There seems to be a current trend for fashionable beverages that have a fine glitter in them to make them swirl and shimmer when the bottle is shaken. When added to things like lemonade they impart their shimmer into the drink.
I decided to try making some myself with cheap supermarket-brand clear adult potions and two types of gold glitter. One is sold by Poundland for adding to fizzy grape based beverages (Noting that they also do a cake glitter which may cloud the drink with rice flour). The other is an ultra-fine cosmetic grade glitter based on mica. If you think it's a bit dodgy drinking something with mica in it then check out the ingredients of edible glitters at your local bakery shop. Many of the food grade glitters do indeed contain mica, although they may use the chemical name potassium aluminium silicate or refer to it as E555.
The coatings on the mica are usually a molecular layer of E171 (titanium dioxide) which adds a vivid white reflective coating on the mica, E172 (iron oxide) which adds a golden colour and sometimes other food colourings too.
The mica dust is so fine that it has a texture like chalk or flour in the mouth on its own, and no gritty sensation at all. It's such a fine powder that it easily gets airborne and sparkles in the air.
At the point of making this video I've misplaced the ingredients list for the Poundland glitter. I think it may actually be based on the standard mica version with a sugar carrier.
As always with any edible project I'll leave it up to you to make the decision if you wish to experiment with it or not. The eBay mica is always going to be an unknown variable, even if it is advertised as a cosmetic suitable for the lips. As long as it's fine enough (and this stuff gets airborne at the slightest disturbance!) then it poses less risk than some toothpastes that use coarser stuff. Adding it to a strong carrier spirit will also act as a steriliser.
Yes. The E555 reference was to celebrate 555K subscribers.
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16 thoughts on “Make shimmering drinks that glitter with e555 mica .”
  1. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars David Moran says:

    I think mica is too much like asbestos, so I'd stay away from it.

  2. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ekh Alilov says:

  3. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars ParadigmUnkn0wn says:

    The mica isn't the issue in cosmetic grade stuff, it's whatever they coat or mix it with to give it color. The white pearl is usually titanium dioxide coated mica.

  4. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars hmarc417 says:

    Is Mother Of Peril Eatable like the mica?

  5. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Fitzgibbon 97 says:

    It would’ve been good if you had put the links to buy the stuff

  6. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Ipsum the Purple Wuss - Loud Nation says:

    Did you check them recently?

  7. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hobo Sullivan says:

    Also: I've heard shimmery fluids like this (they were popular in the desk ornaments I was fascinated with in the mid-to-late 90s) called "rheoscopic fluids." Just thought that might be a helpful keyword to find recipes.

  8. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Hobo Sullivan says:

    I was curious about that weirdly-named drink you mentioned. It's very odd. Then, out of curiosity, I searched for a different f-word. That didn't turn up any drinks, but it definitely brought up some…peculiar videos.

  9. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Lautaro says:

    To get that effect the glitter has to be liposoluble or not?

  10. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars pounsfos pounsfos says:

    hey clive, how are they going? still in ya cupboard. also,seems all the internet videos use crushhed pearl dust, maybe give that a try and add it to the cupboard (video and counting not needed haha)

  11. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Judy says:

    can you drink this?

  12. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars MR Poopo says:

    Sooo how is the sediment? Does it still glitter when you shake it? Is one more cakey?

  13. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Jay says:

    £1000 for 2kg on a UK sellers site for silver…
    They sell a 2G sample for £20..

  14. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Caddy666 says:

    There a follow up to this, BigClive??

  15. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Elizabeth L says:

    Doubt this'll be read, but just rewatched the video! How are they holding up now, @bigclivedotcom

  16. Avataaar/Circle Created with python_avatars Niall Dewar says:

    How is it now Clive? Give it a shake for us!

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