Homemade Fruit Juice Gumdrops

Soft, Chewy, and Bursting with Fruit Flavor

2 cups Fruit Juice: Use grape, orange, or apple juice for natural color and flavor.
2 tbsp Unflavored Gelatin: This provides the classic chewy gumdrop texture.
1/4 cup Granulated Sugar: For the internal gumdrop mixture.
1 tbsp Lemon Juice: Adds a necessary brightness and tang.
1/4 tsp Salt: To balance the sweetness.
Optional: A few drops of food coloring if you want extra vibrant colors.
3 cups Granulated Sugar: Kept in a separate bowl for the final coating.

Bloom the Gelatin: Pour 1/2 cup of your fruit juice into a small bowl and sprinkle the unflavored gelatin over the top. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until it looks thick and “bloomed.”
Heat the Base: In a medium saucepan, combine the remaining 1 1/2 cups of fruit juice, the 1/4 cup of sugar, lemon juice, and salt. Bring the mixture to a gentle simmer over medium heat, stirring until the sugar is completely dissolved.
Combine: Once simmering, add the bloomed gelatin mixture to the saucepan. Whisk constantly for 2–3 minutes until the gelatin has fully melted and the liquid is clear and smooth. Stir in food coloring now if using.
The Set: Lightly grease a square baking dish or silicone candy molds with a tiny bit of neutral oil. Pour the mixture in. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours, or ideally overnight, until very firm.
Cut: Once set, pull the block of gelatin out onto a cutting board dusted with a little sugar. Use a sharp knife (dipped in hot water) to cut the block into small, even cubes.
The Signature Coating: Toss each cube in the bowl of granulated sugar until every side is heavily coated.
Final Dry: Place the coated gumdrops on a wire rack at room temperature for 24 hours. This allows them to develop that slightly firm “crust” on the outside while staying soft in the middle.

Natural Base: Using fruit juice instead of just water and corn syrup adds vitamins and a more complex flavor profile.
Perfect for Gifting: These look beautiful in a glass jar and make a thoughtful homemade gift.
Customizable: You can experiment with different juices—cranberry or pomegranate juice makes for beautiful deep red gumdrops!