I tried the iconic honey deuce cocktail at the US Open, and I get why it's the crowd's favorite drink
- I went to the US Open and tried the iconic honey deuce, which is made with vodka, lemonade, and Chambord.
- It's the official cocktail of the US Open, and I always see it on social media this time of year.
When you look at photos of the US Open online or on social media, there's typically one common thread that shows up: the branded cup with pink-ish liquid and three mini tennis ball-looking spheres skewered on top.
That drink is the event's signature cocktail, and it's called the honey deuce.
The name is a play on the term "deuce" (used when a game score is tied at 40-40) and honeydew melon, which is used as a garnish. In addition to the yellow-green melon balls, the drink consists of Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, and Chambord raspberry liqueur.
During my trip to the US Open this year, I tasted the famous drink with a more critical palate than ever before.
I've tried several $22+ cocktails to date, including Kim Kardashian's favorite from Nobu and the most popular drink at Pete Davidson's Pebble Bar. The honey deuce is by far my favorite, and I can understand why they're everywhere during the tournament.
Firstly, this drink is refreshing. It's served in a highball glass with ice, so it's definitely going to be cold — which is crucial for the sweltering heat of the US Open.
I also think the lemonade component makes it taste super light, and it brings me right back to childhood when I'd take a break from playing outside for a glass of the sweet and tangy kid-friendly beverage.
I personally don't like vodka, but the honey deuce I had just tasted like lemonade, in my opinion, with a slight sweetness and hint of raspberry from the Chambord.
The honeydew balls are a toss-up in terms of added flavor. I loved that the ones in my drink didn't seem to soak up the vodka flavor, though. Instead, two of the three were soft and sweet — the third was more firm and had less of that classic honeydew flavor, but variety is to be expected when dealing with fresh fruit.
Walking around the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center grounds at this year's tournament, I saw hoards of people carrying at least one honey deuce — some guests had three or four cups stacked together.
The cup is a status symbol in its own right. Everyone at the tournament can easily see how much each drink costs (this year the price tag was set at $22) and the more cups you have, presumably, the more you spent. You get to take it home with you, so having a stash in your house is a sign to any guest that you not only went to the US Open, but you dropped money on a honey deuce.
Overall, I think the honey deuce is a joy to drink. It's fun, it's delicious, and it's definitely not light on the liquor. The alcohol hit me pretty quickly after I was just a few sips in, so don't say I didn't warn you about that part.
My only hang-up is the price tag. It's an investment at $22, and that takes a bit of the fun out of it if you ask me. And if you drop it on the ground or someone kicks yours over while they're trying to climb over you to find a seat, that can feel pretty heartbreaking — I cringed when I saw a lone cup and melon skewer left behind on the ground after a match. Then again, whoever ordered it didn't take the cup with them, so if you're in it for the souvenir, maybe just keep your eyes peeled after a match empties out — you might get lucky!