Hosts serving a group
You’re looking for individual portions that are easy to hand out at a standing drinks gathering, with no need to cut or serve with a spoon.
Who are these formats for?
Hosts who want to offer a choice of flavours
You’d rather offer several flavours or coatings in one box than serve every guest the same recipe.
Hosts mindful of allergens and transport
You need to check the ingredients of the product you’re serving, then plan how to transport it and keep it frozen until your guests arrive.
What should you look for before buying?
For serving on the terrace, start with the number of portions you’ll need. Then compare the boxes by flavour, ingredients and how far they’ll need to travel before they reach the freezer.
| What to consider | What to check | Who is it for? |
|---|---|---|
| Portions and serving | Count the lollies in each box and check the weight or volume per stick, if provided. Carrefour, for example, lists a Carrefour Extra box of 8 lollies weighing 32 g each; its Magnum Mini Classic listing specifies 6 lollies of 55 mL each. | I want to hand out one lolly to each person without confusing the number of sticks with their size. Around 33% of consumers put portion sizes and serving at the top of their list of concerns. |
| Flavours | Check which varieties are actually in the box and how many of each there are, rather than relying on the word ‘assortment’ alone. | If not all my guests like the same coating, I want to give them a choice from one box. Variety would be the top priority for around 25% of consumers. |
| Ingredients | Check the ingredients, allergens and ‘may contain’ information for each recipe. If nutritional information matters to your choice, check it per portion or per 100 g. | Before sharing an assortment, I need to know whether each variety suits my guests’ dietary requirements. Around 25% of consumers would prioritise ingredients and allergens. |
| Keeping them frozen | Plan to transport them in an insulated bag and keep the boxes in the freezer until you’re ready to serve, following Anses guidance for frozen products. | On the journey from the shop to the terrace, I want to avoid leaving the lollies out of the freezer. Keeping them frozen would be the main concern for around 17% of consumers. |
Mistakes to avoid
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Assuming all ‘mini’ formats are the same size
Carrefour lists 32 g per stick for a Carrefour Extra assortment and 55 mL per stick for Magnum Mini Classic. As these are different units, you can’t assume the portions are equivalent.
Count how many lollies you’ll need and check the individual size on each pack before deciding how many boxes to buy.
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Choosing an assortment without checking each recipe
A choice of coatings is a bonus, but the chocolate varieties listed by Carrefour may contain milk, soya or almonds, depending on the product.
Before offering them to your guests, check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and ‘may contain’ information on the exact product you’re buying.
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Taking all the boxes out before you’re ready to serve
On a terrace, lollies left outside can start to defrost while your guests finish their drinks. Anses reminds consumers that food which has defrosted must not be refrozen.
Transport the lollies in an insulated bag, keep the boxes in the freezer and only take out the portions you’re ready to serve.
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Assuming a product you’ve seen online will be available in store
A Carrefour listing shows one fruit-flavoured product as unavailable for Drive collection, while E.Leclerc advises customers to check whether its TRIUM product is available at their chosen store.
Check the product and its ingredients with the shop or collection service you plan to use.
Brands and retailers to know for mini ice cream lollies
Magnum
Magnum offers mini vanilla ice cream lollies with a chocolate coating. Carrefour, for example, lists a Mini Classic box containing 6 lollies of 55 mL each.
- The stated volume per lolly helps you plan the portion for this product.
- Before sharing, check the ingredients and any ‘may contain nuts’ information on the box you choose.
Carrefour Extra
Carrefour lists a chocolate assortment of 8 mini lollies weighing 32 g each, as well as a separate mini fruit-flavoured product.
- The weight per lolly and the number of sticks are stated for the chocolate assortment.
- This assortment contains milk, soya and almonds, among other ingredients; check the fruit-flavoured product’s ingredients separately.
TRIUM / Marque Repère E.Leclerc
E.Leclerc lists mini lollies under this range, including a TRIUM box of 4 coconut lollies coated in white chocolate and almonds.
- This recipe offers something different from a classic vanilla and chocolate lolly.
