The Honey Deuce is the signature cocktail of the US Open. It combines Grey Goose vodka, fresh lemonade and raspberry liqueur, then adds three frozen honeydew melon balls that resemble tennis balls.
Restaurateur and mixologist Nick Mautone created the drink in 2006, and its official US Open run began with the Grey Goose partnership in 2007. Its simple recipe, visual garnish and commemorative cup have since made it one of the tournament’s most recognizable traditions.
What Is a Honey Deuce?
A Honey Deuce is a raspberry vodka lemonade served over cubed ice. The official recipe uses Grey Goose vodka, fresh lemonade, raspberry liqueur and a garnish of frozen honeydew melon balls.
The drink is fruity, tart and lightly sweet. Because the melon is used as a garnish rather than blended into the cocktail, the main flavor is raspberry lemonade rather than honeydew.
At the tournament, it is served at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in a commemorative cup. It has become part of the atmosphere surrounding the matches, night sessions and other experiences covered in this complete guide to the US Open.
Prices and concession locations can change between tournaments, but the recognizable recipe and tennis-ball garnish have remained central to the drink.
Who Created the Honey Deuce?
The Honey Deuce was created by restaurateur and mixologist Nick Mautone. Grey Goose asked him to develop a distinctive cocktail that would represent the US Open while remaining simple enough to prepare quickly for large crowds.
Mautone developed the drink in 2006. The official partnership between Grey Goose and the US Open began in 2007, which is why some accounts use 2006 as the creation year while others refer to its 2007 tournament debut.
The inspiration came from honeydew melon balls Mautone was preparing after stopping for produce. Their round shape and pale green color reminded him of tennis balls, giving the proposed tournament drink an immediate visual connection to the sport.
The final recipe also met the practical demands of a major sporting event. Vodka, lemonade and raspberry liqueur could be combined efficiently without complicated preparation, while the garnish made the finished drink memorable.
Why Is It Called a Honey Deuce?
The name is a play on “honeydew” and “deuce.” In standard tennis scoring, deuce occurs when both players reach 40–40. From there, a player generally needs to win two consecutive points to win the game.
The full sequence is explained in this guide to how the scoring system works in tennis.
By replacing the end of “honeydew” with the tennis term “deuce,” the name connects the melon garnish directly to the sport. Despite the word “honey,” the official recipe does not contain honey, honey syrup or honey-flavored vodka.
What Ingredients Does It Contain?
The current official US recipe uses the following proportions for one serving:
| Ingredient | Amount | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Grey Goose vodka | 1.25oz | Provides the alcoholic base |
| Fresh lemonade | 3oz | Adds citrus, sweetness and volume |
| Premium raspberry liqueur, such as Chambord | 0.5oz | Adds raspberry flavor, sweetness and color |
| Frozen honeydew melon balls | 3 | Creates the tennis-ball garnish |
| Cubed ice | As needed | Chills and slightly dilutes the drink |
Fresh lemonade produces the brightest citrus flavor, but its sweetness can vary considerably. A very sweet bottled lemonade will create a sweeter cocktail than a tart homemade version.
Raspberry liqueur gives the drink its pink color and rounds out the acidity of the lemonade. Chambord is closely associated with the original drink, although the current official US recipe describes the ingredient more generally as a premium raspberry liqueur.
Why the Garnish Looks Like Tennis Balls
The resemblance is intentional. A melon baller produces small, round pieces of honeydew with approximately the right shape and green-yellow color to evoke tennis balls.
The official presentation uses three melon balls threaded onto a cocktail pick. They are normally frozen before serving, which helps them remain firm and gives the garnish a cold, clean appearance.
For the most convincing result, use a ripe but firm honeydew. An overripe melon can produce soft or uneven balls that are difficult to skewer, while an underripe melon may lack flavor.
The official explanation connects the garnish to tennis balls. There is no stated scoring meaning behind the number three, so the garnish should not be interpreted as representing three sets, three match points or another tennis rule.
How to Make a Honey Deuce at Home
The drink is built directly in the serving glass, so it does not require a cocktail shaker or advanced bartending equipment.
- Use a melon baller to scoop three round pieces from a honeydew melon.
- Place the melon balls in the freezer until firm. Preparing them several hours in advance makes assembly easier.
- Chill a highball glass and fill it with cubed ice.
- Pour 1.25oz of Grey Goose vodka over the ice.
- Add 3oz of fresh lemonade.
- Pour in 0.5oz of raspberry liqueur. Give the drink one gentle stir if you want the color and flavor distributed evenly.
- Thread the three frozen honeydew balls onto a cocktail pick and rest it across the glass.
The cocktail can be prepared shortly before a match begins. If you are organizing a watch party, check where to watch the US Open and review how the US Open order of play is made so you know when the matches you want to see are likely to start.
Avoid building the drinks over ice too far in advance because the ice will continue to melt and dilute them. The melon balls and measured liquid ingredients can instead be prepared separately and assembled when guests are ready.
The Honey Deuce contains alcohol and should be served only to adults of legal drinking age.
The Story Behind the Souvenir Cup
The souvenir cup has been part of the Honey Deuce presentation since its first official US Open season in 2007. It helped turn a concession drink into something spectators could keep after leaving the tournament.
The cup’s defining feature is its display of past US Open singles champions. This connects a modern cocktail with the players and achievements documented throughout US Open history and records.
Spectators who buy the on-site cocktail can take the commemorative cup home, although availability is subject to supplies. The precise artwork, price and presentation may also change between editions of the tournament.
The cup adds a collectible element that cannot be recreated fully when making the cocktail at home. Combined with the tennis-ball garnish and clever name, it explains how a relatively recent branded drink became an established part of the US Open experience.