There are certain things that instantly say U.S. Open.
The roar of the crowd. The late-summer heat in New York. Night matches under the lights. The unmistakable blue courts. And, increasingly, a pale pink drink topped with three little green honeydew melon balls that look remarkably like tennis balls.
That drink is the Honey Deuce cocktail, and it has become almost as recognizable at the tournament as some of the food, fashion, and celebrity sightings surrounding the matches.
For tennis fans, carrying one around the grounds has become part of the U.S. Open experience. But there's no reason the fun has to stay at the stadium.
If you're watching the tournament from your living room, patio, or a friend's house, you can borrow the inspiration and create your own version at home.
And if you're someone who enjoys a cocktail but also pays attention to sugar and ingredients, there's another opportunity: create a Honey Deuce-inspired drink using a zero-sugar mixer.
That's where Cocktail Stix comes in.
With Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix, vodka, citrus, water or sparkling water, and the all-important honeydew garnish, you can create a festive U.S. Open-inspired drink without relying on a traditional sweetened mixer.
It won't be the official U.S. Open recipe—and we won't pretend that it is.
Instead, think of it as your own courtside-inspired cocktail: easy to make, fun to serve, and perfect for watching great tennis at home.
How the Honey Deuce Cocktail Became a U.S. Open Tradition
The U.S. Open has always been about more than tennis.
For two weeks each year, the tournament becomes one of New York's major social and sporting events. Fans come for the matches, of course, but food, drinks, fashion, celebrity sightings, and the atmosphere surrounding the tournament have all become part of the experience.
The Honey Deuce fits perfectly into that world.
It's recognizable.
It's photogenic.
And most importantly, it has a playful connection to tennis.
The Story Behind the Drink
The Honey Deuce was created in 2006 by restaurateur and mixologist Nick Mautone in partnership with Grey Goose.
The goal was to develop a signature drink for the U.S. Open.
The name itself is a tennis-inspired play on words. In tennis, 'deuce' means the score is tied at 40-40. The 'honey' comes from the drink's now-famous honeydew garnish.
Over the years, the drink grew from a tournament beverage into a genuine U.S. Open tradition.
Today, you'll see it throughout the grounds at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, frequently served in a collectible cup featuring the names of past U.S. Open champions.
For many fans, ordering one has become part of attending the tournament.
Why Those Honeydew “Tennis Balls” Matter
A big part of the appeal is sitting right on top of the glass.
The garnish traditionally consists of three honeydew melon balls placed on a cocktail pick.
The melon balls resemble miniature tennis balls.
It's simple, clever, and instantly recognizable.
It's also one of the easiest parts of the experience to recreate at home.
All you need is a ripe honeydew melon, a melon baller, and cocktail picks.
Scoop three relatively even balls, slide them onto the pick, and place the garnish across the top of your glass.
Suddenly, an ordinary pink drink looks like it belongs at the U.S. Open.
And unlike an elaborate garnish that requires special equipment or bartending experience, this one is easy enough to prepare before your guests arrive.
The $23 U.S. Open Cocktail
The official Honey Deuce is priced at $23 at the 2026 U.S. Open.
Part of what you're paying for, of course, is the experience.
You're at one of the world's biggest tennis tournaments in New York City. You're drinking a signature tournament cocktail while watching the best players in the world.
For many fans, that's worth doing at least once.
But if you're watching several days of tennis at home—or inviting friends over for a match—you can take inspiration from the original and create something festive without stadium pricing.
That gives us a very different kind of U.S. Open tradition:
Make your own.
What's Actually in the Official Honey Deuce Cocktail?
Before we create a Cocktail Stix-inspired version, it's worth understanding the original.
The official drink is remarkably straightforward.
The Official Ingredients
The U.S. Open Honey Deuce is made with:
Grey Goose vodka.
Lemonade.
Raspberry liqueur.
And the signature honeydew melon-ball garnish.
That combination creates the pale pink color and sweet-tart raspberry-lemon profile associated with the drink.
It's important to make a distinction here.
