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US Open's legendary Honey Deuce cocktail faces stiff competition as fans party hard
By Deirdre Bardolf
Published August 26, 2025
The U.S. Open is officially underway and already off to a wild start after Sunday night's match between Benjamin Bonzi and Daniil Medvedev was delayed as Medvedev argued with the chair umpire – but some of the fiercest battles won't happen on the court.
This year, a wave of new cocktails is challenging the dominance of the Honey Deuce – a vodka, lemonade and raspberry liqueur concoction garnished with honeydew melon "tennis balls."
More than 556,000 of the cult-favorite cocktails were sold last year, generating nearly $13 million in revenue. Over 2.8 million have been sold since they debuted in 2007, according to Grey Goose.
HONEY DEUCE SALES AT US OPEN REVEALED AS COCKTAIL EXPLODES IN POPULARITY
The $23 Honey Deuce has become a "cultural icon," creator Nick Mautone told Fox News Digital last year. And it's helped cement the Open as one of the buzziest — and booziest — sporting events of the year.
Even top American tennis star Frances Tiafoe joked in a 2023 interview, "Seventy percent of the fans are just loaded and just absolutely drunk."
More than 556,000 Honey Deuce cocktails were sold at the 2024 U.S. Open. (Michael Owens/Getty Images for Grey Goose)
Nearly a third of the Open's 25 official partners are beverage brands — seven in total — showing just how central food and drinks have become to the fan experience.
This year, fans will find several high-priced newcomers vying for attention at the 145th Open, which runs through Sept. 7 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York City.
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One of the top contenders is another melon-forward tipple, the Watermelon Slice, created by IHG Hotels & Resorts, the tournament's official hotel sponsor.
The limited-edition cocktail features Moët & Chandon Champagne, watermelon juice, elderflower liqueur and lime and is garnished with a watermelon wedge.
The cocktail was created by mixologist Nick Mautone for Grey Goose in 2007. (Cora Veltman/Sportico via Getty Images)
The drink is served in a collectible neon-stemmed cup and costs $39.
Moët & Chandon is also relatively new to the Open, joining as the tournament's official champagne sponsor in 2024.
It returns this year with its signature sparkling wines in golden goblets for $32 and the debut of the Moët Ice Mimosa — a blend of fresh juice and bubbly, which is designed to be served over ice, presented in a limited-edition goblet, according to the company's website.
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For fans like Emily Visnic, a New York City-based pickleball player, content creator and nurse anesthesiologist, the drinks are part of the draw, no matter the price.
"If there's a new signature drink, I'm going to be trying it," Visnic told Fox News Digital.
"If there's a new signature drink, I'm going to be trying it."
As a racket sport-lover, she said the Open is always a highlight of her year.
"Part of that is trying all the new drinks, all the new food."
Her video of a "hack" for skipping the Honey Deuce lines — by ordering the drink at one of the stadium restaurants — went viral.
More than 556,000 Honey Deuces were sold at the U.S. Open in 2024. (Brad Barket/Getty Images for Grey Goose)
She'll still get a Honey Deuce, but she's also excited to try the new Iced Tiramisu from Italian coffee brand Lavazza, which is made with cold brew, chocolate syrup and mascarpone mousse.
Lavazza will also be serving up caffeinated classics like cappuccinos, iced Americanos and iced lattes, as well as the fan-favorite espresso martini.
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Returning favorites on the menu this year are the Aperol Spritz and Maestro Dobel's tequila cocktails.
The brand is bringing back its signature Ace Paloma, featuring tequila, grapefruit soda and a squeeze of fresh lime juice, which first debuted in 2023.
Its pastel color and green "tennis ball" garnish have made the Honey Deuce a must-share on social media. (USA TODAY Sports via Reuters Connect)
In a statement sent to Fox News Digital, the United States Tennis Association (USTA), which owns and organizes the Open, said its beverage program is designed to offer something for everyone, with drinks served responsibly and plenty of non-alcoholic options available.
"Our fans come from all over the world with different tastes, but they all want a taste of New York City," said Brendan McIntyre, senior communications director for the USTA.
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He noted that cocktail prices are in line with — and in some cases below — other NYC establishments, and highlighted the use of premium ingredients and commemorative cups.
"Fans can also find many different offerings around the grounds, including a significant number at a lower cost, and can pick and choose from all the vast options," McIntyre added.
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The Open has come a long way from having a beverage program that featured Evian water in 1989 and Heineken in 1994. The Honey Deuce arrived amid the Roger Federer and Venus and Serena Williams era – and with it, a new era of courtside cocktails.
It smashed attendance records in 2024, drawing over a million fans for the first time in its history — and with this year's new offerings, the Open could stir up another racket.
https://www.foxnews.com/food-drink/us-opens-legendary-honey-deuce-cocktail-faces-stiff-competition-fans-party-hard