🥤 Baja Blast Mountain Dew Jelly
A Soda Pop Canning Adventure – Fun, Easy & Beautiful!
📌 In This Article
🥤 The Soda Pop Jelly Story
"Ok... while I'm canning I usually talk to my kids and tell them about canning and why I'm doing what I'm doing... I ended up telling them that jelly can be made from all kinds of things including soda pop. Long story short... my youngest got excited about this and requested a jelly made from his favorite soda. It turned out so pretty! Baja Blast Mt Dew jelly and it's actually pretty tasty." 🥤✨
This is what canning is all about – passing down knowledge, sparking curiosity, and creating memories with your kids. Soda pop jelly is a fun, unexpected twist on traditional jelly-making that captures the imagination of young and old alike [citation:3].
Baja Blast Mountain Dew has a distinct tropical lime flavor with a vibrant blue-green color. When turned into jelly, the fizz is gone but the bright, sweet flavor remains [citation:7]. It's actually pretty tasty – and it's a jelly your kids will be proud to have helped make!
💬 The magic of canning with kids: "My youngest got excited about this and requested a jelly made from his favorite soda. It turned out so pretty!"
👨👩👧👦 Why Canning with Kids Matters
- 🧠 Teaches Life Skills: Canning is a valuable skill that builds confidence and self-sufficiency.
- 🔬 Science in Action: Kids learn about heat transfer, preservation, and chemical reactions.
- 🎨 Creativity: Soda pop jelly shows that you can create something beautiful from everyday ingredients.
- 💛 Family Memories: These are the moments your kids will remember forever.
- 🌟 Pride: There's nothing like the pride of seeing a jar you helped make on the shelf.
💡 Pro tip: "While I'm canning I usually talk to my kids and tell them about canning and why I'm doing what I'm doing."
📦 Ingredients – Makes 2 Pints or 5 Half-Pints [citation:7]
Simple & Fun
- 🥤 3¼ cups Baja Blast Mountain Dew – or any soda of your choice [citation:2][citation:7]
- 🍬 4½ cups granulated sugar [citation:2][citation:7]
- 📦 1 box (1.75 oz) powdered pectin – or 6 tablespoons [citation:2][citation:7]
- 🍋 2 tablespoons bottled lemon juice [citation:2][citation:7]
- 🧈 ¼ teaspoon butter – optional, reduces foaming [citation:2][citation:7]
💡 Pro tip: "If you like this recipe, you can use other types of soda (Dr. Pepper, orange soda, etc.) in place of the Mountain Dew." [citation:7]
📝 Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1 – Prepare Your Station
- Involve the kids: Let them help measure ingredients and watch the magic happen.
- Wash jars, lids, and rings in hot, soapy water. Keep jars hot .
- Measure the sugar ahead of time and have it ready – you'll add it all at once [citation:2].
💡 Pro Tip
"Measure sugar ahead of time for best results." [citation:2]
Step 2 – Combine the Soda and Lemon Juice
- In a large saucepan, combine the 3¼ cups of Baja Blast and 2 tablespoons lemon juice [citation:2][citation:7].
- Let the kids watch the soda fizz as it's poured – explain that the fizz will cook off .
Step 3 – Add the Pectin
- Sprinkle the pectin over the liquid and whisk to combine [citation:2][citation:7].
- Bring the mixture to a full rolling boil over medium-high heat, stirring constantly [citation:2].
- Boil for 1 minute [citation:2].
💡 Pro tip: "A full rolling boil is a boil that cannot be stirred down."
Step 4 – Add the Sugar
- Add the 4½ cups of sugar all at once [citation:2][citation:7].
- Stir until the sugar is completely dissolved [citation:2].
- Return to a full rolling boil and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly [citation:2].
- Add the ¼ teaspoon of butter to reduce foaming (optional) [citation:2].
⚠️ Important: "Stir constantly to prevent scorching." [citation:2]
Step 5 – Skim and Jar
- Remove from heat and skim off any foam with a metal spoon [citation:2][citation:7].
- Ladle the hot jelly into sterilized jars, leaving ¼ inch headspace [citation:2][citation:7].
