Buckets of the Stuff
Alright, the moment you've all been waiting for:
Sara's 'Sanguinade' recipe.
This is a recipe for fake blood that is sticky and viscous, photographs AWESOMELY, can stain if it isn't cleaned up, and is edible and delicious.
3 packages cherry or strawberry (red) jello
1 bottle strawberry ice cream syrup.
3 tbsp chocolate syrup
1 tbsp peanut butter (if there's an allergy problem, substitute with more corn starch, but note the oils in the peanut butter will help keep it from staining skin)
~1 tbsp corn starch (to help with opacity)
2 cups unsweetened brewed tea (flavor is unimportant as long as it is a strong brown in color)
1 drop green food coloring
Red food coloring until it reaches desired brightness.
Additional water, corn starch, and chocolate syrup can be added to adjust consistency and opacity.
In a warm saucepan, melt the peanut butter (if using). Watch that it doesn't burn. It might. Watch it.
Add the tea, then jello powder. Dissolve. Stir consistently to keep the peanut butter and/or jello from globbing up.
Protip: when adding the corn starch, first mix it in a cup with warm water, then add it to your blood. Just like in cooking, this will keep it from clumping.
Add the rest of ingredients until it reaches desired consistency and color. Use blue, yellow, and/or green dyes in moderation.
Protip: add some of the ingredients listed. Add something extra. Experiment, test, and play around with this recipe! This is what I like to use, but I definitely make blood with whatever I have on hand when I need to.
Keep it in a jug or pitcher in the refrigerator. I always have one. It freaks out your houseguests.
Pull it out early on the day of the shoot to check consistency. Has it set like jello? DON'T PANIC. Put it back in the pan and reheat, adding 1/4 cup or so of water. It'll fix it right up (and warm it again so it doesn't freeze your skin).
As stated, THIS CAN STAIN. Food dye stains. But it looks great in photoshoots because of the brightness. I have an additional recipe for a much less stainy stageblood that will go up soon as well. (Spoiler alert: it involves soap.)
Have fun!