Bars tweak U.S. Open’s Honey Deuce for less sweetness

The Honey Deuce, a $23 vodka cocktail that has become a defining feature of the U.S. Open, sold nearly 740,000 units in 2025 alone, generating close to $17 million in revenue for the tournament. Its blend of Chambord raspberry liqueur, lemonade, and honeydew melon garnish has raised it beyond a simple beverage into a cultural symbol. Tennis champion Tommy Paul and influencer Paige Lorenze even featured it at their wedding this summer, showing its deep connection to the event.

Bars Redesign the Honey Deuce for Balance

Despite its popularity, the cocktail’s sweetness—stemming from the lemonade and Chambord—can overwhelm some drinkers. To address this, bars and home mixologists have begun reimagining the recipe while preserving its core identity. One notable adaptation is the Honey Deuce Martini, introduced at St. Cloud Rooftop at The Knickerbocker in New York City, a venue known as the birthplace of the Dry Martini. This version maintains the drink’s essential flavors, vodka, raspberry, citrus, and melon, but refines them into a more sophisticated presentation.

Chris Miller, director of food and beverage at The Knickerbocker, explains that the martini’s success hinges on balance. The recipe begins with 1.5 ounces of Grey Goose vodka, the U.S. Open’s official sponsor, combined with 0.5 ounces of Chambord, 0.75 ounces of fresh lemon juice, and 0.5 ounces of honey syrup (a 1:1 mix of honey and warm water). Unlike the original, which uses lemonade, this version relies on fresh lemon juice to sharpen the drink’s acidity without muting the vodka’s strength.

Miller advises against overusing Chambord or honey syrup, as both can quickly make the cocktail overly sweet. The goal is to highlight the vodka and raspberry while retaining the familiar Honey Deuce profile. The drink is shaken with ice and served in a chilled martini glass, garnished with three honeydew melon balls on a skewer to evoke the tournament’s iconic presentation.

The martini adaptation represents more than a minor tweak; it reflects a shift toward refined cocktail craftsmanship. Miller notes that the original Honey Deuce leans into a fruit-forward, almost dessert-like quality, while the martini version emphasizes elegance and precision. For those who prefer less sweetness but still want the Honey Deuce experience, this version offers a compelling alternative.

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Hosting Tips for U.S. Open Watch Parties

For home mixologists hosting a U.S. Open watch party, the martini version can be prepped in advance. Miller recommends combining the vodka, Chambord, and honey syrup ahead of time and refrigerating the mixture. The lemon juice, however, should be added just before serving to maintain its brightness. The honeydew melon garnish can also be pre-skewered and frozen, ensuring the drink stays cold without dilution.

Another popular adaptation is a mocktail version, which replaces alcohol with a strong brew of Raspberry Zinger herbal tea and club soda. This non-alcoholic take retains the drink’s brambly raspberry and tart citrus notes while eliminating sugar entirely. Like the martini, it can be batch-prepared, making it ideal for large gatherings.

For batch preparation of the martini, The Knickerbocker’s staff suggests mixing the vodka, raspberry liqueur, and honey-water blend in a large container the day before serving. This keeps the mixture cold and balanced in the refrigerator. During service, freshly squeezed lemon juice is added to each portion just before shaking to preserve its acidity. The cocktail is then poured over ice, shaken vigorously, and double-strained into chilled coupe glasses.

Garnish preparation is also streamlined. Melon spheres are formed, skewered, and frozen to serve as both a decorative element and a cooling agent. When guests receive their drinks, the frozen garnish prevents rapid dilution while maintaining the signature look. The bar ensures the shaker and glassware are pre-chilled to avoid a lukewarm presentation, which could dull the raspberry and citrus notes.