- Wipe rims clean with a damp cloth.
- Apply lids and tighten to fingertip-tight [citation:2].
Step 6 – Process in Water Bath
- Process in a boiling water bath for 10 minutes (adjust for altitude) [citation:2][citation:7].
- Remove jars and cool undisturbed for 12-24 hours [citation:2].
- Check seals – lids should be concave and not flex.
💡 Pro tip: "Skim foam for a clearer jelly." [citation:2]
🍽️ How to Enjoy Baja Blast Jelly
On Toast
A colorful start to any morning
PB&J
A fun twist on a classic sandwich [citation:5]
With Cream Cheese
Spread on a bagel with cream cheese
Over Ice Cream
A vibrant topping for vanilla ice cream
💡 Pro tip: "The Mountain Dew Jelly tastes delicious on peanut butter and jelly sandwiches." [citation:5]
👅 What Does It Taste Like?
You might be wondering – does it actually taste like Mountain Dew?
- 🥤 Not exactly like the soda: The fizz is gone, but the bright, tropical flavor remains [citation:7].
- 🍋 Slightly lemony: Some say it ends up with a slightly lemon flavor [citation:7].
- 🌈 Sweet and fruity: It's a sweet, vibrant jelly that's surprisingly good.
💡 Pro tip: "It actually doesn't taste like Mountain Dew after it loses its fizz. It ends up with a slightly lemon flavor." [citation:7]
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Can I use a different soda?
Yes! This recipe works with any soda – Dr. Pepper, orange soda, root beer, or grape soda [citation:7][citation:3].
❓ Why do I need to add lemon juice?
The lemon juice adds acidity needed for safe water bath canning [citation:2].
❓ Can I use diet soda?
Diet soda will not set properly because the sugar is needed for the jelly to gel [citation:4].
❓ How long does this jelly last?
Properly sealed jars last up to 1 year in a cool, dark pantry [citation:2].
❓ What if my jars don't seal?
Refrigerate and use within 3 weeks [citation:2].
❓ Can I use liquid pectin instead?
Yes – use 3 oz of liquid pectin, but the amounts may differ from the powdered pectin recipe [citation:3].
❓ Can I use Baja Blast Zero Sugar?
This recipe relies on sugar for the set. Zero sugar sodas won't gel properly.
❓ What color will it be?
Baja Blast has a beautiful blue-green color that makes a gorgeous, vibrant jelly.
❓ Can I add food coloring?
You can, but the natural color of Baja Blast is already beautiful [citation:10].
❓ What are signs of spoilage?
Bulging lids, off odors, or mold – discard immediately.
📄 Printable Recipe Card
╔═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╗
║ BAJA BLAST MOUNTAIN DEW JELLY ║
║ A Soda Pop Canning Adventure – Fun, Easy & Beautiful! ║
╚═══════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════════╝
YIELD: 2 pints or 5 half-pints | PROCESS: 10 min water bath
INGREDIENTS:
- 3¼ cups Baja Blast Mountain Dew
- 4½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 box (1.75 oz) powdered pectin
- 2 Tbsp bottled lemon juice
- ¼ tsp butter (optional, reduces foaming)
INSTRUCTIONS:
1. Combine Mountain Dew and lemon juice in a large saucepan.
2. Sprinkle pectin over liquid and whisk to combine.
3. Bring to a full rolling boil, stirring constantly. Boil 1 minute.
4. Add sugar all at once. Stir until dissolved.
5. Return to a full rolling boil and boil 1 minute.
6. Remove from heat. Skim foam.
7. Ladle into hot jars, leaving ¼" headspace.
8. Wipe rims, apply lids (fingertip-tight).
9. Process 10 minutes in water bath (adjust for altitude).
10. Cool 12-24 hours. Check seals.
STORAGE: 1 year (cool, dark place).
"It turned out so pretty! Baja Blast Mt Dew jelly and it's actually pretty tasty." 🥤✨
© CanningRebels — Baja Blast Mountain Dew Jelly | A Soda Pop Canning Adventure
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