How to Make Lemon Drop Jelly at Home: A Sweet and Tangy Treat

If you're a fan of sweet, tart flavors and the nostalgic taste of lemon drop candies, then you're going to love this homemade Lemon Drop Jelly recipe. Inspired by viewer Kathleen’s request, Jamie from Useful Knowledge has created a simple and delicious jelly that perfectly captures the essence of a lemon drop—bright, tangy, and smooth. Whether you're spreading it on a biscuit or giving it as a gift, this jelly is bound to become a household favorite.

In this step-by-step guide, we’ll show you how to make Lemon Drop Jelly using just four ingredients: fresh lemon juice, water, sugar, and Sure-Jell pectin. Plus, we'll walk you through the old-fashioned canning process to safely preserve your jelly for months to come.

?? Ingredients You'll Need
To make approximately 6 to 7 jars of Lemon Drop Jelly, gather the following ingredients:

2 cups of fresh lemon juice (about 8–9 lemons)

2 cups of water

4½ cups of sugar (raw cane sugar or white refined sugar)

1 box of original Sure-Jell pectin (not the low-sugar version)

?? Tip: Always have an extra lemon on hand just in case you need a bit more juice.

?? Prep Work Before You Begin
Sterilize your jars: Place 8 eight-ounce Mason jelly jars in your oven and set it to 250°F to sterilize.

Heat the lids: Place 7 regular-sized Mason jar lids in a small saucepan with water and keep it on low heat to soften the seals.

Juice the lemons: Use a citrus juicer or hand press to extract juice. Strain out any pulp or seeds using a fine mesh strainer or cheesecloth.

????? Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Combine and Boil the Mixture
In a large pot:

Add 2 cups of lemon juice, 2 cups of water, and 1 box of Sure-Jell.

Stir well and bring the mixture to a full rolling boil—a boil that doesn’t stop when stirred.

Once boiling, let it continue for 1 minute.

2. Add Sugar
Stir in 4½ cups of sugar.

Continue stirring and bring the mixture back to a full rolling boil.

Boil for another 1 minute, stirring constantly.

?? Watch the pot closely—sugar mixtures can boil over quickly!

?? Filling and Sealing the Jars
Remove your sterilized jars from the oven.

Fill each jar up to the bottom of the canning funnel with the hot jelly.

Wipe the rims with a damp paper towel to ensure a clean seal.

Dry and place the lids on each jar, then screw on the bands until fingertip tight.

Flip jars upside down for 5 minutes to help the seal form.

Flip them right side up and let them sit undisturbed overnight.

? By morning, you should hear the classic ping! of a perfect seal.

?? Enjoying Your Lemon Drop Jelly
After cooling overnight, the jelly will have set beautifully. The result? A smooth, golden-yellow jelly that tastes exactly like a lemon drop candy—bright, citrusy, and just the right amount of tart.

Spread it on warm biscuits, drizzle it on yogurt, or pair it with cream cheese and crackers for a zesty appetizer.

?? Final Thoughts
Homemade Lemon Drop Jelly is surprisingly simple to make and is a fantastic way to preserve the vibrant flavor of fresh lemons. With just four ingredients and a little time, you can enjoy this classic candy flavor in a spreadable form all year round.

Try it once, and you’ll be hooked!