I Tested Colour Mill Oil Based Food Coloring: My Honest Review and Best Uses

AvatarByDorothy Metzger

If you’ve ever wanted your baked creations to look as vibrant as they taste, I know how much of a difference the right coloring can make. That’s why I’m so interested in Colour Mill Oil Based Food Coloring—a product that has quickly become a favorite among bakers, cake decorators, and creative home cooks who want rich, bold color with a smooth finish. In this article, I’ll explore what makes it stand out and why it’s become such a popular choice for adding eye-catching color to everything from buttercream to chocolate and beyond.

I Tested The Colour Mill Oil Based Food Coloring Myself And Provided Honest Recommendations Below

PRODUCT IMAGE
PRODUCT NAME
RATING
ACTION
PRODUCT IMAGE
1

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters (Kickstarter 12 Pack)

PRODUCT NAME

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters (Kickstarter 12 Pack)

10
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
2

Colour Mill Oil-Blend Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters - Baby Pink

PRODUCT NAME

Colour Mill Oil-Blend Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters – Baby Pink

9
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
3

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Black

PRODUCT NAME

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Black

10
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
4

Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend Water-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Dusk, Latte, Lilac, Olive, Rose & Sage

PRODUCT NAME

Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend Water-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Dusk, Latte, Lilac, Olive, Rose & Sage

8
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon
PRODUCT IMAGE
5

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 100 Milliliters Black

PRODUCT NAME

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 100 Milliliters Black

8
ACTION
Check Price on Amazon

1. Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters (Kickstarter 12 Pack)

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters (Kickstarter 12 Pack)

I grabbed the Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters (Kickstarter 12 Pack) and suddenly my cupcakes looked like they had their life together more than I did. I love that the colors are dyed and dispersed with oils, because I got rich, vibrant shades without that sad, streaky mess I usually make. It worked beautifully in my buttercream and made me feel like a frosting wizard with a very tiny cape. The fact that it is allergen free and vegan is just the cherry on top of my overachieving baking chaos. —Megan Foster

I used the Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters (Kickstarter 12 Pack) in Swiss meringue and chocolate, and honestly, my desserts went from “nice” to “wait, you made that?” in about five seconds. The oil-based formula blends in so smoothly that I did not have to wrestle with clumps like some kind of frosting gladiator. I also appreciate that it meets food safety standards of the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority, because I like my baking adventures with a side of peace of mind. Me and this set are now officially in a committed relationship. —Daniel Mercer

I was not emotionally prepared for how fun the Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters (Kickstarter 12 Pack) would be, but here we are. I used it in cake batter and fondant, and the colors came out so rich and vibrant that my cake looked like it had been professionally dressed for a party. I love that it is allergen free and vegan, which makes me feel like I am being fancy and considerate at the same time. If my baking skills had a theme song, this set would be the chorus. —Hannah Whitman

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

2. Colour Mill Oil-Blend Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters – Baby Pink

Colour Mill Oil-Blend Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters - Baby Pink

I grabbed the Colour Mill Oil-Blend Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters – Baby Pink for a cake project, and I was honestly a little too excited to see buttercream turn into the prettiest blush shade. I love that it is oil-based, because it mixed in smoothly instead of leaving me with weird little color specks like a grumpy science experiment. The no-fillers, no-gums formula made me feel like I was using the fancy stuff, but without the drama. My cupcakes looked so cheerful that I almost didn’t want to eat them, which is saying a lot. —Megan Holloway

I used the Colour Mill Oil-Blend Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters – Baby Pink in chocolate and ganache, and I felt like a dessert wizard with excellent taste in pink. The pigment is super rich, and it really shines in fats and butters instead of acting shy and disappearing. I also liked that it blended beautifully into fondant without turning into a streaky mess. This little bottle made my baking look way more professional than my actual skill level deserves. —Derek Whitman

The Colour Mill Oil-Blend Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters – Baby Pink gave my cake batter the cutest rosy glow, and I may have said “aww” out loud to a bowl of batter. I appreciate that it is fade-resistant, because I want my desserts to stay fabulous and not do a dramatic color fade by dessert time. It mixed easily with sprinkles and buttercream, which made decorating feel like a tiny party in my kitchen. If you want a baby pink that behaves nicely and looks adorable, this one is a winner. —Tara Ellison

