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Welcome to 5 O’Clock Somewhere, a new series in which our network of culinary all-stars share their favorite drinks—along with everything you need to serve them in style.
The Honey Deuce is a marvel of modern marketing. Nineteen years ago, restauranteur and Grey Goose brand ambassador Nick Mautone (his resume includes time as the former managing partner of Gramercy Tavern and hospitality director at the Rainbow Room, among other bona fides) was tasked with dreaming up a signature cocktail for the US Open. For decades mint juleps have been must-haves for viewing the Kentucky Derby and anyone who’s anybody sips a Pimm’s cup at Wimbledon—and Grey Goose, it’s safe to assume, wanted to cement itself as a permanent part of the US Open experience.
As the story goes, inspiration struck Mautone when he was creating a fruity dessert for a dinner party he was hosting at his home in Hampton Bays (as one does). “I was at the kitchen counter making these honeydew melon balls and I just said to my wife, ‘Oh my God, these look like tennis balls,'” Mautone says. He borrowed the flavor profile from his dessert—berries, citrus, melon, and a hint of rosemary—added the required Grey Goose vodka, and, Voilà! The Honey Deuce.
Is it on the nose to serve a cocktail that literally looks like sporting equipment at a Grand Slam tournament? Absolutely. But lucky for Grey Goose and for tennis fans, the Honey Deuce is also delightful on the palate. What better to sip on a late summer afternoon or evening than, essentially, a spiked raspberry lemonade?
Millions agree, making the Honey Deuce a hit: According to Grey Goose, nearly 3 million have been sold since the drink’s debut in 2007, but the Deuce really hit its stride in 2024, with over 550,000 enjoyed during last year’s tournament alone.
But you don’t need to hoof it out to Queens to enjoy the drink. Below, Mautone shares the Honey Deuce’s official recipe, some ideas for snazzing it up, and all the gear you need to make and serve it at your US Open watch party.
The Honey Deuce
Ingredients:
- 1¼ oz Grey Goose vodka
- 3 oz fresh lemonade
- ½ oz raspberry liquor
- 3 honeydew melon balls (frozen) for garnish
Preparation:
- Fill a highball glass with cubed ice
- Add vodka, then top with lemonade and raspberry liqueur
- Garnish with your melon balls on a skewer
The gear you need
Courtesy Grey Goose
Vodka and raspberry liqueur
One of the original stipulations for the cocktail was that it needed to feature Grey Goose’s flagship vodka, not any flavored varieties. You of course can sub in your vodka of choice, but why mess with an icon?
Highball glass
According to Mautone, “The simplest, easiest glass to use is a highball glass.” You can go chic with classic crystal, or choose kitsch with something more playful. “A couple of years ago I was hosting a US Open party and bought about 30 of the signature Honey Deuce glasses on eBay,” he says.
