I am so, so excited that True Blood is back. I’m a bit of a fangirl when it comes to this show. I have several True Blood tshirts and other trinkets – and got the True Blood cookbook for Christmas. Since the show takes place in the south, it’s full of classic Southern dishes. There are also a lot of cocktail recipes, as a lot of the characters work in or regularly frequent bars – and these are a lot of fun to make while watching the show.

A lot of the drinks include Tru Blood as an ingredient. HBO used to sell it – it was a specially bottled blood orange flavored soda – but it’s been discontinued. Instead, they included a recipe in the cookbook so you could make your own. It’s a little sweet to drink straight, but it’s perfect as a cocktail mixer!

Homemade “Tru Blood”
(from True Blood: Eats Drinks and Bites from Bon Temps)
Makes 2 1/2 cups

2 c. orange soda
3/4 c. grenadine
1/4 c. lemon juice

Mix all ingredients together in a pitcher and stir to combine before serving.