How to Make Fake Blood for Costumes (Washable Kitchen Recipe)
To make fake blood, stir together light corn syrup, a little water, red food coloring, a drop of blue or green coloring and a pinch of cocoa powder. The syrup gives it the slow, glossy drip of real blood, the cocoa and the tiny bit of blue knock the bright red down to a darker, more believable shade, and a spoonful of cornstarch thickens it for scabs and wounds. The whole batch takes about five minutes and uses things most kitchens already have.
The catch is that homemade blood is sticky and red food coloring can stain, so this guide covers more than the recipe. You'll find a thin version for drips, a thick version for wounds, a washable option for costumes you want to keep, and the best way to get it off skin and fabric afterwards.
What You Need
- 1/2 cup (120 ml) light corn syrup (golden syrup or honey also work, see the variations below)
- 1–2 tablespoons warm water
- 1–2 teaspoons red liquid or gel food coloring
- Blue or green food coloring (just a drop or two)
- 1–2 teaspoons unsweetened cocoa powder
- 1–2 teaspoons cornstarch, for a thicker blood
- A small bowl, a spoon or fork, and measuring spoons
- A squeeze bottle or clean jar with a lid for storage
- An old towel, paper towels and a white paper plate for testing the color
- Optional: petroleum jelly or a barrier cream to protect skin, and a cheap makeup sponge or brush
Step 1: Mix the Basic Fake Blood
The basic recipe is syrup plus color plus a little cocoa, mixed until smooth over an old towel, since red coloring stains countertops.
- Pour the corn syrup into the bowl and stir in 1 tablespoon of warm water. Warm water loosens the syrup so the color blends in evenly.
- Add 1 teaspoon of red food coloring and stir well.
- Add one drop of blue or green coloring and stir. This is what turns "candy red" into a deeper blood red, so add it slowly; two drops too many and it starts to look purple.
- Sift in 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder and stir until there are no lumps. Cocoa makes the blood less see-through and gives it a slightly brown, dried edge.
- Smear a little on a white paper plate and look at it in daylight or under the light you'll be wearing it in. Adjust with more red, another tiny drop of blue, or more cocoa until you like it.
Step 2: Choose Thin, Medium or Thick
The same base becomes runny drips, everyday costume blood or a sticky scab paste depending on how much water or cornstarch you add. Make the medium version first, then split it into small cups and adjust each one.
| Type | How to make it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Thin drip | Add 1–2 more teaspoons of warm water | Drips from the hairline or mouth, splatter on props |
| Medium (basic recipe) | Use the recipe in Step 1 as written | Smears on skin, hands and costume props |
| Thick wound | Stir in 1–2 teaspoons of cornstarch and a little extra cocoa | Cuts, scrapes, scabs and zombie bites |
| Clothing only | Washable red paint thinned with water (not for skin or mouth) | Old shirts, bandages and props you don't mind staining |
For a scab, dab the thick version on, let it sit for a few minutes, then pat a tiny amount of cocoa or finely ground coffee over the top so the surface looks dry and crusty.
Step 3: Apply It Without Making a Mess
Put fake blood on last, after the costume is on and any makeup is done, and apply less than you think you need. A little drip reads better from a distance than a big puddle.
- Do a patch test on the inside of the wrist a day ahead, especially for children or anyone with sensitive skin. Wash it off if the skin turns itchy or red.
- Smooth a thin layer of petroleum jelly or barrier cream over the skin first. It helps stop the coloring from tinting the skin and makes cleanup much easier.
- For drips, put a small blob at the top of where you want the line and let gravity do the work, tilting your head or arm to guide it.
- For smears, dab on with a fingertip or makeup sponge, then drag lightly in one direction.
- For splatter on props or old clothes, dip an old toothbrush, point it at the target and run your thumb across the bristles. Do this outdoors or over newspaper.
- Let it set for a few minutes before you move around. Corn syrup blood stays tacky, so keep it away from hair you don't want stuck together and from upholstered chairs.
Tip: If you want blood on a costume you plan to wear again, paint it on a cheap layer you can throw away instead, such as a torn old T-shirt, a strip of muslin "bandage" or a thrift-store shirt worn over the real outfit.
Variations and Swaps
You can make good fake blood without corn syrup; any thick, clear syrup works, and each one changes the texture a little.
- Golden syrup or honey: both give a slightly warmer, thicker blood. Add a little more blue or cocoa, because their natural color pushes the red toward orange.
- Cornstarch and water (no syrup): heat 1/2 cup (120 ml) water with 1 tablespoon cornstarch, stirring until it turns clear and thick, let it cool, then color it. It is less sticky but dries out faster.
How to Get Fake Blood Out of Clothes and Off Skin
Act quickly, use cold water and keep the item away from heat, because hot water and the dryer can set red food coloring into fabric. Always check the garment's care label first.
- Scrape or blot off as much as you can with a paper towel. Blot, don't rub, especially on carpet.
- Rinse the back of the stain under cold running water to push the color out the way it came in.
- Rub in a little liquid laundry detergent or dish soap and leave it for 15–30 minutes.
- Wash on a cold cycle. Check the stain before drying; if any pink remains, repeat the soak and wash rather than putting it in the dryer.
- For skin, wipe off the excess, then wash with mild soap and warm water. Any pink tint left behind usually fades with another wash or a little baby oil or makeup remover on a cotton pad.
Safety Notes
Keep all fake blood away from the eyes, and rinse with plain water if any gets in. Food coloring and cocoa are not a problem for most people, but check for allergies before letting children wear it, and keep the paint version off skin; only the food-ingredient recipes belong near the mouth. Sugary blood attracts bees and wasps outdoors, so skip it for daytime events in the garden.
How do you make fake blood with stuff at home?
Mix half a cup of corn syrup with a tablespoon of warm water, about a teaspoon of red food coloring, one drop of blue or green coloring and a teaspoon of cocoa powder. Stir until smooth and test the color on a white plate. Add cornstarch to thicken it or extra water to thin it.
Does homemade fake blood stain?
It can. Red food coloring may tint skin and stain light fabric, carpet and grout, especially if it dries. Protect skin with petroleum jelly, wear an old layer over a good costume, and rinse spills in cold water straight away. Heat sets the stain, so avoid hot water and the dryer.
How long does homemade fake blood last?
Kept in a clean, lidded jar in the fridge, the corn syrup version is usually fine for about a week. The cornstarch-and-water version dries out and separates sooner, so make it the same day. Throw away any batch that smells off, grows mold or has been in someone's mouth.
Can you make fake blood without corn syrup?
Yes. Golden syrup and honey both work as straight swaps, though you may need a little more blue coloring or cocoa to darken the shade. For a non-sticky option, cook water with cornstarch until thick and clear, cool it, then add red coloring and a pinch of cocoa.
Fake blood is the finishing touch for plenty of costumes, from a zombie to a battle-worn wizard in a no-sew cloak or a witch in a homemade witch hat. Leftover jars make good props too: label them with our free potion bottle labels or set them beside your cardboard tombstones. For a zombie party menu, try the zombie brain Jello trifle and zombie cookies. Find more ideas in our zombie crafts section.
