September Pixie

My BFF came over and we decided to make some pretty unusual jellies! We ended up following 2 web recipes for lime and mountain dew jelly and she took home a few jars of some awesome pumpkin butter. The only problem with web recipes is you never know if they will gel or if they have been tested and I suspect ours had not because they did not gel. I knew I should have brought Agar!

There is a difference between regular pectin and liquid pectin (and you probably want liquid with this type of recipe!).. but neither worked for us even when we doubled the dose! I took my jelly home, added agar and viola! If you continue to cook down to concentrate the flavor of the mountain dew it will discolor the jelly.. anyway, on to the recipe!

Mountain Dew Jelly
3 1/4 cups Mountain Dew soda
2 tablespoons lemon juice
4 1/2 cups sugar
1 package Sure Jell pectin or aprox. 1tsp Agar powder
NOTE: I recommend adding the agar 1/4tsp at a time until desired thickness is reached. Keep in mind that it thickens slightly as it cools. Adding too much Agar will result in being able to slice with a knife, a little goes a long way!

Read the directions for jelly on the Sure Jell box.
Get your canning implements ready, and make sure your jars are prepped and clean.
In a large pot, combine the Mt. Dew and lemon juice and bring to a boil.
Allow to boil for 3 minutes. Let cool slightly.
Follow the Sure Jell directions for making jelly.. or add the agar and boil 1-3mins and remove from heat.
Pour the jelly into clean, prepared jars and follow your favorite canning method.