Honey Deuce Cocktail

By
Colleen Graham
Photo of Colleen Graham
Colleen Graham
Freelance writer and cocktail book author Colleen Graham is a seasoned mixologist who loves sharing her knowledge of spirits and passion for preparing drinks.
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Updated on 04/17/23
Easy Honey Deuce Cocktail Recipe - Grey Goose Vodka

Grey Goose Vodka

Prep: 3 mins
Cook: 0 mins
Total: 3 mins
Serving: 1 serving
Yield: 1 cocktail

The honey deuce is a simple and refreshing vodka and lemonade drink with a hint of raspberry and a honeydew melon garnish. It's an ideal summer cocktail and a great way to cool down on a hot day.

This is no ordinary vodka lemonade, though. The recipe is special because it's the official cocktail of the U.S. Open Tennis Championship. It was created by New York City mixologist and restauranteur Nick Mautone for Grey Goose Vodka and has enjoyed great popularity since it was first introduced in the late 2000s.

Whether you're watching the August tennis tournament or not, you will find the honey deuce to be a delicious cocktail. The raspberry flavor of Chambord offsets the tart lemonade with a delicate sweetness and the honeydew balls are perfect for the tennis theme. Also, it's very easy to make, so anyone can mix up a single drink or a round for the entire party in just a few minutes.

Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces vodka

  • 4 ounces fresh-squeezed lemonade

  • 1/2 ounce black raspberry liqueur

  • Honeydew melon balls, for garnish

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

  2. Fill a chilled highball glass with crushed ice and add the vodka.

  3. Top with lemonade to just below the rim, then add the raspberry liqueur.

  4. Garnish with honeydew melon balls. Serve and enjoy.

Tips

  • This version uses slightly more vodka than called for in the original recipe because it's a little easier to pour a full shot. You can certainly pour less if you like, though most drinkers tend to enjoy a longer shot than a short one anyway. Make it however you like, it will be great either way.
  • Chambord is the recommended brand for the drink's liqueur. Its sweet black raspberry flavor is the perfect complement to the sweet tartness of the lemonade. You could, however, choose any of the other raspberry or blackberry liqueurs that are available.
  • The use of fresh-squeezed lemonade cannot be stressed enough for any cocktail. Many of the premade lemonades are too sweet for mixed drinks, and they can quickly throw off the balance of flavors.
  • The melon garnish is a real treat and summer is the perfect time to take advantage of this fresh fruit. All you need is honeydew and a melon baller. It's even better when you skewer the melon balls then toss them in the freezer for about an hour. They'll be nice and frosty and help keep your drink cool.

Recipe Variations

  • Grey Goose Vodka sponsors this drink so it's only natural that it is the recommended brand for the honey deuce. While you can certainly use any vodka you like, it would be best with one of equal quality to Grey Goose. After all, if you're making the effort to mix Chambord and fresh lemonade, there's no reason to pour a subpar vodka.
  • You may also want to play with flavored vodkas. Just a hint of a complementary flavor can add a nice flair to simple cocktails like this. Try berries, citrus, melon, or even cucumber and see what you think.

How Strong Is a Honey Deuce?

The honey deuce is a surprisingly light drink, even with a little extra vodka. It should have an alcohol content in the 10 percent ABV (20 proof) range, making it the same as a very light wine.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
1102 Calories
4g Fat
251g Carbs
14g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 1
Amount per serving
Calories 1102
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 4g 5%
Saturated Fat 1g 5%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 466mg 20%
Total Carbohydrate 251g 91%
Dietary Fiber 20g 73%
Total Sugars 225g
Protein 14g
Vitamin C 466mg 2,328%
Calcium 159mg 12%
Iron 5mg 25%
Potassium 5856mg 125%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)