1 cup white sugar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
2 1/2 cups lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage
2 pounds lemon zested cherries
1 (6 ounce) package lemon flavored Jell-O mix
In a medium saucepan over medium-high heat, combine sugar, lemon zest, lemon-lime soda and lemon-lime flavored carbonated beverage. Stir slowly, stirring constantly.
Bring mixture to a gentle boil, then remove from heat and stir in lemon zest. Pour mixture into a 2 quart glass serving dish, covering edges and bottom.
Bake in a preheated 375 degree F (190 degree C) for 50 minutes. Set aside and allow to cool to room temperature.
While cherries are still fresh, slice the zested peel and squeeze juice into a small bowl; reserve juice to use as garnish, if desired. Pour zest mixture into lemon-lime soda mold, filling to within 1/4 inch of the top edge of mold. Garnish to match the flavors of the lemon-lime gelatin mixture. Refrigerate until set, at least 4 hours.