Bye bye Westeros, hello Bon Temps!
When I sat down to think up of what, aside from blood, is the most consumed food on the HBO hit series, True Blood, the only thing that kept creeping into my mind was Sam Merlot’s burgers and Lafayette’s gumbo. Then my brain went right back to blood.
We tried to purchase the official True Blood beverage, but they’re “getting their blood pumping again” so sadly, nothing for sale. Then there’s Blood Energy Potion, which I was first introduced to one night upon opening my friend’s fridge and seeing the bag hanging on the second self, alongside some kale and spinach. Apparently it tastes like fruit punch.
But let’s have a go, shall we? What else (aside from a frosty beer) are you going to sip on while watching humans battling vampires fighting werewolves attacking shape-shifters chasing witches?
For this recipe we wanted to stray away from the dangers of making a cocktail that was too red and sweet. Since the coloring needed to make a drink look like blood means we’re in the realm of needing grenadine.
So to counter out the sweetness of grenadine, we reached for a vodka that was more acidic and tart: SKKY Blood (HA!) Orange Vodka
For a base and too add chill, go with frozen strawberries. If you’re tossing in fresh strawberries pair each up with an ice cube, but be wary, that ice will dilute your blood.
The Combination goes like this:
- SKKY Blood Orange Vodka
- Grenadine
- Frozen Strawberries
- Lemon Tonic
- In your blender, add 1½ cups frozen strawberries. Top with one shot glass (1.6 oz) of grenadine and ⅓ of the SKKY Blood Orange Vodka. Splash some lemon tonic onto and blend on high for 30 seconds. Pour into glass and relish.
This TruBlood cocktail will be not too sweet thanks to the tang from the blood orange vodka and lemon tonic, which really keeps to the spirit of TruBlood from the series, as the alternative to real, human blood. If you like your blood smooth, strain after blending through cheesecloth.
Enjoy!
Sink your Fangs Into More True Blood Recipes
The Trubies over at True-Blood.net have partnered up with award-winning baker JoAnn Mathias to compile the Ultimate Un-official True Blood Cookbook, and while the recipes are still buried 6ft under with their makers, you can read the table of contents and recipe titles here.
Then there’s the Official True Blood Cookbook by Gianna Sobol and Alan Ball. With contributions by Karen Sommer Shalett and Marcelle Beinvenu.
Menus at the now-famous Fangtasia and Merlotte’s Bar and Grill play a key role in the series, providing sustenance for its human characters, evoking memories of a bygone life for its vampires, and serving as a powerful symbol for the desires and carnal needs the characters harbor. It’s no wonder so many fans revel in at-home parties inspired by the food on the series! With recipes from unforgettable scenes, each entertainingly introduced by True Blood’s most compelling characters, these 85 authentic bayou country recipes and 150-plus photos from the series give fans a big taste of Bon Temps.
