
I remember growing up, this was one of my favorite flavors of soda, plus orange was my favorite color. I added orange juice to my orange soda jelly recipe to give it a tiny bit of healthfulness and add to the orange flavor.
I am making several kinds soda pop jelly for Christmas gifts this year, my kids are joining in on the fun and learning a bit more about making jelly.
Ingredients for Orange Soda Jelly
4 cups of orange soda
Juice of 2 fresh oranges, pulp strained (Valencia oranges have great flavor.)
1 package (1.75 ounces) fruit pectin or 8 tablespoons of bulk pectin
5 cups of pure cane sugar
Tools needed to make Orange Soda Jelly
Ladle
Magnetic lid lifter
Clean, damp cloth
Kitchen tongs
Cooling rack or dry towel
Affiliate Disclosure! MamasHomestead.com contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase through an affiliate link, I will make a commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for supporting us and keeping our website going.
I took it outside to take pictures and immediately attracted a few yellow jackets. He/she couldn’t seem to get the lid open.
Instructions for Orange Soda Jelly
Prepare your jars and lids for canning and keep your jars hot until ready to use. If you are new to canning read Getting Ready to Can.
Pour orange soda and orange juice into a medium sauce pan. Add pectin, stir until dissolved. Bring to a boil that does not stop when stirred.
Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Bring mixture to a full boil and allow to cook until a temperature of 220 degrees F (on a candy thermometer), stirring constantly.
Turn off heat. Skim off foam, if necessary (If you like, you can microwave the foam for 30 seconds to return it to a jelly like substance.). Orange soda might fizz a little when trying to make it into jelly. I left the foam, it adds to the authenticity. Refrigerate your soda jelly and enjoy or can it to enjoy the rest of the year.
Tip: No candy thermometer? Test for gelling by dipping a metal tablespoon in a glass of ice water, then scoop up half spoonful of the mix and let it cool to room temperature on the spoon. If it thickens and clings to the spoon, the jelly is ready. If not, allow to boil a little longer and test again, until desired consistency is achieved.
Canning Orange Soda Jelly
Ladle hot orange soda jelly into prepared jars, allowing ¼ inch head space. Wipe rim and threads of jars with a clean, damp cloth.
Place your lids onto your jars, making sure the rubber seal meets the jar rim. Screw on the metal band firmly (fingertip tight). Note: Screwing them on too tight may cause them to not seal or to buckle.
Use a jar lifter to place your jelly in a boiling water bath. Place the lid on the canner. Bring water to a boil. Process your orange soda jelly in the boiling water bath for 10 minutes (1,000 feet above sea level). Note: Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches; add boiling water, if necessary.
After processing, turn off heat and remove canner lid. Allow canner to cool 5 minutes. Remove jars from canner; place upright, 1 to 2 inches apart on wire cooling rack or dry towel. Allow to cool 12 to 24 hours. Note: Do NOT try to tighten bands that have loosened during processing.
After 12 to 24 hours has passed, test seals by pressing the center of the lid to determine if it is concave; then remove the band and gently try lifting the lid off with your fingertips. If the center does not flex up and down and you cannot lift the lid with your fingertips, the lid has a good seal.
If the lid does not have a good seal, refrigerate your orange soda jelly and use right away or reprocess using a new lid. Also, be sure to check the rim of your jar for nicks.
Thank you for visiting Mama’s Homestead!
~Nelle


- 4 cups of orange soda
- Juice of 2 fresh oranges, pulp strained (Valencia oranges have great flavor.)
- 1 package (1.75 ounces) fruit pectin or 8 tablespoons of bulk pectin
- 5 cups of pure cane sugar
- Prepare your jars and lids for canning and keep your jars hot until ready to use. If you are new to canning read Getting Ready to Can.
- Pour orange soda and orange juice into a medium sauce pan. Add pectin, stir until dissolved. Bring to a boil that does not stop when stirred.
- Add sugar and stir until dissolved. Bring mixture to a full boil and allow to cook until a temperature of 220 degrees F (on a candy thermometer), stirring constantly.
- Turn off heat. Skim off foam, if necessary (If you like, you can microwave the foam for 30 seconds to return it to a jelly like substance.). Orange soda might fizz a little when trying to make it into jelly. I left the foam, it adds to the authenticity. Refrigerate your soda jelly and enjoy or can it to enjoy the rest of the year.
- Tip: No candy thermometer? Test for gelling by dipping a metal tablespoon in a glass of ice water, then scoop up half spoonful of the mix and let it cool to room temperature on the spoon. If it thickens and clings to the spoon, the jelly is ready. If not, allow to boil a little longer and test again, until desired consistency is achieved.
- Canning Orange Soda Jelly
- Ladle hot orange soda jelly into prepared jars, allowing ¼ inch head space. Wipe rim and threads of jars with a clean, damp cloth.
- Place your lids onto your jars, making sure the rubber seal meets the jar rim. Screw on the metal band firmly (fingertip tight). Note: Screwing them on too tight may cause them to not seal or to buckle.
- Use a jar lifter to place your jelly in a boiling water bath. Place the lid on the canner. Bring water to a boil. Process your orange soda jelly in the boiling water bath for 10 minutes (1,000 feet above sea level). Note: Water must cover jars by 1 to 2 inches; add boiling water, if necessary.
- After processing, turn off heat and remove canner lid. Allow canner to cool 5 minutes. Remove jars from canner; place upright, 1 to 2 inches apart on wire cooling rack or dry towel. Allow to cool 12 to 24 hours. Note: Do NOT try to tighten bands that have loosened during processing.
- After 12 to 24 hours has passed, test seals by pressing the center of the lid to determine if it is concave; then remove the band and gently try lifting the lid off with your fingertips. If the center does not flex up and down and you cannot lift the lid with your fingertips, the lid has a good seal.
- If the lid does not have a good seal, refrigerate your orange soda jelly and use right away or reprocess using a new lid. Also, be sure to check the rim of your jar for nicks.
Super cool idea and great teacher gift!
Yes, great idea! I am making a “6-Pack” of different flavors of soda jelly to give for a gift exchange this year, along with homemade soda pop bread and homemade butter.
I love your series of blogs on soda jelly. We can’t wait to try the orange soda. I recently wrote a blog about Homestead Jams and included your blog. Thanks again! http://bit.ly/1JOHbb3
Ahhh…thanks for including me. Love your site. ~Nelle from Mama’s Homestead
This is such a cute /cool idea !!! Just Curious…. could u use Pomona pectin!!!