Litres of Human Blood? Here’s What the Cast of 'The Vampire Diaries' Actually Drank — It Was Sweet
The creation process was quite meticulous.
The Vampire Diaries is more than just a teenage saga with mystical elements — it’s a whole world with its own rules, aesthetics, and, of course, a menu. One of the most essential parts of this universe was blood — litres of it flowing in every episode. But what were Damon, Stefan, and the gang really “feeding” on? Spoiler: not the poor residents of Mystic Falls.
The show’s creators devised an entire system of fake blood. The special mixture used in glasses, on lips, and on actors’ fangs closely resembled real blood — in colour, consistency, and even shine.
The Recipe for 'Vampire Juice'
At its core was a completely safe syrup: an edible mix of water, corn starch, and food colouring. Sometimes a little glycerine or honey was added for thickness and a believable gloss. The golden rule was no toxins whatsoever: everything had to be safe to swallow by accident and gentle on skin and mucous membranes.
According to the cast, the taste of the "blood" wasn’t exactly pleasant but bearable — mostly like cheap strawberry syrup. The worst part was when it stuck to teeth or got in the eyes during intense scenes.
Not Just Any Red
The colour of the "blood" was carefully controlled. Bright red was used for fresh bite scenes. If the blood needed to look "old," it was darker, closer to burgundy or even brown. Lighting and editing added depth and eeriness — on screen, it looked like the skin had just been torn away.
How They Applied the Blood
It was a whole ritual: the props team carefully brushed and sponged the lips, teeth, fangs, and even the actors’ necks. On set, a dedicated crew made sure the "blood" didn’t spill messily or stain costumes — especially during retakes involving kisses or dialogue.
Dark Magic — Safe and Stunning
Despite the show’s dark theme, actor safety was always the top priority. All ingredients were strictly tested. Even coloured contact lenses and fangs were custom-made to avoid any health risks.
It’s thanks to these little details that the series looked so convincing — and utterly captivating. Even in moments when it seemed Damon had just drunk human blood, in reality, he was simply having a syrupy snack before the next take.
