Mt. Dew Recipe

Combine sugar and water

In a small saucepan, add 0.25 cup granulated sugar and 0.25 cup water (use part of the 2 cups carbonated water reserve for dilution later if you prefer). Heat over low-medium heat, stirring constantly until sugar fully dissolves and the liquid is clear. Do not boil for more than a minute. Remove from heat and let cool to room temperature.

Once cooled, stir in 1 tablespoon fresh lime juice, 1 teaspoon lemon juice, and 1/8 teaspoon citric acid until fully incorporated. This creates a tart lime syrup that will mimic the citrus backbone of Mt. Dew.

Place a tall mixing glass or pitcher in the refrigerator briefly so it's chilled (optional). Add 1 cup ice (if serving immediately) into a serving glass.

Pour 2 cups chilled carbonated water into a measuring pitcher. Stir the prepared lime syrup into the carbonated water gently to avoid losing too much fizz. If you used 0.25 cup water to make syrup, use the remaining 1.75–2 cups carbonated water so total volume is near 2 cups; the recipe proportions assume 2 cups final carbonated base.

Add 0.125 teaspoon orange extract and 1 teaspoon pale grapefruit juice to the carbonated mixture and stir gently to distribute flavor.

Add 3 drops green food coloring and 1 drop yellow food coloring, then stir once or twice until the color is even. Adjust color by adding additional single drops until you reach a bright neon green typical of 'Mt. Dew' appearance. Be conservative; a little goes a long way.

If you are using a commercial lemon-lime soda concentrate or flavored syrup instead of building flavors, reduce or omit the sugar/lime syrup: mix 2 cups carbonated water with 2–3 tablespoons concentrate (follow manufacturer suggestion), then add the grapefruit and orange extracts and color as above.

If you want a slightly longer shelf life for a small bottle, dissolve a pinch (~0.01 tsp) of food-grade sodium benzoate into the finished, chilled mixture and mix thoroughly. This is optional and unnecessary for immediate consumption.

Taste and adjust: if you want sweeter, dissolve up to 1 more tablespoon sugar into a tablespoon of warm water and stir into the chilled soda. If you want more tartness, add an extra 1/4 teaspoon lemon or 1/2 teaspoon lime juice, then stir gently.

Pour the finished Mt. Dew-style soda into the prepared glass with ice. Garnish with a lime wedge on the rim. Serve immediately for the best fizz.