1/3cupvodkaor other high proof alcohol, or glycerin
Instructions
Choose one of the colorant choices above and one of the extration ingredients (alcohol or glycerin).
When using fresh cabbage leaves
Either cut the leaves into small pieces or juice them. Add the pieces to a small bottle or jar with enough alcohol to fully cover them. If using juice, mix the juice with alcohol to dilute the color and help preserve your coloring. (The final alcohol concentration should be over 20% for safe preservation.)
After steeping for several hours, the plant material can be strained out by pouring the mixture through a cloth or coffee filter.
When using dried flowers or powders
Mix together either butterfly pea flowers or one of the powders (a powder made from the flowers or dried cabbage leaves) with some alcohol or glycerin. (Water can also be used if you aren't concerned with preserving the homemade coloring.)
The mixture can be used as-is immediately or allowed to steep for several hours. After steeping, the powders can be strained out with a cloth or coffee filter (or it can be used without straining). Straining may lighten the color of the coloring. Experiment to find the look that works best for your project.
Storing
Colorings made without alcohol or glycerin should be stored, covered, in the refrigerator and used within 5 days. If the alcohol concentration is high enough (over 20%), you can keep your coloring for longer. Pour the liquid into small bottles and store in a cool, dry place for up to several weeks. (After that time, it's probably still safe to use them, but I find that the colors often change with time.)If using glycerin, it should make up 50% of the concentration for safe storage.
Video
Notes
The nutritional information is an estimate for 1 tsp. of a vodka-based homemade food coloring. It will vary slightly depending upon the ingredient used to color the vodka. Glycerin can also be used to make an alcohol-free coloring.To preserve the colorings, make sure that the final concentration of alcohol is above 20% or that the final glycerin concentration is above 50%. Keep in mind that some fresh foods may give off water to the alcohol or glycerin which may lower the final percentages.