Honey Deuce Cocktail
The crowd at the US Open loves aces, smashes, and rallies but my favorite thing from the Open is the Honey Deuce Cocktail – The US Open’s Signature drink.
I’ve never been to the U.S. Open, I piddled in tennis before kids but it’s been awhile, but that does not keep me from watching it on our TV, and loving this signature cocktails; in tennis parlance, it’s an ace. Like the mint julep of the Kentucky Derby, the Honey Deuce Cocktail is the official drink of the U.S. Open — and it has been since 2006.
The cocktail is credited to New York mixologist Nick Mautone in 2007, though now firmly associated with the Grey Goose family with stations all over the event. Story has it that the first year it was made with Belvedere; not so catchy a name as the Grey Goose Honey Deuce Cocktail for sure! The original recipe remains unchanged though and includes vodka, fresh lemonade and Chambord Raspberry Liqueur.
Grey Goose commissioned bartender Mautone to create a drink for the tournament that was easy enough to make for the large crowds, but still memorable and delicious; I’ve included portions for a crowd in the Notes following the recipe.
The cocktail is easy and delicious and last year cost a whopping $23 at the U.S. Open and last year where they sold roughly 450,000 drinks (that’s nearly $10 million!). Glad I make mine at home; maybe time to start charging my friends. 🙂
It’s a simple to make cocktail; a refreshing blend of tart lemonade, vodka, and raspberry liqueur that’s poured over ice. The signature garnish, three balls of honeydew, resembles cute little tennis balls. Whether you’re watching the tournament or just watching Challengers on the couch with your friends, this seriously refreshing cocktail is as easy as it is delicious.
Light, refreshing and typically garnished with carved balls of honeydew melon; I’ve taken a bit different path but one I think many of you would love as much as I did. I may be taking on a giant leap of faith with purists but after squirreling away a bottle of Grand Marnier’s Signature line of liqueurs, a fantastic Raspberry Peach potion, I just knew I had to try it in the Honey Deuce in lieu of using a bottle of Chambord raspberry liqueur.
The Grand Marnier Raspberry and Peach business. Delicious…and I wish I could tell you to look for it but it’s no longer being made; very sad. I have had this bottle for awhile! In lieu of that simply source a high quality raspberry liqueur (I typically use Chambord).
To make this easy if I’m expecting a crowd, I DO NOT hand squeeze anything, but I do use the frozen variety of lemonade concentrate that’s mixed with water; I think it’s much better than anything I’ve had that’s bottled.
I also used a favorite local vodka that is infused with honey; not because I had no Grey Goose in the house but because it seemed meant to be…it has honey! To complete my switching it up I’ve got a raspberry garnish that quite frankly makes for a much prettier cocktail than honeydew, which I didn’t have on hand.
Those greenish orbs from the original are supposed to look like tennis balls but I personally find this way prettier AND tasty too; what I always strive for; especially since I make this cocktail all summer long without the tennis connection.
I’ll be perfectly honest though…if I were hosting a get together to watch the US Open, I would probably procure the honeydew melon; it is a cute reminder that this is about tennis! Watch this video to get a glimpse…and watch carefully…it is FAST!
I realize the US Open isn’t until August 25th this year; but we love this cocktail all summer long. I thought it best to provide the recipe now…you have time to practice!
PIN IT! ‘Honey Deuce Cocktail’
Honey Deuce Cocktail
Ingredients
- 1 ¼ ounces vodka
- ¼ teaspoon honey
- 4 ounces lemonade
- ½ ounce raspberry liqueur
Garnish
- 3 scoops melon balls
Instructions
- Chill a highball glass. Fill the glass with crushed ice.
- Mix the vodka and honey and put into the glass.
- Thread a straw with melon balls (or raspberries!) and place in glass.
- Top with lemonade to just below the rim and then add the liqueur. Stir gently.
Notes
- 3 cups lemonade
- 1 1/2 cups vodka
- 1/2 cup raspberry liqueur
- 24 melon balls
I will try this recipe. I got a free sample of this new signature collection when I bought Grand Marnier , and I did not think it would be great in a margarita. So I was searching for recipes and found this pretty drink. I’m not a raspberry fan though.
I don’t play tennis. And I didn’t know that US open had an official drink. But what I do know is that this will be made soon. Of course I will direct the hubby to do it!
It’s a great cocktail for the spectator sport of watching tennis! Have one before summer is over; it’s terrific.
Barb, I credit you for turning me on to this honey vodka you used in this Raspberry Peach Honey Deuce. I fell in love with it after using it to make the Denver Donkey (my fave!). I’m frantically searching my local liquor stores in Chicago for this Grand Marnier before it’s gone! I cannot wait to make this drink once I get my hands on a bottle!
Isn’t that a great vodka…such a subtle but delicious honey flavor. The Grand Marnier is available supposedly in September Liz…I don’t know if that means tomorrow but it should just be coming into stores; it is amazing!
I love this drink! I have a feeling these may be in my future a lot with one of my kids taking tennis lessons and the other begging for them as well. And that peach raspberry grand marnier? I must have
It is a must have…we just LOVE it!
Pretty in pink, that’s for sure. GREG
Hmm, sounds like a movie! Wait til next Friday; there will be a cocktail from a book I got from this guy I know and it has Aperol in it. Hmm, wonder what book that would be hmm?
Yes, please! That looks positively delightful. Cheers!
Thanks Adri…it was. And will be again today! 🙂
Those US Open Fans are a thirsty crowd all right. I’m sure they would all enjoy your version of the traditional cocktail. This latest flavour of Grand Marnier sounds so good. For some reason now I’m looking forward to September 🙂
Well, it’s hard work ‘watching’ tennis Paula! I haven’t played in years; probably never will either with my bad knee so the least I can do is drink the favored drink, right?
Grand Marnier in Peach and Raspberry flavor? WOW! Your Friday cocktails are the best!
Thanks Claire, so glad you enjoy them and YES…it’s fabulous too!
I’ve never had a Honey Deuce – sounds like a fun drink. I know someone who’s a tennis nut, so I know who’ll I’ll be making this for! The Grand Mariner Signature stuff sounds excellent. 😉
That would be perfect; I’m watching a couple of matches with friends and I know this will be made so we can pretend we are right there!
I didn’t know the U.S. Open had an official drink- I’ve been missing out! Your version is very pretty with the raspberries. I guess the honeydew might look like tennis balls but that’s a stretch! I’ll stick with your creation.
I wondered if that’s what they were going for with the honeydew but truth is and I’ve admitted it before; my inspiration often comes from my fridge. I had raspberries and I love them and well, the liquor has them so I did it. I didn’t feel like going shopping for one melon that I needed four spherical shapes for. 🙂
This is totally new to me! I think I could use one right now. 🙂
This one sounds delicious too, Barbara… I’ve not heard of the Raspberry and Peach Grand Marnier.
It’s just coming out in September Lizzy so you’re not alone! They’re doing these annual special flavors and this is the one for this year. Very good cocktail; the kind I love…light and cold and refreshing.