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You might be thinking one of two things right now:
“Mountain Dew jelly sounds amazing!”
—or—
“That sounds absolutely terrible.”
It’s definitely one of those recipes people either love or question at first—but once they try it, they’re usually surprised.
Canning Expertise: Rachel Paxton is a certified Master Home Food Preserver with over 25 years of hands-on experience in safe home canning and food preservation.
This Mountain Dew jelly doesn’t taste like soda once it’s cooked. Instead, it turns into a sweet jelly with a light citrus flavor—similar to a mild lemon-lime taste.
Want to try making your own jelly at home?
Get my free guide with 8 easy, beginner-friendly jelly recipes you can confidently make.
It’s fun, unique, and one of my favorite homemade jelly recipes to give as gifts.
If you’re new to canning, be sure to read my water bath canning for beginners guide and see the canning supplies you need here before getting started.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
- Fun and unique jelly flavor
- Light citrus taste (not overly sweet)
- Great for gifts and conversation starters
- Easy to make with simple ingredients
- Perfect addition to your homemade jelly collection
Ingredients for Mountain Dew Jelly
3 ¼ c. Mountain Dew soda
4 ½ c. sugar
1 pkg. or 6 tbsp. powdered pectin*
2 tbsp. lemon juice
¼ tsp. butter
If you’re not sure which pectin to use, see my guide on what pectin is and how to use it.
How to Make Mountain Dew Jelly
Step 1: Prepare the Base
In a large saucepan, combine Mountain Dew and lemon juice.
Step 2: Add Pectin
Sprinkle pectin over the liquid and whisk to combine.
Step 3: Bring to a Boil
Heat over medium-high, stirring constantly, until the mixture reaches a full rolling boil. Boil for 1 minute.
Step 4: Add Butter
Stir in the butter.
Step 5: Add Sugar
Add all of the sugar at once and stir until dissolved.
Step 6: Boil Again
Return to a full rolling boil and boil for 1 minute.
Step 7: Skim Foam
Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
If you enjoy making jelly from scratch, you might also like my rootbeer jelly recipe, which follows a very similar process.
Canning Instructions
Ladle hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
Wipe jar rims, apply lids, and process in a boiling water bath canner for 10 minutes.
Remove jars and allow to cool completely.
Remove jars and let them cool completely on a towel without disturbing them.
If you’re new to canning, be sure to read my water bath canning for beginners guide and see the canning supplies you need here before getting started.
Yield
- About 2 pints or 5 half-pints
Tips for Best Results
- Skim foam for a clearer finished jelly
- Measure sugar ahead of time before starting
- Stir constantly to prevent scorching
- Use a large pot to prevent boil-over
Variations
You can use other sodas to make different flavors of jelly:
- Dr Pepper jelly
- Orange soda jelly
- Lemon-lime soda jelly
- Root beer jelly
What to Do if Your Jelly Doesn’t Set
If your jelly hasn’t set after a couple of days, don’t throw it out. Here’s exactly what to do if your jelly doesn’t set, including how to remake it successfully.
More Jelly Recipes
If you enjoy unique and homemade jelly recipes, try:
- Pear Jelly
- Apricot Jelly
- Chokecherry Jelly
- Blackberry Jelly
- Plum Jelly
- Rose Petal Jelly
- Dandelion Jelly
- Lilac Jelly
This Mountain Dew jelly recipe is a fun twist on traditional jelly making. Whether you’re making it for yourself or giving it as a gift, it’s always a conversation starter—and a surprisingly tasty one.
If you’re looking for more ideas, you can browse all of my canning recipes and preserving tips here.
- 3 1/4 cups Mountain Dew soda
- 4 1/2 cups granulated sugar
- 1 package or 6 tablespoons powdered pectin
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1/4 teaspoon butter
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In a large saucepan, combine Mountain Dew and lemon juice.
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Sprinkle pectin over the liquid and whisk to combine.
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Bring mixture to a full rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly. Boil for 1 minute.
-
Stir in butter.
-
Add all of the sugar at once and stir until completely dissolved.
-
Return to a full rolling boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
-
Remove from heat and skim off any foam.
-
Ladle hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving 1/4 inch headspace.
-
Wipe rims, apply lids, and process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes.
-
Remove jars and allow to cool completely.
-
Measure sugar ahead of time for best results.
-
Stir constantly to prevent scorching.
-
Skim foam for a clearer jelly.
-
Store sealed jars in a cool, dark place for up to 1 year.
-
Refrigerate after opening and use within 3 weeks.
Follow my canning and preserving board on Pinterest.
First time jelly maker here. How long does it take for this to set up?
Hi this will be my first time doing this, How much sure jell do I use to make make the different type of pop jelly