That is the official U.S. Open drink.
The Cocktail Stix version we're creating below is inspired by the flavors, colors, garnish, and overall experience. It isn't intended to be presented as the official recipe.
That's actually part of the fun of making drinks at home.
You can borrow the idea and adapt it to your own preferences.
Where the Sweetness Comes From
In the traditional recipe, lemonade and raspberry liqueur both contribute to the drink's flavor and sweetness.
Exact sugar content can vary depending on the specific ingredients and quantities used, so we're not going to assign a number to the official drink.
But if you're someone who prefers to limit added sugar in cocktail mixers, making your own drink gives you more control.
Instead of starting with sweetened lemonade and raspberry liqueur, you can create the raspberry-citrus flavor in another way.
For Cocktail Stix fans, Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix provides a convenient starting point.
Make a Honey Deuce Cocktail-Inspired Drink With Cocktail Stix
This is where we get creative.
The objective isn't to copy the official U.S. Open recipe.
It's to capture some of the things that make it so much fun.
We want a raspberry-forward flavor.
We want citrus.
We want a refreshing drink that's easy to sip during a long match.
And we absolutely want those three honeydew tennis balls.
Start With Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix
For our version, start with Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix.
Prepare the Stix according to the package directions, then customize the drink for the U.S. Open theme.
For an alcoholic version, pair it with your preferred vodka.
Add fresh lemon or a squeeze of lemon juice for extra citrus character if desired.
Depending on how you like your drinks, use chilled water or sparkling water to create the finished drink according to the Cocktail Stix preparation directions.
Serve it over plenty of ice.
Then add the garnish.
Three honeydew melon balls.
That final detail is what transforms a raspberry cocktail into something that immediately feels connected to tennis season in New York.
Make the Garnish the Star
Don't underestimate the garnish.
If you're having friends over to watch tennis, prepare the honeydew ahead of time.
Cut the melon in half and remove the seeds.
Use a melon baller to scoop small, round pieces.
They don't need to be absolutely perfect.
In fact, that's part of the charm of making them yourself.
Thread three melon balls onto each cocktail pick and refrigerate them until you're ready to serve drinks.
You can make enough for the entire evening in advance.
Then, when someone makes a drink, all that's left to do is place the garnish across the glass.
For an even more festive presentation, arrange the finished melon-ball picks on a chilled plate beside your cocktail station.
Guests can add their own.
Make It a Mocktail
One of the advantages of creating a U.S. Open-inspired drink at home is that everyone can participate.
Not everyone wants alcohol.
Some guests may be driving.
Someone may want one cocktail and then switch to something alcohol-free.
Others simply prefer mocktails.
Prepare Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix without vodka, using the package directions and chilled still or sparkling water.
Add lemon if desired.
Pour it over ice.
Finish with the same three honeydew melon balls.
Visually, it can still feel every bit as festive.
That means you don't have to create a completely separate drink concept for guests who aren't drinking alcohol.
Cocktail or mocktail, everyone gets the tennis balls.
A Less-Sugar Approach to Your U.S. Open Drink
Cocktails can be part of an enjoyable lifestyle without pretending they're something they're not.
Alcohol is alcohol.
If you add vodka to a drink, you're adding alcohol and calories.
But you can still make choices about the other ingredients you put in the glass.
Look Beyond the Spirit
When people think about cocktails, they often focus primarily on the liquor.
But what's mixed with the liquor matters too.
Depending on the recipe, a cocktail may include sweetened lemonade, tonic, soda, syrups, fruit juice, liqueurs, or bottled mixers.
There's nothing inherently wrong with enjoying those ingredients.
The question is simply what you want in your drink.
If you're paying attention to added sugar, the mixer is one place where you have choices.
And at home, you have complete control.
You can decide how sweet you want the drink.
You can decide how much alcohol to use.
You can add more water or sparkling water.
You can add fresh citrus.
You can even skip the alcohol entirely.
Why Cocktail Stix Works Here
Cocktail Stix mixers contain zero sugar, zero calories, and zero net carbs.
