Honey Deuce Cocktail

Rachel Perlmutter
Rachel PerlmutterCulinary Producer at The Kitchn
I went to college to study art history and journalism, and I spent a lot of my free time cooking and planning dinner parties. So after graduating I went to culinary school with the plan to combine my loves of communication and food. I dove into any experience I could find in my hometown of Houston, Texas –– teaching cooking classes, working in food nonprofits, developing recipes, and even farming. Eventually, I moved to New York to work as a recipe developer and food stylist, including at meal kit companies Marley Spoon and Dinnerly. In my free time, I continue my quest to perfect kolaches and breakfast tacos that taste like home. You’ll find me shopping at the farmers market, having elaborate picnics, or hosting dinner parties that start with crudité and end with a candy plate. Nothing makes me happier than helping create more enthusiastic home cooks — except perhaps a good salad. My favorite way to cook and eat is seasonally, locally, and sustainably. I want to give people the tools and access to do that, too!
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published Aug 29, 2024
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honey deuce cocktails on surface
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe: Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

You’ll be zero to love at first sip.

Serves1

Prep5 minutes

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Jump to Recipe
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honey deuce cocktails on surface
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe: Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

I’ve never been to the U.S. Open and I know almost nothing about tennis, but I can say confidently that the honey deuce cocktail is a home run. Like the mint julep of the Kentucky Derby, the honey deuce is the official drink of the U.S. Open — and it has been since 2006. Grey Goose commissioned bartender Nick Mautone to create a drink for the tournament that was easy enough to make for the large crowds, but still memorable and delicious.

The cocktail, which is delicious by the way, costs a whopping $23 at the U.S. Open — but that doesn’t stop people from ordering them. Last year they sold roughly 450,000 drinks (that’s nearly $10 million!). So what is it, exactly? The cocktail is an easy blend of tart lemonade, vodka, and raspberry liqueur 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.

Why You’ll Love It

  • It’s all about the balanced sweetness. The tart lemonade balances out the sweetness of the sweet raspberry for the perfect summer cocktail.
  • It’s so easy, yet so satisfying. With just four ingredients (including store-bought lemonade), you can make a very pretty, light, and refreshing cocktail in 5 minutes or less.
Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe: Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Key Ingredients in a Honey Deuce

  • Lemonade. Use homemade lemonade or make things easier and grab a bottle of your favorite store-bought variety.
  • Vodka. The official U.S. Open cocktail uses Grey Goose, but you can use whatever vodka you have at home.
  • Raspberry liqueur. The pink, syrupy liqueur adds sweetness and the signature blushy hue.
  • Honeydew. Use a melon baller to make little “tennis balls” for garnish.

How to Scale Up for a Crowd

This recipe makes one cocktail, but it’s also easily batchable for a crowd. To make enough to serve eight, combine the following and stir with ice or refrigerate until chilled (you can make it a day in advance!):

  • 3 cups lemonade
  • 1 1/2 cups vodka
  • 1/2 cup raspberry liqueur

When it’s time to serve, pour the cocktail over ice and garnish with the signature melon balls (from about half of a honeydew). 

Credit: Photo: Alex Lepe: Food Styling: Rachel Perlmutter

Helpful Swaps 

  • If you don’t have a melon baller, a rounded teaspoon scoop can work in a pinch! Or, simply garnish with a thin slice of melon in the cocktail.
  • Swap lemonade for limeade.
  • Add a squeeze of fresh lemon juice to balance the sweetness of the cocktail.
  • Add the vodka and chambord to an ice-filled cocktail glass, then pour the lemonade over for a gradient effect.
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Honey Deuce Cocktail Recipe

You’ll be zero to love at first sip.

Prep time 5 minutes

Serves 1

Nutritional Info

Ingredients

  • 1 wedge

    honeydew melon (at least 2 inches wide)

  • 3 ounces

    store-bought or homemade lemonade

  • 1 1/2 ounces

    vodka, preferably Grey Goose

  • 1/2 ounce

    raspberry liqueur, preferably Chambord

  • Ice

Instructions

  1. Place an old-fashioned or highball glass in the refrigerator or freezer for at least 5 minutes. Meanwhile, using a melon baller, scoop 2 to 3 balls from 1 honeydew melon wedge. Spear the melon balls onto a cocktail pick.

  2. Place 3 ounces lemonade, 1 1/2 ounces vodka, and 1/2 ounce raspberry liqueur in a mixing glass or cocktail shaker. Add enough ice to fill the glass halfway and stir until very chilled, about 30 seconds.

  3. Fill the chilled glass with ice. Pour the cocktail through a strainer into the glass. Garnish with the speared melon balls.

  4. Fill the chilled glass with ice. Pour the cocktail through a strainer into the glass. Garnish with speared melon balls.

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Beverages
Cocktails