US Open Honey Deuce.Photo:Brad Barket/Getty
Brad Barket/Getty
A sweet serve off the court!
In the near two decades following its creation in 2006, the famed Honey Deuce cocktail has become one of the highlights of the US Open tennis championship — drawing guests to the tournament to taste the treat, whether they’re fans of tennis or not.
“Every time the U.S. Open comes around, I just keep hearing about the drink,” Honey Deuce creator and hospitality expert Nick Mautone toldVogue. “It’s a beverage that’s become almost as iconic as the US Open itself!”
In 2022 alone, the US Open sold more than 400,000 Honey Deuce signature cocktails and nearly 2 million Honey Deuce cocktails since it first debuted at the tournament in 2007, a United States Tennis Association spokesperson tells PEOPLE.
In addition to its refreshing nature, the drink’s fun appearance has been a draw for guests — not only to purchase and sip the cocktail, but snap and share a photo of it on social media.
“I’m going to freely admit the mini honeydew melons that look like tennis balls capture the eye and therefore, the imagination," Mautone said of the drink. “It’s visually a fun thing to drink at a tennis match.”
Read on for everything to know about the US Open signature drink, the Honey Deuce — including how to make it yourself!
How did the Honey Deuce cocktail get its name?
US Open Honey Deuce.Monica Schipper/Getty
Monica Schipper/Getty
Whether you’re a fan of tennis or not, you should know that the name of the US Open’s signature drink is a tennis-themed play on the spherical fruit that makes it so photogenic, the honeydew melon. The “honey” is self-explanatory, then, while the “deuce” refers to a 40-40 tie score in tennis.
Who created the Honey Deuce cocktail?
Paul Zimmerman/Getty
Combining a sweet, fruity taste to counteract the NYC heat in September with a fun tennis ball-like garnish out of scoops of melon, the drink was an immediate hit when it was introduce the following year.
What ingredients are in the Honey Deuce cocktail?
Grey Goose’s signature tournament cocktail is a vodka-spiked lemonade mixed with raspberry liqueur, topped with three honeydew melon “tennis ball” skewers and served over ice in a commemorative US Open cup.
In addition to the classic, variations have been created. For something even cooler, opt for a Frozen Honey Deuce — a blended, slushy version of the cocktail. For those who can’t attend the tournament in person, New Yorkers can also order home delivery of ready-to-drink canned Honey Deuces!
Or, put your mixologist skills to the test and whip up a Honey Deuce yourself in the comfort of your own home using the official recipeshared with PEOPLE.
Ingredients for one serving calls for crushed ice, 1 ¼ oz. vodka, lemonade (preferably freshly squeezed), ½ oz. raspberry liqueur (such as Chambord) and skewered honeydew melon balls. Fill a chilled highball glass with crushed ice and add vodka, top with lemonade to just below the rim, then add raspberry liqueur, garnish with melon balls and enjoy!
What does the Honey Deuce cocktail taste like?
When speaking withVogue, Mautone described the taste of Honey Deuce cocktail as “tart and fruity” and called it “balanced' thanks to the sweetness from the raspberry liqueur and the tartness from the lemonade,” Plus, he adds “it goes extremely well with whatever food you’re having on a hot day.”
Which celebrities are fans of the Honey Deuce cocktail?
The US Open draws tennis lovers of all kind to the tournament, including some of Hollywood’s biggest names — many of whom have been snapped toasting with a Honey Deuce of their own.
source: people.com
