Begin by popping the corn kernels according to your preferred method, whether using a pan or a microwave, following the specific instructions provided.

Prepare six vibrant sugar colors: red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple. To do this, divide the sugar evenly among six sealable containers, zip-top bags, or jars, placing 3 tablespoons of sugar in each. Add food coloring to each container, using either a few drops of liquid food coloring or a small amount of gel food coloring. Seal the containers and shake or knead them thoroughly until the sugar is uniformly colored.

If you only have primary colors—red, yellow, and blue—you can mix them to create secondary colors. Combine red and yellow to make orange, yellow and blue to make green, and blue and red to make purple.

Heat one color of sugar with 1 teaspoon of water in a pan over medium-high heat. Allow the sugar to melt and caramelize without stirring to prevent crystallization. Keep a close eye to ensure the mixture doesn’t burn, as achieving the perfect caramelization might take a little practice.

Remove the pan from the heat once the sugar has melted. Quickly stir in two handfuls of popcorn, ensuring each piece is well coated with the colored syrup. Transfer the coated popcorn onto a plate to cool, leaving any clumps intact. You can separate them later if needed.

Repeat the process for each of the remaining colors, creating a batch of vividly colored popcorn.

For an optional twist, add a small knob of butter to the caramelized sugar mixture before tossing in the popcorn. Be prepared for the mixture to bubble vigorously. Stir continuously until you achieve a smooth caramel sauce, then coat the popcorn as described.

Allow all the popcorn to cool completely before serving, then mix the colors together for a dazzling rainbow effect.