Swizzels Giant Rainbow Drops deliver 70g of sugar-coated puffed maize and rice at £1-2 per bag, featuring natural colours from beetroot red, copper chlorophyllin, lutein, and paprika extract in a pre-WWII recipe that’s brightened lunchboxes for generations. One 56-year-old customer purchased them again after childhood memories, noting “this is lovely,” with “lovely big bags,” “great quality,” “taste great,” and “great value for money.” Another reviewer confirms “flavor has not changed in over 50 years, just like I remember, reasonably priced, great product.” However, customers have mixed opinions about taste, with some finding it tasty while others describe it as awful, suggesting this retro sweet caters to specific nostalgic preferences rather than universal appeal. The 70g bags work perfectly as party fillers or lunchbox treats, being vegetarian, vegan, and Halal suitable, though produced with gluten present.
Rating: 3.5/5 Stars ⭐⭐⭐☆
Texture and Dietary Credentials
The magic lies in the texture—each puff of maize and rice is kissed with sugar and colour, creating a snack that’s featherlight yet loaded with sweet crunch, light as popcorn with airy melt-in-your-mouth properties. Unlike vegan chewy sweets or fizzy multicoloured belts offering dense chew or sharp tang, Rainbow Drops provide easygoing crunch that’s impossible not to share. The natural colouring system uses vegetable extracts rather than artificial dyes, appealing to parents monitoring children’s additive intake. Manufactured at Swizzels’ Derbyshire factory (operating since 1928), these maintain consistent quality with ingredients listing simply: Sugar, Maize, Rice, Glucose Syrup, Flavourings, and plant-based Colours.
Why Families Choose These:
- Party bag perfection – Parents report purchasing as “fillers for my child’s sweet cones for their birthday party” with satisfaction that they’re “typically cheap to buy in store” and “still have many bags left over,” making them budget-friendly for bulk party needs
- Inclusive dietary options – Suitable for vegetarians, vegans, and Halal diets simultaneously, covering most dietary restrictions at children’s parties or school events where mixed dietary requirements complicate sweet selection
Nostalgia vs. Reality Gap:
- Polarizing taste profile – While nostalgic buyers rave about unchanged flavor, some modern consumers find the simple sugar-coated maize taste “awful,” suggesting expectations shaped by contemporary sweeter, more intensely flavoured candies may clash with this restrained retro profile
- Lightweight portion concern – The 70g bags feel substantial in size but contain puffed ingredients that weigh little, potentially disappointing those expecting denser, longer-lasting sweets per bag compared to chocolate or chewy alternatives
Value Assessment and Purchasing Context
| Feature | Swizzels Rainbow Drops 70g | Haribo Starmix 70g | Skittles 70g |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £1-2 per bag | £1-1.50 per bag | £1-1.50 per bag |
| Texture | Light, crunchy, airy | Chewy, dense | Chewy, hard shell |
| Calories | ~300 per bag | ~280 per bag | ~290 per bag |
| Dietary | Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal | Some vegetarian options | Vegetarian (not vegan) |
| Heritage | Pre-WWII (1930s) | 1920s | 1970s |
| Natural colours | Yes (plant extracts) | Mixed | Artificial colours |
| Best for | Nostalgic buyers, parties | Universal appeal | Fruity sweet lovers |
Who should buy these: Parents organizing children’s birthday parties benefit from the excellent value proposition—one customer purchased them specifically as party bag fillers and remained “very pleased” with bulk pricing. Nostalgic adults seeking authentic retro sweets unchanged from childhood memories find genuine satisfaction, with multiple reviewers aged 50+ confirming the taste remains identical. Households with vegan, vegetarian, or Halal dietary requirements appreciate the inclusive formulation covering all three simultaneously. School tuck shops and corner shops stocking traditional British sweets maintain customer expectations, as these represent “one of Swizzels oldest creations” with generational recognition.
Who should avoid these: Modern sweet enthusiasts accustomed to intense fruity flavours, chocolate richness, or sour tang may find Rainbow Drops disappointingly bland and one-dimensional with their simple sugar-coated maize taste. Those seeking substantial, long-lasting sweets per bag will feel shortchanged by the lightweight puffed ingredients that disappear quickly despite 70g weight. Gluten-sensitive consumers must avoid these entirely as they’re produced with gluten present (maize and rice processing), making them unsuitable for coeliacs. Anyone prioritizing cutting-edge confectionery innovation over heritage recipes should explore contemporary sweet ranges rather than pre-WWII formulations.
Remember these from childhood? Swizzels Rainbow Drops haven’t changed since your grandparents’ generation—which is either their charm or their limitation. What’s your favourite retro British sweet?
