September 4, 2025
How a Vodka Cocktail Became the US Open’s Signature Tradition
The US Open is about blistering rallies, late-night thrillers, and the unmistakable energy of New York in September. But ask any fan what else defines the tournament, and chances are you’ll hear the same answer: the Honey Deuce.
This Grey Goose, backed cocktail has become a star in its own right. Since its debut in 2006, it’s sold in the millions, rivaling Wimbledon’s strawberries and cream or the Mint Julep at the Kentucky Derby as a must-have sports tradition. According to Grey Goose, more than a million Honey Deuces were served at the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center over the past four years, requiring over 37,000 bottles of vodka. In 2024 alone, sales topped expectations, and 2025 is already shaping up to break new records.
Honey Deuce US Open History
It all started when Grey Goose asked restaurateur Nick Mautone, then a partner at New York’s Gramercy Tavern, to create a signature cocktail for the Open. His challenge? Come up with a drink that could be prepped quickly for massive crowds, taste refreshing in New York’s late-summer heat, and still feel special.
The inspiration came from something simple: a trip to a farmers market. When Mautone saw honeydew melons, he realized scooping them into tiny spheres would mimic the look of tennis balls. Add Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, and Chambord raspberry liqueur, and the Honey Deuce was born. By its first year, it smashed sales records. By its second, fans were already calling it the US Open drink.
As Vogue recently pointed out in their feature on the cocktail’s 15th anniversary, its meteoric rise is unique, unlike Pimm’s Cups or Mint Juleps, which have centuries of tradition, the Honey Deuce has become iconic in less than two decades.
Credit: Rey Lopez and Nicola Justine Davis | The Washington Post
The Honey Deuce Recipe
Want to recreate the US Open’s signature sip at home? Here’s the official recipe:
1 1/4 oz Grey Goose vodka
3 oz fresh lemonade
1/2 oz Chambord (raspberry liqueur)
Crushed ice
3 honeydew melon balls (skewered, to look like tennis balls)
Fill a highball glass with crushed ice. Add vodka, lemonade, and Chambord. Stir gently. Garnish with melon balls.
The Secret Behind the Melons
Here’s a detail few fans know: those honeydew melon balls aren’t mass-produced by machines. They’re hand-scooped at the Baldor facility in the Bronx, sourced from “King of the West” honeydew melons grown in California.
Each melon is carefully balled to mimic tennis balls before being shipped to Flushing Meadows. The process has become so integral to the cocktail’s charm that Grey Goose even shared the story on Instagram; you can watch the reel here.
Credit: Belly Full
Bringing the Spirit Home
At Tennis Homes, we see the Honey Deuce as more than a cocktail. It’s a symbol of how tennis blends sport, culture, and lifestyle. Just as the US Open serves up world-class tennis alongside signature drinks, many of our featured properties combine exceptional living with spaces for entertaining.
Imagine having a home bar designed for hosting, where you can serve Honey Deuces during your own match watch party, or after a game on your private court. Some of our favorite tennis homes even feature custom bar lounges, wine cellars, and outdoor kitchens that make gatherings feel like your very own Grand Slam.
One Last Sip
The Honey Deuce has shown how a simple idea can become a tradition, just like tennis itself. As the US Open heads toward its final matches, we’ll be raising a glass to the game, the culture, and the lifestyle it inspires.
Until the next match,
Tennis Homes Team
