Mountain Dew Recipe

Make quick citrus-sweet concentrate

In a small bowl or measuring cup, combine the fresh lime juice (1 tbsp), fresh lemon juice (1 tbsp), and light corn syrup or pre-made simple syrup (1.5 tbsp). If you don't have syrup, dissolve 1 tablespoon granulated sugar in 1 tablespoon hot water, stirring until fully dissolved, and use that instead. Add the citric acid (1 tsp) if using to boost tartness and the lemon-lime or orange extract (1/4 tsp) if using for additional flavor notes. Stir until uniform.

Add caffeine (optional)

If you want the drink to mimic the caffeinated profile, carefully add 50 mg food-grade caffeine to the concentrate. Stir thoroughly until dissolved. Do not exceed recommended amounts; measure caffeine precisely with a scale. Skip this step if you prefer non-caffeinated soda.

Combine with carbonated water

Fill a 12 fl oz glass with ice (about 1 cup). Pour the 12 fl oz of cold carbonated water into the glass slowly to preserve fizz. Add the prepared citrus-sweet concentrate to the carbonated water and stir gently with a long spoon 6–8 times to mix without flattening the soda.

Adjust color and taste

Add 1 drop of yellow food coloring (or a tiny drop of green + yellow) and stir gently to reach the characteristic Mountain Dew hue. Taste and adjust: add up to 1 tsp more simple syrup for sweetness, up to 1/2 tsp more citric acid for tang, or an extra 1/4 tsp extract for brightness. Stir gently after each adjustment.

Serve

Serve immediately while fizzy. Optionally garnish with a thin lime wheel or wedge on the rim.