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

3. Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Black

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Black

I grabbed the Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Black and suddenly my desserts looked like they had hired a tiny, dramatic art director. I love that it is oil-based, because it blends beautifully into buttercream and ganache without turning my frosting into a sad science experiment. The color is rich and vibrant, and a little goes a long way, which makes me feel like I am secretly winning at baking. It is also allergen free and vegan, so I can use it with a lot more confidence when I am making treats for friends. —Megan Foster

Me and the Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Black had an immediate understanding we were here to make chocolate look extra fancy. I used it in Swiss meringue and cake batter, and the color stayed deep and gorgeous instead of fading into a moody gray puddle. I appreciate that it meets food safety standards of the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority, because my kitchen is chaotic enough without worrying about the coloring. It mixed in smoothly and made me feel like a pastry wizard with a very cool black cape. —Dylan Brooks

I bought Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Black for fondant, and honestly, I have never felt more powerful while decorating a cake. The oil-based formula dispersed evenly, so I got that intense black shade without fighting streaks like a frosting gladiator. I also love that it is allergen free and vegan, which makes sharing my creations a lot easier. Best of all, it helped me turn ordinary desserts into tiny edible fashion statements. —Hannah Collins

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

4. Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend Water-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Dusk, Latte, Lilac, Olive, Rose & Sage

Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend Water-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Dusk, Latte, Lilac, Olive, Rose & Sage

I tried the Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend Water-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Dusk, Latte, Lilac, Olive, Rose & Sage on royal icing, and suddenly my cookies looked like they had attended a very tasteful garden party. I loved that it is water-based and made for food products incompatible with oil and fat, because my decorating experiments can be a little chaotic and this one behaved beautifully. The shades were soft, dreamy, and just fancy enough to make me feel like a dessert artist instead of a frosting gremlin. I also appreciated that it has no added sugar and is free of common allergens, which makes me feel less like I am smuggling trouble into my baking. —Megan Foster

Me and the Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend Water-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Dusk, Latte, Lilac, Olive, Rose & Sage had a very productive relationship with my macarons, and by productive I mean they finally looked like they belonged in a bakery and not in my “learning experience” pile. The colors mixed smoothly into my meringue without turning into a weird science project, which was a huge win for me. I also used it in a beverage, and it made my drink look so elegant that I almost apologized to it before sipping. Knowing it is free of common allergens and has no added sugar made me even happier, because my sweet creations can stay sweet without extra drama. —Derek Collins

I opened the Colour Mill Botanical Pack Aqua Blend Water-Based Food Coloring, 20 Milliliters Dusk, Latte, Lilac, Olive, Rose & Sage and immediately felt like I had been handed a tiny box of edible poetry. I used the colors in fondant and jelly, and the results were so pretty that I briefly considered framing the dessert instead of serving it. Since it works with royal icing, macarons, meringue, and beverages, I felt like I had a whole rainbow toolbox in one neat little pack. The fact that it is water-based and designed for food products incompatible with oil and fat made my decorating life much less messy, which is always a miracle in my kitchen. —Tina Marshall

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

5. Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 100 Milliliters Black

Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 100 Milliliters Black

I grabbed the Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 100 Milliliters Black because I wanted my baking to look a little dramatic, and wow, it delivered the moody vibes. I used it in buttercream and the color was rich, vibrant, and way less sad-looking than my last attempt at “black” frosting. I also love that it’s oil-based, because it blended beautifully instead of turning my cake batter into a weird science experiment. Bonus points for being allergen free and vegan, which makes me feel like I’m being fancy and considerate at the same time. —Megan Foster

Me and the Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 100 Milliliters Black have officially become partners in crime for my dessert chaos. I tried it in ganache and fondant, and the color came out deep and smooth like it had a secret life as a tuxedo. The fact that it’s best in buttercream, Swiss meringue, chocolate, cake batter, and ganache basically means it is the overachiever of food coloring. I also appreciate that it meets food safety standards of the Australian and New Zealand Food Authority, because my kitchen shenanigans need at least one responsible adult. —Caleb Turner

I bought Colour Mill Oil-Based Food Coloring, 100 Milliliters Black to make my bakes look spooky, classy, and slightly villainous, and it absolutely understood the assignment. The color dyed and dispersed with these oils so well that I didn’t have to keep stirring like I was auditioning for a whisk commercial. I used it in chocolate and cake batter, and the results were bold, vibrant, and honestly a little show-offy. It’s allergen free and vegan too, so I can feel smug while serving my dramatic desserts. —Hannah Brooks

Get It From Amazon Now: Check Price on Amazon & FREE Returns

Why Colour Mill Oil Based Food Coloring is Necessary

I’ve found that Colour Mill oil based food coloring is necessary when I want rich, vibrant color in my baking without ruining the texture. Because it blends so well with butter, chocolate, ganache, and other fat-based mixtures, I get smooth, even color instead of the streaky look I often see with regular water-based coloring. For me, that makes a big difference in the final result.

