Objective： this study based on the chemical modification to prepare alcohol-soluble gardenia red pigment derivative， and evaluate its stability. Methods： the alcohol-soluble gardenia red pigment derivative was prepared by acetic anhydride esterification， and the optimum process conditions were determined. Then， alcohol-soluble stability of gardenia red pigment derivative was studied under different conditions. Results： UV-Vis spectra showed that maximum absorption wavelength of alcohol-soluble gardenia red pigment derivative was 531 nm； Determined the optimum technological conditions were： the ratio for material and liquid of water-soluble gardenia red pigment and acetic anhydride was 1 ∶ 20； incubated at room temperature for 4 h； Alcohol-soluble gardenia red pigment derivative can dissolve in anhydrous ethanol and water， expand the scope of dissolution； Alcohol-soluble gardenia red pigment derivative was stabilizable in indoor scattering light， high temperature， acid， oxidant and no Sn2+ and Fe2+ exists. Conclusion： the gardenia red pigment derivative was prepared by chemical modification method， as well as expanded the scope of the dissolution.