The creator of the US Open’s popular $23 cocktail puts a spin on the recipe when he makes it at home

But Mautone told BI the original recipe was a little more complex, featuring rosemary citrus, lemon juice instead of lemonade, seltzer, and blackberry cordial. It was simplified to make serving the drink in large quantities easier.

“The honeydew melon balls were the nonnegotiable,” Mautone said.

Now, the drink is almost as iconic as the US Open itself, with many bars making copycat versions, which Mautone said he finds “quite flattering.”

He also said he likes to put a twist on the drink when he makes it at home.

“My personal favorite is to make the Honey Deuce in a large glass and top it with your favorite style of sparkling wine,” Mautone said. “It becomes a bit drier and fizzy yet still refreshing and thirst quenching.”

For those attending the 2024 US Open, Honey Deuce cocktails, sold in Grey Goose collector cups, retail for $23. According to Morning Brew, the drink was $14 in 2012, so its price has increased exponentially over the past decade.

Considering how popular posts about the Honey Deuce have become on social media this year, it’s easy to imagine people will be making their own versions of the beverage at home in the coming weeks.