- E.Leclerc advises customers to check availability with their chosen store. Check the ingredients before serving, too.
Auchan
Auchan lists an assortment of 8 mini ice cream lollies weighing 258 g, made with vanilla ice cream and a chocolate coating.
- The number of lollies and the total box weight help you plan how many to serve.
- The product listed contains milk and soya, among other ingredients; check the label on the box you choose.
MUCCI / Aldi
Aldi lists a box of 12 MUCCI mini lollies weighing 429 g, with a selection of coatings.
- A pack of 12 may be a good choice when you need to hand out more lollies.
- Check the varieties, allergens and product available in your local shop before relying on this assortment.
Lidl
Lidl has a range of ice creams among its frozen products.
- It’s worth checking this range if you’re comparing the ice creams available from different retailers.
- To choose a mini format, check the number of lollies, portion size and ingredients of the product on offer.
Individual formats available on Joybuy
This selection includes chocolate-coated mini ice cream lollies and individual fruit-flavoured ice lollies. For drinks on the terrace, choose according to the type of ice lolly you’d like, how many you need and the information on the packaging.
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Magnum Mini Classic, Almond & White Chocolate, x6, 254 g
An assortment of six individual lollies, ideal if you’d like to offer a choice of chocolate recipes.
The box states a total weight of 254 g. If the size of each lolly matters, check the portion size on the packaging before you buy.
Check the ingredients and allergens for each variety before serving.
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CAPRI-SUN Orange & Cherry Ice Pops, x12, 444 g
Individual ice lollies to consider if your guests would prefer orange and cherry flavours to chocolate-coated lollies.
The box contains 12 lollies and weighs 444 g in total. These are ice lollies, not ice cream lollies.
Check the ingredients and any allergen information on the packaging before serving.
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Magnum Mini Classic, 6 × 55 mL
A box to consider if you want to know the volume of each lolly before planning how many to serve.
It contains six Mini Classic lollies, each 55 mL, with vanilla ice cream and a milk chocolate coating.
The recipe contains milk and soya and may contain almonds; check the label before offering it to a guest with an allergy or dietary restriction.
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Magnum Mini Deluxe Caramel, x6, 330 g
Six individual lollies for serving a caramel recipe at your gathering.
The box states a total weight of 330 g. If you’re comparing the size of each lolly, check the portion per stick on the packaging.
Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions on the box you choose.
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Magnum Double Billionaire's Mini, x6, 282 g
A box of six mini lollies to consider if you’re looking for the Double Billionaire's recipe to serve at your gathering.
The stated total weight is 282 g. Check the packaging to compare the individual portion with those in other boxes.
Check the ingredients, allergens and storage instructions before serving.
Frequently asked questions
How many mini ice cream lollies should I allow per person?
Count how many people are likely to have one, then compare the number of lollies in each box with the size of each portion. Carrefour lists a Carrefour Extra assortment of 8 lollies weighing 32 g each; Auchan has a box of 8 weighing 258 g, and Aldi lists a box of 12 MUCCI lollies weighing 429 g. The total weight doesn’t tell you how many sticks are in the box.
Does ‘mini’ necessarily mean a lolly has a low nutritional value?
No: ‘mini’ describes the format, not the nutritional value. Carrefour’s Magnum Mini Classic listing states 137 kcal and 8.7 g of fat per 55 mL lolly. To compare two products, check the nutritional information per portion and per 100 g on their respective packaging.
What should I check if a guest has a food allergy?
Check the ingredients, highlighted allergens and ‘may contain’ information on the packaging of the exact product, for each variety in turn. The chocolate assortments listed by Carrefour include milk, soya or almonds, depending on the recipe; the flavour name alone doesn’t tell you what’s in it.
How should I transport and serve these lollies on the terrace?
Buy frozen products at the end of your shop, transport them in an insulated bag and keep them in the freezer until you’re ready to serve, as Anses recommends to maintain the cold chain. Take the lollies out when you’re ready to hand them round; Anses reminds consumers that food which has defrosted must not be refrozen.