St. Patrick's Day Popcorn

A green candied popcorn. This is from the Taste of Home website - Sent in from Karen Weber of Salem, Missouri.

• Ready In: 15 mins
• Serves: 24
• Yields: 6 quarts

Ingredients

• 4  quarts  popped popcorn
• 1  cup sugar
• 1⁄2 cup  packed brown sugar
• 1⁄2 cup water
• 1⁄2 cup light corn syrup
• 1  teaspoon white vinegar
• 1⁄4 teaspoon salt
• 1⁄2 cup butter
• 8 -10  drops  green food coloring

Directions

1. Place popcorn in a large roasting pan; keep warm in a 250 degree oven.
2. Meanwhile, in a large heavy saucepan, combine the sugars, water, corn syrup, vinegar and salt.
3. Cook and stir over medium heat until mixture comes to a boil.
4. Cook, stirring occasionally, until a candy thermometer reads 250 degrees (hard ball stage).
5. Remove from the heat; stir in butter until melted. Stir in food coloring. Drizzle over warm popcorn and toss to coat. Cool.
6. Break into pieces. Store in an airtight container.