Every bombshell has their guilty pleasures. One of mine is the thoroughly entertaining, campy, and (of course) sexy HBO series, “True Blood.” Sunday was the season finale of Season 2 and all weekend I was in full-blown party mode.
I wanted to post about the potential inspiration drawn from the series. I decided to go for the obvious ghoulish, red, bloody theme for a True Blood Party.
However, I could have always done something campy and unique like a maenad inspired, Dionysian feast. Inspired by the mysterious mischief-maker Maryann who throws one raging party. Back when we first met the beautiful Mary Ann, we knew she was up to something but we didn’t realize it was no good. She lived in a palatial home with a spectacular pool, she was always chopping up exotic fruit and she rolled a mean joint. She took in Tara and Eggs, saying that she was just trying to help get them back up on their feet, but soon she began throwing raging parties with orgiastic results.
Very evil, but sexy Greek God worshipper Maryann
Maryann whips customers in Merlotte’s bar into a writhing, dancing froth.
“Greek Mythology defines Maenads as the female followers of Dionysus. A literal translation of the name means “raving ones” In Wikipedia the Maenads are said to be inspired by Dionysus “into a state of ecstatic frenzy, through a combination of dancing and drunken intoxication. In this state, they would lose all self control, begin shouting excitedly, engage in uncontrolled sexual behavior, and ritualistically hunt down and tear animals (and sometimes men and children) to pieces, devouring the raw flesh.”
Maryann’s Dance: Get inspired
The menu would be tons of booze and lots of exotic fruit…
But I digress, big time! I promise to come up with a theme inspired by Maryann some other time. The pressing question is how do you have a classy Vampire-inspired viewing party?
I was inspired by this blog’s take on a Twilight theme party. I’m personally not a fan of the books, but I was taken with their romantic theme and featuring candle light as one of the focal points of their tablescape. As any Bombshell knows, mood lighting is key.
Again, not a huge fan of the books, but gotta love the sexy red theme.
Candles as the focal point
I’d probably go for red, white, and a couple of black candles thrown in.
You could make “blood drip candles” by drizzling melted was from a red candle on top of a white taper candle, then displaying them in cool candelabras.
Playing on the red theme, check out this tablescape* from Social Couture:
*A tablescape is the overall look of your table, and the area around the table. It includes the table centerpiece , the place settings, napkins, decorations, chairs, and anything else used to set the mood of the table. The tablescape can set the tone for the whole party, or gathering.
Now what to serve at a True Blood party? You could always get inspired by Merlottes and flip some Lafayette-inspired burgers and serve some of Sam Merlotte’s special chili.
But what about a romantic True Blood party? Let’s stick with the theme of red, finger food, and most importantly, drinks, and lots of them.
~Menu~
- Chocolate Dipped Strawberries
- “Cherry Gore”
Courtesy of the True Blood Wiki page
-Get ample Pitted cherries ( figure 1 cup per expected guest)
-Pit them
-Run through a food processor or blender until just chapped and mangled
-Get a baking tray (like for brownies or sheet cake)
- Spread cherry mash out in tray
- Put in freezer (not long enough to freeze them HARD – Just STIFFEN)
- Put in glasses and serve w/ spoon
This is also good with a variety of alcohol, ice cream, yogurt, etc. Its icy and it looks like bloody vampire viscera.
- Chocolate fondue / Chocolate fountain
Featuring white chocolate that’s been dyed red to look like blood, of course!
Just add red food dye to the white chocolate!
- Red Velvet Cupcakes that look like they’ve been splattered with blood
Just like these fabulous creations from Retro Bakery in Las Vegas
~Drinks~
- Vampire Kiss Martini
1 part vodka (chilled), 1 part champagne, 1 part Chambord
Pour vodka, then top off with Champagne.
Finish up with the “blood”: pour some of the Chambord
over the back of a spoon to make it float
White candles, dripped red melted candels on top
- Pina Gouhlada
A frothy drink is tempting enough, but one served in a red-rimmed glass is particularly enticing to monsters who drink blood. Corn syrup with food coloring tinges the classic pina colada with a devilish sweetness. Dip the rim of each glass into the red mixture, spinning slowly to coat. Turn glasses upright; the red liquid will drip slightly, then set. Pour drinks, and serve. Drinkers’ lips may be stained pink — much like those of a sated vampire.
- Strawberry Margaritas (throw in some extra red food dye)
- Blood Thirsty Marys
How to make a bloody rim for all of your seductive drinks:
From Hostess With The Mostess Blog
The “blood rim” is made from the same kind of mixture as you’d use to make hard candy. It’s actually pretty easy, but you will need a candy thermometer (which you can find at most grocery stores).
Ingredients:
1 c. Sugar
1/2 c. Karo Syrup
1/2 c. Water
Red Food Coloring
Cinnamon (optional)
Directions:
Combine sugar, syrup and water. Cook without stirring to hard crack stage – which is 300 degrees F. Add food coloring. (Optional: Cinnamon may be added for flavor.)
Turn off heat. While the mixture is still hot, dunk the top of the cocktail glass into the mixture to create the red rim. If you need to do several glasses, keep the mixture hot so it lasts longer (instead of turning heat off, just reduce slightly).You can go anywhere from just along the very tip of the rim to part way down the glass – whichever you prefer. Flip the glass right side up to cool. The thick consistency of the mixture will cause “drips” as it hardens on the glass!
~Non-alcoholic Drinks~
- Blood-Red Hot Chocolate
Those who want to sink their teeth into blood-red drinks will enjoy cups of hot chocolate, tinged scarlet with food coloring.
Shirley Temples
~Party Invites and Favors~
The True Blood Wiki has posted some awesome pdf’d party invites and labels to create your own True Blood bottles.
Print them out and stick them on Sobe or Jones Soda bottles.
For more inspiration, please check out this fantastic True Blood-inspired Birthday Party!!!
I promise to post more inspiration and my own True Blood finale party pics tomorrow. Stay tuned….
