Gamers who prefer individual portions
A stick makes it easy to hand out an ice lolly without serving ice cream into bowls. To choose the portion size you want, check the weight or volume listed per stick, not just the word ‘mini’.
Who are these sizes suitable for?
Groups with varied tastes
A box containing several recipes can work well for a group gaming session. Check the flavours and allergens before offering it to everyone.
People organising a group session
The number of sticks helps you plan how many to serve. A box of six, eight or twelve won’t cater for the same number of people if everyone wants one.
What should you look for before choosing?
Start with the amount per stick, then check the recipes and the number of sticks against the number of people attending. Grams and millilitres measure different things, so don’t compare them as if they were interchangeable.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Individual portion | The weight or volume per stick and the number of sticks. Carrefour Extra lists 8 sticks at 32 g each; Auchan lists 8 sticks weighing 258 g in total. | When I’m handing out an ice lolly to everyone, I want to know how much I’m serving without measuring it myself; around 42% of consumers would prioritise individual portion size. |
| Variety and ingredients | The flavours in the box, followed by the ingredients and allergens in each recipe. | If not everyone likes the same flavour, I look for a choice of options without overlooking allergies; this would be the top priority for around 33% of consumers. |
| Number of sticks | The number of sticks in the box compared with the number of people attending; don’t assume there are equal quantities of each flavour. | For a group session, I want to know whether there are enough sticks for everyone; around 25% of consumers would put this first. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming ‘mini’ means a particular nutritional profile
The size of an ice lolly tells you how much you’re serving, but not, by itself, how much sugar or fat it contains, or what ingredients it’s made with.
Use the amount per stick to plan how you’ll serve them, and check the nutritional information per 100 g, as well as the ingredients list for your chosen recipe.
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Checking the box without checking each recipe
An assortment contains different flavours, and their ingredients may vary. Carrefour Extra and Auchan product listings mention milk and soya; Carrefour Extra also lists almonds.
Ask the group if anyone has allergies, and keep the packaging so you can check the information for the product you’re serving.
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Leaving ice lollies out after shopping
Ice lolly sticks need to be kept frozen. The DGCCRF reminds consumers that maintaining the cold chain helps preserve the quality of frozen food.
Pick up your ice lollies at the end of your shopping, take them home promptly and follow the storage instructions on the box.
Brands to know
These products show a range of pack sizes and recipes. Always check the label on the specific box you’re thinking of buying.
Magnum
Magnum offers an assortment of mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate sticks in a box of 6 × 55 ml.
- Several recipes in one box to suit different preferences.
- Check the allergens in each recipe; the 55 ml per stick can’t be directly compared with a weight in grams.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour offers an assortment of 8 mini sticks weighing 32 g each.
- The listed weight per stick gives you a useful guide when planning how to serve them.
- The ingredients list for this product includes milk, soya and almonds.
Auchan
Auchan describes an assortment of 8 mini vanilla ice lolly sticks coated in milk chocolate, weighing 258 g in total.
- The number of sticks and total weight work out at an average of 32.25 g per stick.
- The listed recipe contains milk and soya, among other ingredients; check the packaging before serving.
Trium
E.Leclerc lists a Mini Trium vanilla box containing 8 sticks and weighing 287,5 g.
- The pack gives the number of sticks and the total weight.
- Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact product, especially if you’re comparing several Trium recipes.
MUCCI
ALDI offers a box of 12 MUCCI mini sticks weighing 429 g, with milk, white chocolate, almond and Classic recipes.
- Twelve sticks make it easier to plan portions for a group.
- The assortment includes an almond recipe, so check the allergens and flavours on the box you choose.
POP’FRUIT
Auchan describes mini raspberry sorbet sticks coated in white chocolate, in a box of 6 × 47 g.
- A fruity recipe to consider if the group fancies this particular flavour.
- This isn’t an assortment; the white chocolate coating doesn’t mean it’s dairy-free.
Products for a gaming break
These Joybuy products include mini sticks to serve individually, as well as fruit ice lollies as an alternative. To choose between them, distinguish assortments from single-recipe boxes and compare quantities listed in the same unit.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond and White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
Worth considering if you’d like several flavours of mini sticks in one box.
Six sticks, 254 g in total. As the box includes an almond recipe, check the allergen information before serving the group.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 × 55 ml
A Classic-flavoured option for serving individual sticks.
The volume is listed per stick; check the label if you need to check the ingredients or allergens.
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Magnum Double Billionaire's Mini, x6, 282 g
Worth looking at if the group would prefer six sticks of the same recipe rather than an assortment of flavours.
The box contains 282 g in total. If the amount per stick matters to you, check it on the packaging, along with the allergen information.
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Magnum Mini Deluxe Caramel, x6, 330 g
A six-stick option if people are after a caramel recipe rather than a selection of flavours.
The box weighs 330 g. Check the amount per stick and the allergens on the packaging before choosing.
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CAPRI-SUN orange and cherry ice lollies, x12, 444 g
A fruity alternative in individual portions for a group that isn’t looking for mini creamy ice lolly sticks.
The box contains 12 ice lollies, weighing 444 g in total. Check the allergen information on the packaging.
Frequently asked questions
Does a mini ice lolly necessarily contain less sugar than a larger one?
No. The word ‘mini’ doesn’t tell you how much sugar it contains. Compare the nutritional information per 100 g and per portion on the packaging of the recipes you’re interested in.
Which allergens should I check before sharing an assortment?
Check the ingredients and allergens on the exact box, flavour by flavour if the recipes differ. The products described by Carrefour Extra include milk, soya and almonds; the Auchan product lists milk and soya.
How should I get mini ice lollies home?
Keep them cold on the journey and put them away as soon as you get home, following the instructions on the packaging. The DGCCRF highlights the importance of maintaining the cold chain when storing frozen food.
Can I rely on a particular box being available for a group session?
Check the product and its availability at your local shop before counting on it. Some ALDI listings for mini sticks show that a product is unavailable; you’ll also need to allow for the number of sticks your group needs.