There’s no such thing as a natural blue raspberry–so, what’s in this popular electric blue-colored flavor, and what does blue raspberry flavoring taste like? Surprisingly, the flavor is designed to mimic an actual raspberry called ‘white bark raspberry’—which is neither white like its name nor blue like the flavor made after it. It’s tarter in taste than the raspberry fruits we know; blue raspberry also falls between citrus and candy, as far as flavorings go. 

Whatever it is and however it tastes, blue raspberry is undoubtedly a crowd favorite, as proven by the quintessential sight of children marveling at their blue-hued tongues during the summer. This is why Skinny Mixes has used this distinct flavor for its exclusive Unicorn Syrup. Together with the taste of creamy frosting and cotton candy, the sugar-free syrup is a delicious pantry staple for adding indulgent sweetness to your drinks and baked goods–without the added carbs or calories!

The History of Blue Raspberry

To understand the history of blue raspberry, we need first to learn a little bit about food dyes. In the 1950s, there were questions about the safety of FD&C (Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act of 1938) Red No. 2 food dye, also known as ‘amaranth.’ However, these were silenced after a report (funded by the food dye-making industry) was published saying this coloring was safe to consume. Over the next two decades, many flavorings used the coloring, and flavors that matched it–like cherry, strawberry, and apple–dominated the market.

In the early 1970s, however, many food companies switched to blue-colored flavorings, specifically those that could be dyed with FD&C Blue No. 1 to break away from the dominantly red flavor lineup. The blue raspberry flavor first came up in ICEE, the slushy convenience store treat. Raspberry was already an excellent beverage flavor—something they could push–but it had to be distinct from their flagship flavor of cherry, so the company decided to dye it with Blue No. 1, giving it a nice contrast to the cherry red. Around the same time, popsicle companies like Otter Pops and Fla-Vor-Ice also released blue-colored flavors.

In 1976, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) banned Red No. 2, noting that it caused tumors in lab rats. The growing market for blue flavors, and the safety-induced scorn against red flavors, encouraged more food manufacturers to embrace blue raspberry flavoring, which eventually became a household name.

What Is Blue Raspberry, Really?

Are blueberry and blue raspberry the same thing? They’re not–as previously mentioned, blue raspberry is taken from the taste of actual raspberry fruit and it, therefore, has no relation to blueberry except for the fact that they’re both berries. However, blue raspberry does taste different from the raspberries we know because the flavor more closely mimics a fruit called ‘white bark raspberry.’ Interestingly, this berry isn’t blue, nor is it white; it’s actually more purple. 

What Does Blue Raspberry Taste Like?

Blue raspberry tastes sweet and is slightly tarter than raspberry. It’s a good in-between flavor for people who like citrus-flavored food and candy-flavored ones. Though unflavored, its blue color also gives to its novelty.

Common Uses of Blue Raspberry Flavoring

Blue raspberry has become a commercial flavor. You can find it as a variety of ICEE, Otter Pops, Fla-Vor-Ice, Sour Patch Kids, Warheads, Fun Dip, Sno-Cones, Jolly Ranchers, and other sweet treats like lollipops, gummies, and hard candies. It’s also a popular flavor for baked goods.

What Is Skinny Mixes Unicorn Syrup?

Skinny Mixes Unicorn Syrup is a flavoring designed by the brand with the distinct flavor of blue raspberry and a mix of creamy frosting and cotton candy. It’s a delicious syrup to add to anything that might need a tinge of sweet-sour flavoring–and the best part is that it has zero calories, zero sugar, and zero carbs, plus it’s gluten-free, Kosher, and keto-friendly!

You can use Skinny Mixes Unicorn Syrup in beverages, baked goods, and more. It’s a great addition to cocktails, tea, lemonade, shakes, and smoothies. But it’s also a fun way to add flavor to a simple glass of water—or sparkling water if you want some extra fizz!

Get Unicorn Syrup From Skinny Mixes Today

Blue raspberry is a flavor that everyone loves, and Skinny Mixes has used it to make a delicious Unicorn Syrup that you can use to add some sweet-sour goodness to your favorite food and drink. Get a bottle of the Skinny Mixes sugar-free Unicorn Syrup today!