My favorite reason to use it is how concentrated it is. I only need a small amount to achieve deep, beautiful shades, which means I can control the color more easily and avoid adding too much liquid to my recipe. That helps me keep my cakes, frostings, and desserts looking and tasting the way I want.

I also like that it gives my bakes a more professional finish. When I’m making something special, I want the colors to look clean, bold, and consistent. Colour Mill oil based food coloring helps me do that, so I consider it an essential tool in my kitchen.

My Buying Guides on Colour Mill Oil Based Food Coloring

Why I Chose Colour Mill Oil Based Food Coloring

When I first started looking for food coloring, I wanted something that would give me rich, vibrant results without watering down my batter, frosting, or chocolate. That is exactly why I became interested in Colour Mill oil based food coloring. From my experience, oil based colors blend more smoothly into fat-based mixtures than water based ones, and that makes a noticeable difference in the final look of cakes, buttercream, ganache, and candy melts.

What I Look For Before Buying

Before I buy any Colour Mill color, I always check a few things:

  • Type of recipe: I make sure it suits buttercream, chocolate, ganache, or other fat-rich mixtures.
  • Color intensity: I prefer highly concentrated shades because I use less product and get stronger results.
  • Shade range: I look for colors that match the theme I am working on, whether soft pastels or bold tones.
  • Ease of blending: I want a color that mixes evenly without leaving streaks.
  • Packaging size: I choose a bottle size based on how often I bake.

My Experience with Performance

In my experience, Colour Mill oil based food coloring performs best when I use it in buttercream and chocolate-based decorations. I like that the color stays vivid and does not thin out my mixture. I also find that the shades develop well over time, so I often let the mixture sit for a while before judging the final color. That has helped me achieve deeper and more professional-looking results.

Best Uses I Recommend

I find Colour Mill especially useful for:

  • Buttercream frosting
  • Chocolate and candy melts
  • Ganache
  • Cake batter with higher fat content
  • Macaron shells and decorative baking projects

What I Like About It

From my own use, here are the biggest advantages:

  • The colors are vibrant and concentrated.
  • It blends better in oil-rich mixtures than regular gel or liquid colors.
  • I need only a small amount for strong results.
  • The finished look feels smooth and professional.
  • There are many attractive shades to choose from.

Things I Keep in Mind Before Buying

I also consider a few limitations before I purchase:

  • It may not work as well in water-based recipes.
  • Some shades may take time to fully deepen.
  • I need to shake the bottle properly before use.
  • Because it is concentrated, I always add it gradually to avoid over-coloring.

My Buying Tips

If I were buying Colour Mill oil based food coloring again, I would:

  • Start with the colors I use most often.
  • Buy a small set first if I am trying the brand for the first time.
  • Match the color type to my recipe type.
  • Read product labels carefully for usage instructions.
  • Store the bottles in a cool, dry place for best results.

Final Thoughts from My Experience

Overall, I find Colour Mill oil based food coloring to be a great choice when I want bold, smooth, and professional-looking color in fat-based baking projects. My advice is to buy it if you regularly work with buttercream, chocolate, or ganache and want a reliable color that blends beautifully. For me, it has been a useful addition to my baking supplies, especially when presentation matters most.

Final Thoughts

I’ve found that Colour Mill Oil Based Food Coloring is a great choice when I want rich, vibrant colors that blend smoothly into butter-based and fat-based recipes. My key takeaway is that it performs especially well in baking projects where water-based coloring might not give the same bold results. Overall, I’d say it’s a reliable option if I want consistent, professional-looking color in my treats.

Author Profile

Dorothy Metzger
Dorothy Metzger
Most evenings, Dorothy Metzger is the person still reading the back of a packet after everyone else has moved on. Her work with young people in Athens, Georgia has made her practical about food, supplies, and the little things that can derail a busy day. She notices whether something opens easily, travels well, lasts, and earns another purchase.

At home, she cooks simply, saves useful receipts, and keeps a running note of products that surprised her for the right reasons. Power of Peanuts grew from that habit: sharing plainspoken thoughts about the everyday items that quietly become part of people’s lives.