Us open drink recipe: a complete, practical guide with 5 steps

213 6 minutos de lectura

us open drink recipe

Planning a tennis watch party or simply craving a refreshing long drink with a bit of sporting history? The us open drink recipe is your go-to: a bright, crowd-pleasing serve made famous courtside in New York. In this guide, you’ll learn what it is, how to make it perfectly at home, clever variations (including a non-alcoholic option), batching tips for hosting, and how to avoid common mistakes.

At its heart, the us open drink recipe blends crisp vodka, tangy lemonade and a blush of raspberry liqueur, crowned with charming honeydew melon balls that nod to tennis balls themselves. It’s easy, elegant and adaptable—ideal for late-summer gatherings, match-day menus and effortless entertaining.

What is the us open drink recipe?

The modern classic linked to the US Open is widely known as the Honey Deuce: a vodka-and-lemonade highball with a float of raspberry liqueur and a garnish of honeydew melon balls. It’s the signature cocktail you’ll see in cups around the Billie Jean King National Tennis Center, and it has become a phenomenon—refreshing, photogenic and straightforward to make. For background and inspiration, you can browse the tournament’s site at the official US Open website and the original brand partner’s method at Grey Goose’s Honey Deuce recipe page.

Translating that experience to your home bar is simple. The us open drink recipe is a “built” highball: spirit over ice, topped with lemonade, finished with a gentle pour of liqueur. With just a few tweaks—homemade lemonade, quality ice and a neat garnish—you can serve a version that tastes every bit as good as the on-site original.

Ingredients for a classic us open drink recipe

These proportions create the familiar balance of crisp, citrusy refreshment with a lightly fruity finish.

50 ml good-quality vodka (40% ABV)
100–120 ml chilled cloudy lemonade (homemade or high-quality bottled)
10–15 ml raspberry liqueur (e.g., Chambord)
Crushed or pebble ice (cubed ice also works)
Garnish: 2–3 honeydew melon balls on a cocktail pick
Optional: a thin lemon wheel or expressed lemon peel for aroma

Substitutions you can trust:

Raspberry liqueur substitute: 10–15 ml raspberry syrup for a lower-ABV version.
Lemonade swap: still lemonade from fresh lemon juice, sugar and water, or a quality sparkling lemonade if you like a lift of bubbles.
Melon: honeydew is classic for the tennis-ball look, but Galia or cantaloupe works if that’s what you have.

Because the us open drink recipe is light and citrus-forward, the key to quality is freshness: chilled ingredients, bright lemonade and properly prepared garnish.

Step-by-step: how to make the us open drink recipe at home

Chill your glass. A tall highball or Collins glass is perfect.
Fill the glass with crushed ice to the brim (or use large cubes if that’s what you have).
Pour in 50 ml vodka.
Add 100–120 ml lemonade. Gently stir once to combine.
Float 10–15 ml raspberry liqueur over the top by pouring it slowly onto the back of a spoon. This creates the attractive pink hue.
Garnish with 2–3 honeydew melon balls on a pick. Serve immediately with a short straw.

This build keeps flavours clean and layered, which is why the us open drink recipe looks so appealing in the glass. The raspberry float gradually blends as you sip.

Shaken or built?

Traditionally, it’s built directly in the glass. If you prefer a slightly frostier and more integrated sip, you can shake the vodka and lemonade with ice and strain into fresh ice, then add the raspberry float. Avoid over-shaking, which can over-dilute the drink.

Make your own lemonade (for the best flavour)

For 6–8 servings, mix 250 ml fresh lemon juice, 250 g caster sugar and 750 ml cold water. Stir until dissolved and chill. Taste and adjust with a touch more lemon or sugar if needed. Fresh lemonade lifts the us open drink recipe from good to exceptional.

Smart variations of the us open drink recipe

One of the best parts about the us open drink recipe is how easily it adapts to different palates and occasions. Try these popular spins:

1) Lighter-alcohol “Spritz Deuce”

40 ml vodka
90 ml lemonade
10 ml raspberry liqueur
30–60 ml soda water on top
Melon ball garnish

The soda stretches the drink without making it cloying, producing a crisp, patio-friendly serve.

2) Zero-proof “Honey Deuce-inspired”

120 ml quality cloudy lemonade
15 ml raspberry syrup (or high-fruit cordial)
60 ml soda water
Melon ball garnish

Build over ice and stir. This non-alcoholic version captures the look and flavour profile of the us open drink recipe while keeping things inclusive for all guests.

3) Gin Court

50 ml London Dry gin
100 ml lemonade
10 ml raspberry liqueur (or 10 ml crème de framboise)
Melon ball garnish

Gin switches the profile to botanicals and citrus. It’s a lovely alternative if vodka isn’t your favourite.

