Do you have an upcoming party and need to add a pop of color to your menu? Are you looking for a way to transform an ordinary dish into something extraordinary? If so, consider adding purple food coloring. Not only is this vibrant hue sure to make any recipe look dramatically different, but it can also provide a unique flavor as well. In just a few easy steps, you’ll learn how to make purple food coloring with common ingredients that are most likely already in your pantry. Stop relying on store-bought options and start making something truly special today.
Kinds of food coloring
There are several varieties of food coloring available in the market, but two widely used types include traditional powder and oil-based coloring. Each type has its own distinct advantages and disadvantages, so it is crucial to comprehend the disparity between them prior to making a purchase.

Traditional Powder Food Coloring
Powder-based food colors are made from ground-up pigments mixed with a starch or flour binder. They are a cost-effective option with a longer shelf life. However, they may result in uneven mixing and a grainy texture in foods. Additionally, powder colors can fade over time.
Liquid Food Coloring
Liquid food coloring is water-based and comes in a variety of colors. They can be easily added to batters, icings, and frostings. Liquid food colors are also fat-free and gluten-free. However, they may leave a slight aftertaste.
Gel Food Coloring
Gel colors are popular among home bakers due to their versatility and ease of use. They provide intense color saturation with minimal dilution. Available in a wide range of colors, gel food colors work well in both wet and dry applications.
Oil-Based Food Coloring
Oil-based food colors are made from natural or synthetic dyes dissolved in vegetable oil or alcohol. Brands like Color Mill use pigments for more vibrant and intense colors. While oil-based colors are more expensive than powders, they offer brighter hues that do not fade quickly. They also contribute to a smoother texture in foods, though proper mixing can be more challenging.
Is Purple cool or warm?
Purple is considered a cool color as it takes on some attributes of red within the cool color spectrum. Purple is considered a cool color due to its natural attributes, although it can be warm or cool depending on the concentration of red and blue.
What is the difference between Violet and Purple?
Violet is closely linked to purple. In optics, violet is a spectral color, representing specific single wavelengths of light. On the other hand, purple refers to different combinations of red and blue (or violet) light. Some of these combinations are perceived by humans as similar to violet. In general usage, both terms are used to describe a range of colors that fall between blue and red in terms of hue.
What two colors make purple?
The two colors that make purple are blue and red. The shade of purple produced depends on the amount of blue and red added to the mixture. Increasing the amount of red creates a redder purple, while increasing the amount of blue creates a bluer purple. Other colors such as white, yellow, and gray can be added to create lighter shades of purple, while black can be incorporated to achieve a darker shade of purple.
How to mix purple?
In color theory, purple is created by combining blue and red. I suggest starting with red and gradually adding blue until the desired shade of purple is achieved. This process applies to various mediums, such as paint (including fabric paint), food coloring, or any other applicable substance.
Things you’ll need to make purple food coloring
To make purple food coloring, you’ll need the following:
– Blue food coloring: 15 drops.
– Red food coloring: 80 drops.
How to make purple food coloring?
So, how to make purple food coloring? To prepare purple food coloring, combine fifteen drops of blue food coloring with eighty drops of red food coloring. Thoroughly blend the mixture and use it as needed.
How to make purple food coloring by traditional dyes?
To make purple food coloring using traditional dyes, you will need liquid dyes and gel food coloring. Start by using an equal amount of blue and red (or pink) liquid food coloring. Since gel food colorings are more intense, begin with small amounts. Using a drop stopper can be helpful to measure the number of drops per color. Keep in mind that the ratios are estimates, so it’s advisable to conduct test trials before applying it to your pastry.
First, skip the red food coloring and start with several drops of red or pink. It’s recommended to count the drops. If you’re making frosting, mix the colors directly but expect to stir more to blend them thoroughly.
Next, add an equal amount of blue food coloring to the red or pink mixture. Stir with a spoon until the desired purple shade is achieved.
If the purple shade is not achieved, you can try another method. Begin with 12 drops of pink food coloring and add two drops of blue food coloring. Stir until the desired purple color is obtained.
Once the purple food coloring is ready, apply a small amount of the mixture to the food you want to color. Note that adding a larger ratio of powdered sugar can result in a soft lavender shade. For a darker hue, you can always add more of the red-blue blend. If you prefer burgundy, add more drops of red.
Here are estimated drop ratios for different shades of purple:

- Basic Purple: 15 drops of blue food coloring and 80 drops of red food coloring.
- Grape: 20 drops of blue food coloring and 115 drops of red food coloring.
- Dark Purple: 30 drops of blue food coloring and 130 drops of red food coloring.
How to make purple food coloring by natural dyes?
Combine 2 cups of blueberries with 1/4 cup of water in a small pot. Bring the mixture to a simmer over medium heat and allow the berries to burst and break down. Use a potato masher to mash the berries, then strain the liquid, discarding the solids. Return the juice to the pot and bring it back to a simmer. Reduce the liquid to 1/4 cup and transfer it to a jar to cool completely. To make purple food coloring using natural dyes, add 1/2 to 1 teaspoon of purple color to 1 cup of royal icing.
How to make different purple hues food coloring?
To create various hues of purple in food coloring, you can alter the combination of blue and red. Begin with an equal mixture of blue and red, then adjust the amount of each color based on your desired hue.
For a blue-purple shade, start with purple and gradually add blue. The more blue you add, the stronger the blue undertones in the resulting purple hue.
On the other hand, to achieve a red-purple shade, introduce red to the purple mixture. The more red you add, the more apparent the red undertones will become in the purple hue.
Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
Greek Flag Blue | 0E55AD | 14, 85, 173 | 92, 51, 0, 32 |
Egyptian Blue | 0E1EAD | 14, 30, 173 | 92, 83, 0, 32 |
Trypan Blue | 340EAD | 52, 14, 173 | 70, 92, 0, 32 |
Purple | 6A0DAD | 106, 13, 173 | 39, 92, 0, 32 |
Purple Munsell | A20EAD | 162, 14, 173 | 6, 92, 0, 32 |
Flirt Purple | AD0E82 | 173, 14, 130 | 0, 92, 25, 32 |
Amaranth Purple | AD0E4C | 173, 14, 76 | 0, 92, 56, 32 |
How to make light purple (Tints) food coloring?
To create light purple (tints) food coloring, mix white with purple. The amount of white you add will determine the intensity of the color. Adding more white will increase the lightness.
Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
Purple | 6A0DAD | 106, 13, 173 | 39, 92, 0, 32 |
French Violet | 8410D6 | 132, 16, 214 | 38, 93, 0, 16 |
Singapore Orchid | 9B26EF | 155, 38, 239 | 35, 84, 0, 6 |
Medium Orchid | AF52F2 | 175, 82, 242 | 28, 66, 0, 5 |
Lavender Floral | C37DF5 | 195, 125, 245 | 20, 49, 0, 4 |
Mauve | D7A8F8 | 215, 168, 248 | 13, 32, 0, 3 |
Pink Lace | EBD4FC | 235, 212, 252 | 7, 16, 0, 1 |
How to make dark purple (Shades) food coloring?
Mixing black and purple food coloring creates a darker shade of purple. Gradually add the black food coloring to the purple to avoid overpowering it. Adjust the amount of black food coloring to achieve a less intense color. Experiment with different proportions to find the desired shades of dark purple.
Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
Purple | 6A0DAD | 106, 13, 173 | 39, 92, 0, 32 |
Amarklor Violet | 5A0B92 | 90, 11, 146 | 38, 92, 0, 43 |
Indigo | 4B097A | 75, 9, 122 | 39, 93, 0, 52 |
Persian Indigo | 3C0762 | 60, 7, 98 | 39, 93, 0, 62 |
Dark Purple | 2D0649 | 45, 6, 73 | 38, 92, 0, 71 |
Russian Violet | 1E0431 | 30, 4, 49 | 39, 92, 0, 81 |
Xiketic | 0F0218 | 15, 2, 24 | 37, 92, 0, 91 |
How to make muted purple (Tones) food coloring?
To make muted purple food coloring (tones), you can mix purple with a small amount of gray. Gradually add gray to the purple until you achieve the desired level of mutedness. Remember, the more gray you add, the more muted the purple tone will be. Additionally, you can create tones by mixing purple with its complementary color, which in this case is yellow. Experiment with adding different amounts of yellow to achieve the desired muted purple tone.
Name | HEX | RGB | CMYK |
Purple | 6A0DAD | 106, 13, 173 | 39, 92, 0, 32 |
Indiviolet Sunset | 67189F | 103, 24, 159 | 35, 85, 0, 38 |
Rebecca Purple | 652394 | 101, 35, 148 | 32, 76, 0, 42 |
True Purple | 632F89 | 99, 47, 137 | 28, 66, 0, 46 |
Eminence | 613A7E | 97, 58, 126 | 23, 54, 0, 51 |
Cyber Grape | 604572 | 96, 69, 114 | 16, 39, 0, 55 |
Independence | 5E5167 | 94, 81, 103 | 9, 21, 0, 60 |
How to make the cool purple food coloring?
To create a cool purple food coloring, start with a base of purple that mostly has blue undertones. To enhance its coolness, add more blue to the mix.

How to make the warm purple food coloring?
To create a warmer shade of purple in your food coloring, incorporate a small amount of additional red. Utilize the same red hue that was used in your initial purple mixture. Add the red to the purple to achieve the desired warm tone.
How to make vibrant purple food coloring?
To create vibrant purple food coloring, start with pure and bright colors. Mix a warm blue hue with a cool red shade. This combination will result in a perfect and brilliant purple hue. Other variations of red and blue can still produce purple, but it may appear muted and dull. It is important to begin with primary colors that are closer to purple. A warm blue color will lean towards red, adding a hint of purple. Similarly, a cool red color will lean towards blue, contributing a slight purple undertone. By combining these colors, you will achieve the desired vibrant purple shade for your food coloring.
How to mix purple food coloring with mica pigment powder?
Mixing purple food coloring with mica pigment powder can be done by combining blue and red mica powders. This can be achieved by either mixing them in powder form or mixing them in their medium first. This method can also be applied to other pigment powders as well.

Nia Grace is the owner and head chef of The Underground, a new quick-service restaurant in Memphis. After surveying the area’s dining landscape and speaking with local residents, she determined that there was a lack of restaurants offering international cuisine. Drawing on her own multicultural background (her parents are from Guyana and Jamaica), Nia has created a menu that features dishes from all over the world. Her goal is to provide Memphians with a variety of flavorful options that reflect the city’s diverse population.
That is a simple blend red#3 and either blue#1, for lighter purples, or blue#2, for deeper purples. Avoid using red#40 it is slightly orange in hue and only produces a muddy greyish purple. If using the 4 packs generally available keep in mind that blue will overpower red so add more red than blue.
Thanks for your share!
You could try mixing Blue and Red colourings. I have 2 purple food colourings one is Lavender the other Violet. The Lavender is a redder purple and the Violet bluer and slightly darker.
That sounds good!