Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend Water-Based Food Coloring — 6 Shades (20 ml) Pastel Tints for Royal Icing & Macarons

Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend is a set of six water-based food colorings designed to tint oil-sensitive confections like royal icing, macarons, meringues and jellies without affecting texture.

This Botanical Pack by Colour Mill brings six muted, nature-inspired shades — Dusk, Latte, Lilac, Olive, Rose and Sage — in 20 milliliter bottles each. Formulated as water-dispersible pigments, these Aqua Blends let you add vivid or softly washed color to sugarwork and other preparations that can be ruined by oil-based colorings. The pack emphasizes slow, controlled color building, allergen-free manufacturing and compact bottles designed for precision.

How do I achieve consistent color without over-saturating my batter?

Start with just a drop or two and mix thoroughly before adding more; these pigments are concentrated, so small increments prevent overshooting your target shade. For subtle pastel tones let the mix rest overnight to allow the color to fully distribute and mellow.

• Add 1–2 drops for pale tints, then pause and stir for even coverage.
• Use additional drops in single increments to deepen color gradually.
• If possible, let colored batter or icing rest several hours or overnight for a truer tone.
• Shake bottles well and pierce the seal with the lid before first use for reliable dispensing.

Which recipes benefit most from these Aqua Blend pigments?

Any recipe that is not compatible with oil- or fat-dispersed dyes is a prime candidate: royal icing, macarons, fondant, meringue, gelatin-based jellies and many beverages. Because the pigments are water-based and free of added sugar, they won’t alter sweetness or texture when used correctly.

• Royal icing and piped decorations where oils would break structure.
• Macarons and meringues that need stable air structure and even coloring.
• Gelatin or agar jellies and clear confections for clean, translucent hues.
• Drinks where sugar-free coloring is preferred for clarity and taste control.

Are these colors safe for people with common food allergies?

Colour Mill packages these Aqua Blends in a facility and on lines free of the 14 most common allergens, including milk, eggs, nuts, gluten, soy and shellfish. The product itself contains no added sugar and is formulated to avoid those listed allergens, making it suitable for many allergy-conscious kitchens.

• Produced and packed free of 14 common allergens for reduced cross-contact risk.
• No added sugar — helps preserve recipe sweetness and consistency.
• Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight to maintain pigment stability.
• Not compatible with oil- or fat-dispersible ingredients — use only in water-based systems.

How should I store and prepare the bottles for use?

Before first use, push the bottle lid to pierce the factory seal and then shake each bottle vigorously to mix the pigment evenly. Keep bottles sealed and stored in a cool, dry area away from sunlight to preserve color strength; prolonged heat or light exposure can affect pigments over time.

• Use the bottle cap to puncture the inner seal and shake well before first drop.
• Cap tightly between uses to prevent evaporation and contamination.
• Store out of direct sunlight and away from heat sources to prolong shelf life.
• Remember: these are water-based — do not attempt to mix into oil-based media.

Who is this for: Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend is aimed at home bakers, professional pastry chefs, and artisanal confection makers who need reliable, water-based coloring for delicate, oil-sensitive projects. If you decorate macarons, pipe royal icing, craft clear jellies or want nature-inspired muted tones without added sugar or common allergens, this six-color set offers compact, concentrated bottles for precise color control and consistent results.

Ingredients

Water, colors (E133, 120, 172, 102*), emulsifiers (E433, E405) thickener (E418), preservatives (E211, E202); asterisk (*) indicates AZO warning