4) Frozen slushie

Blend 6–8 large ice cubes with 100 ml vodka, 200–240 ml lemonade and 20–30 ml raspberry liqueur until slushy. Pour into a frozen glass and garnish. This is fantastic for hot afternoons and brings a fun stadium vibe to your garden.

Batch and pitcher us open drink recipe for a crowd

For hosting, pitchering the us open drink recipe is a lifesaver. Keep it simple with a “3-part” ratio and add the raspberry element as a float per glass if you want that layered look.

Pitcher ratio (about 8 servings)

Vodka: 400 ml (8 × 50 ml)
Lemonade: 800–960 ml
Raspberry liqueur: serve 10–15 ml per glass, or mix 100–120 ml into the pitcher for ease

Method: Combine vodka and lemonade in a chilled jug. Keep very cold. To serve, pour over ice and either float the liqueur individually or simply mix it into the jug for speed. Garnish each glass with melon balls. For larger gatherings, double or triple the volumes and pre-skewer garnishes.

Glassware, ice and garnish for the us open drink recipe

The look of the us open drink recipe is half its appeal, so presentation counts:

Glassware: Highball or Collins glass for a tall, cooling profile.
Ice: Crushed or pebble ice gives faster chilling and that stadium-style, frosty look. Large cubes melt slower if you prefer less dilution.
Garnish: Use a melon baller to make 2–3 honeydew spheres. If you don’t own a baller, a teaspoon can carve small scoops. Thread onto a cocktail pick and keep chilled in an airtight container for up to 24 hours.
Colour: A thin lemon wheel adds contrast without overpowering the melon-and-raspberry theme.

Tennis fans often have fun with the sport’s quirky scoring. If you’re crafting themed signage or garnish picks, remember that fifteen is represented as XV in Roman numerals, and you can brush up on formatting with this quick primer on Roman numeral basics. Little details like this make your serving table memorable.

Choosing spirits and mixers for your us open drink recipe

Because the drink is simple, every choice shows up in the glass.

Vodka

Style: A clean, neutral vodka (wheat or grape-based) keeps the focus on lemon and raspberry. Potato vodkas can add a silky texture, which some prefer.
Strength: Standard 40% ABV is typical; avoid flavoured vodkas unless you specifically want the added note.
Temperature: Store your bottle in the freezer before service for extra smoothness.

Lemonade

Homemade: Fresh lemon juice, caster sugar and cold water make the brightest base. Tweak sweetness to taste.
Bottled: Choose high-juice, “cloudy” styles with real sugar over artificial sweeteners for better balance.
Sparkling: If you enjoy fizz, sparkling lemonade works wonderfully—just expect a slightly drier finish.

Raspberry element

Liqueur: Chambord is classic, with rich berry notes and light vanilla. Crème de framboise is a fine alternative, often slightly tarter.
Syrup: For zero- or low-alcohol versions, use a high-fruit raspberry syrup or cordial, then adjust lemonade to keep sweetness in check.

Food pairings for tennis watch parties

The crisp citrus and berry notes of the us open drink recipe pair nicely with foods that are salty, savoury or lightly spiced:

Canapés: Smoked salmon blinis, goat’s cheese tartlets, or cucumber sandwiches.
BBQ and grill: Lemon-and-herb chicken skewers, grilled prawns, or halloumi with a squeeze of lemon.
Snack bowls: Salted almonds, lightly spiced popcorn, or kettle chips.
Dessert: Lemon drizzle cake, berry pavlova, or macarons for a polite nod to centre-court elegance.

Common mistakes to avoid with a us open drink recipe

Too sweet overall: Balance is everything. If your lemonade is very sweet, reduce the raspberry liqueur or add a squeeze of fresh lemon.
Warm ingredients: If lemonade or vodka is warm, you’ll need more ice and risk watery flavours. Pre-chill everything.
Poor-quality ice: Old, freezer-burnt ice adds off-flavours. Use fresh ice and plenty of it.
Neglecting the garnish: The melon balls are not just cute—they add aroma and a hint of freshness. Prepare them properly and keep them cold.
Over-dilution: Crushed ice is traditional, but don’t stir aggressively after adding it. Build, float, garnish, and serve promptly.

Hosting tips and make-ahead prep

Pre-batch base: Mix vodka and lemonade in a labelled jug and chill. Add the raspberry element when serving to keep the layered look.
Garnish station: Pre-spear melon balls and store in the fridge. Place them in a chilled bowl on the bar for guests to help themselves.
Non-alcoholic option: Always set out a zero-proof version so everyone can join in. Signpost it clearly.
Reusable picks and straws: Opt for metal or bamboo to cut waste and elevate presentation.

Nutrition, units and responsible drinking

As a rough guide, one classic us open drink recipe made with