They are sweetened with allulose and monk fruit.
That makes Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix particularly useful for this U.S. Open-inspired idea.
You're getting the raspberry cocktail flavor without adding sugar or calories through the Cocktail Stix mixer itself.
It's important to keep that statement in perspective.
If you add vodka, the finished cocktail contains calories from the alcohol.
Adding fruit or other ingredients can also change the nutritional content of the finished drink.
Cocktail Stix isn't making the alcohol disappear.
It's simply giving you a zero-sugar mixer option.
For many health-conscious social drinkers, that's exactly the kind of choice they're looking for.
They don't necessarily want to stop enjoying cocktail hour.
They just want more control over what goes into the glass.
Turn It Into a U.S. Open Watch Party
Here's where this idea gets really fun.
Don't make just one drink.
Turn it into an event.
Invite a few friends over for an afternoon match, women's final, men's final, or one of those great night sessions that keeps everyone watching later than expected.
You don't need elaborate tennis decorations.
The drinks can do most of the work.
Create a Courtside-Inspired Cocktail Station
Set up a section of your kitchen counter, bar cart, or sideboard as a self-serve drink station.
Start with Cocktail Stix.
Put Raspberry Martini front and center for the U.S. Open-inspired drink, but there's no reason you can't offer additional Cocktail Stix flavors too.
Add vodka for guests who want the tennis-inspired cocktail.
Put chilled sparkling and still water nearby.
Fill an ice bucket just before guests arrive.
Set out fresh lemon wedges.
Add a bowl of raspberries if you'd like another garnish option.
And then put out the star:
Your honeydew melon-ball picks.
Arrange them on a plate or in a chilled dish.
Add attractive glasses and cocktail napkins.
If you want to make things even easier, place a small card beside the ingredients explaining how you're making your U.S. Open-inspired Cocktail Stix drink.
Then let your guests take over.
You get to watch the match instead of spending every changeover making drinks.
Offer Cocktails and Mocktails
A self-serve setup also solves one of the more awkward parts of entertaining: figuring out what everyone drinks.
You don't need to ask.
Guests who want alcohol can add vodka.
Guests who don't can make the same drink without it.
Someone who has had one cocktail and wants to switch to a mocktail can do that without changing flavors.
That flexibility works particularly well during a sporting event that can last for hours.
People can pace themselves and choose what they want throughout the afternoon or evening.
Keep the Food Easy
If you're inviting people over to watch tennis, don't create a menu that requires you to miss the tennis.
Think easy.
A cheese and charcuterie board.
Fresh vegetables with dips.
Small sandwiches or wraps.
Olives and nuts.
Fruit.
A simple salad.
Something that can go into the oven and come out without constant attention.
You can even continue the tennis theme with a bowl of honeydew melon balls or a fruit platter featuring green grapes and honeydew.
The goal isn't to turn your house into a themed restaurant.
It's to make watching the U.S. Open feel a little more like an occasion.
Bring a Little U.S. Open Style Home
There's something fun about watching a major sporting event and participating in its traditions.
People make mint juleps at home during the Kentucky Derby.
They create elaborate snacks for the Super Bowl.
Wimbledon has strawberries and cream.
The Honey Deuce has increasingly become part of the U.S. Open experience.
And the beauty of this particular tradition is how easy it is to borrow.
You don't need elaborate equipment.
You don't need a bartender.
You don't need to buy 15 ingredients.
You need a good-looking glass, ice, a refreshing drink, and three little honeydew tennis balls.
Make the Presentation Feel Special
Use the glassware you already own.
A tall glass works.
A wine glass works.
A rocks glass works.
The garnish is what tells the story.
Add plenty of ice so the drink looks refreshing.
Use a cocktail pick for the honeydew.
Put a cloth napkin underneath the glass if you want to make it feel a little more polished.
If you're serving several people, line the finished drinks up on a tray.
Suddenly, your living room feels a little closer to Flushing Meadows.
Let the Tennis Be the Entertainment
You don't need games or complicated activities at a U.S. Open watch party.
