factor. |
| Ingredients and allergens | Read the ingredients, highlighted allergens and any ‘may contain’ warnings on the packaging of the product you buy. | If a guest needs to avoid an ingredient, I need to check the exact box before offering them an ice lolly. This would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
Three mistakes to avoid
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Choosing a box based on its weight alone
The total weight doesn’t tell you how many people can have an ice lolly. The assortments listed by Auchan and Carrefour France contain six or eight pieces, depending on the product, while ALDI France also offers a 12-piece Mucci pack of mini ice lollies.
Compare the number of pieces with the number of guests who want dessert, then check the portion size and flavours.
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Assuming an assortment is suitable for everyone
A box containing several flavours doesn’t mean its ingredients are suitable for every guest. According to product information from Magnum, Carrefour Extra and Auchan, the ingredients or ‘may contain’ warnings can include milk, soya or nuts.
Ask guests what ingredients they need to avoid, check the packaging of the product you’ve chosen and provide a separate dessert if needed.
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Taking the ice lollies out at the start of the aperitif
Ice lollies must be stored according to the instructions on their packaging. The DGCCRF notes that a rise in temperature can accelerate microbial growth; Auchan’s product information for the Magnum Mini assortment says to store it at −18 °C.
Keep transport time to a minimum, put the boxes in the freezer as soon as you can and only take them out when it’s time for dessert.
Brands to consider depending on the pack size you want
These examples are useful for comparing specific pack sizes; an assortment’s features won’t necessarily apply to other products from the same brand.
Magnum
The Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate assortment is a good fit for a small group looking to offer a choice of flavours in one box.
- Magnum France lists three flavours; Auchan says the assortment featured contains six 55 ml ice lollies.
- The box contains six portions. Auchan’s product information lists milk and includes nut-related warnings to check on the specific packaging.
Carrefour Extra
The eight-piece, 32 g mini ice lolly assortment listed by Carrefour France is a good choice if you want to serve smaller portions.
- The product information describes several chocolate coatings in one box.
- It lists milk, soya and almonds, and says the product may contain traces of eggs and other nuts.
Auchan
The Auchan assortment featured in its product listing contains eight mini ice lollies, weighing 258 g in total.
- The product information details several coatings, including milk, dark and white chocolate, as well as an almond version.
- The flavours described contain dairy ingredients; check the ingredients of each ice lolly if a guest has an allergy.
Mucci
ALDI France lists a 12-piece Mucci pack weighing 429 g in total, worth comparing if the number of portions is your priority.
- The pack contains 12 pieces.
- Check the flavours, ingredients and allergens on the box you choose before offering it to guests.
Individual ice lollies available on Joybuy
These products let you compare fruit-flavoured mini ice lollies, water ice lollies and chocolate- or melon-flavoured frozen bars for dessert at the end of the evening. Pack sizes and recipes vary, so choose a box to suit your guests, then check its ingredients and storage instructions.
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POP FRUIT Mini Sicilian Lemon & Sicilian Blood Orange, 8 sorbet ice lollies
A great way to offer two fruity flavours in individual portions. The box is listed as containing eight ice lollies, weighing 280 g in total; check the packaging for ingredients and allergens.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry, 12 water ice lollies
Worth considering if the number of portions is your priority. The pack is listed as containing 12 pieces, weighing 444 g in total; the product name indicates an orange and cherry recipe, but doesn’t confirm that these are separate flavours.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, 6 ice lollies
A good choice for a small group looking to choose between three flavours. Auchan’s product information for this assortment lists six 55 ml ice lollies, weighing 254 g in total, and says to store them at −18 °C. Check the allergens on the box you buy.
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POP FRUIT Mini Lemon & Raspberry Organic, 8 sorbet ice lollies
A great way to serve individual lemon and raspberry portions. The product comes in a box of eight; check the net weight on the packaging, along with the ingredients if any guests need to avoid certain foods.
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Binggrae Melona Melon, 8 x 70 ml ice lollies
Worth considering if your guests would prefer a melon-flavoured ice lolly to an assortment of flavours. The pack contains eight 70 ml pieces; check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
How many mini ice lollies should I get for a charcuterie evening?
Start by allowing one ice lolly for each guest who wants to finish the evening with something frozen, then adjust depending on what other desserts you’re serving. To compare boxes, check how many ice lollies they contain: Auchan lists a six-piece Magnum assortment, Carrefour France an eight-piece Carrefour Extra assortment and ALDI France a 12-piece Mucci pack.
Should I check the allergens in a mini ice lolly?
Yes, even for a small portion. The DGCCRF says allergens in frozen products must be declared in writing in France. Depending on the recipe, the product information listed by Auchan and Carrefour France mentions milk, almonds, soya or possible traces of other ingredients. Check the packaging of the product you’ve actually bought before serving it to a guest with an allergy.
Does the word ‘sorbet’ guarantee that a product is dairy-free?
No: the product name is no substitute for checking the ingredients. The DGCCRF explains that milk must be declared if a product contains it, including a sorbet. Check the ingredients and allergen information for the product you choose.
How can I keep ice lollies frozen until dessert?
Keep the journey as short as possible, put them in the freezer as soon as you can and follow the temperature instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF notes that a rise in temperature can accelerate microbial growth; Auchan’s product information for the Magnum Mini assortment gives a storage temperature of −18 °C for this product.