You've already got entertainment.
Let the tennis be the focus.
Put the match on.
Make sure everyone has a comfortable place to sit.
Keep food and drinks somewhere people can reach them easily.
And enjoy the afternoon.
If you're watching with tennis players, you'll probably get running commentary on serves, footwork, line calls, and whether someone should have approached the net.
If you're watching with casual fans, they'll probably have opinions about the outfits.
Either way, that's part of the fun.
Honey Deuce Cocktail FAQ
What is a Honey Deuce cocktail?
The Honey Deuce is the signature cocktail associated with the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
The official version combines Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and a garnish of three honeydew melon balls.
Those melon balls resemble miniature tennis balls and have become the drink's most recognizable visual feature.
What's in the official U.S. Open Honey Deuce?
The official U.S. Open drink contains Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and honeydew melon balls.
The Cocktail Stix drink described in this article is an inspired alternative, not the official recipe.
It uses Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix as the flavor base and can be customized with vodka, citrus, and still or sparkling water.
Why does the Honey Deuce have honeydew melon balls?
The honeydew garnish is a clever reference to tennis.
Three round honeydew melon balls are placed on a cocktail pick, creating the appearance of miniature green tennis balls.
It's one of the defining elements of the drink and one of the easiest parts to recreate at home.
How much is a Honey Deuce at the 2026 U.S. Open?
The official drink is priced at $23 at the 2026 U.S. Open.
The stadium version is part drink and part tournament experience, but fans watching at home can create their own U.S. Open-inspired cocktails without paying stadium prices.
Can you make a Honey Deuce-inspired drink with less sugar?
Yes.
Rather than attempting to duplicate the official recipe, you can create a raspberry-citrus drink inspired by it using a zero-sugar mixer.
Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix contains zero sugar, zero calories, and zero net carbs.
Prepare it according to the package directions, add vodka if desired, customize with citrus and water or sparkling water, and finish with honeydew melon balls.
Remember that vodka and other added ingredients contribute their own calories and nutritional content.
Can you make a Honey Deuce-inspired mocktail without alcohol?
Absolutely.
Prepare Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix without vodka according to the package directions.
Use chilled still or sparkling water, add fresh lemon if desired, pour over ice, and garnish with three honeydew melon balls.
The garnish gives you the U.S. Open presentation without alcohol.
What drinks should I serve at a U.S. Open watch party?
You don't need a huge drink menu.
Set up a self-serve station with several Cocktail Stix flavors, vodka or other spirits if you're serving alcohol, sparkling water, still water, plenty of ice, citrus, and fresh garnishes.
Make the honeydew melon-ball picks ahead of time for your U.S. Open-inspired drinks.
Giving guests the option to make either cocktails or mocktails makes the setup flexible and keeps the host from playing bartender throughout the match.
Bring the U.S. Open Cocktail Experience Home
Part of the fun of the U.S. Open is everything surrounding the tennis.
The crowds.
The food.
The New York energy.
The night matches.
And yes, those pink drinks with the little green tennis balls floating above them.
If you're lucky enough to be at the tournament, ordering the official drink can be part of the experience.
But if you're watching from home, there's no reason you can't create a tradition of your own.
Pick up a fresh honeydew melon.
Find the melon baller hiding in the back of your kitchen drawer.
Chill the glasses.
Put the tennis on.
And make something that feels special.
With Raspberry Martini Cocktail Stix, you can create a raspberry-forward, U.S. Open-inspired cocktail or mocktail while choosing a mixer with zero sugar and zero calories.
Add vodka if you want a cocktail.
Skip it if you want a mocktail.
Add citrus.
Add sparkling water.
But don't forget those three honeydew tennis balls.
Because sometimes the garnish really does make the drink.
Watching the U.S. Open at home? Make your own courtside-inspired cocktails and mocktails with Cocktail Stix. With zero sugar and zero calories in the mixer, Cocktail Stix makes it easy to put a less-sugar spin on cocktail hour while you enjoy the matches. Visit www.cocktailstix.com to discover the flavors.