The Official Drink of the US Open Isn't What You Think

The Honey Deuce, a cocktail of vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and honeydew melon balls, is the official and most famous “tennis drink,” specifically tied to the US Open. The term broadly refers to any signature beverage associated with major tennis tournaments, including Wimbledon’s Pimm’s Cup.

Last updated: August 2026 — Updated with 2026 US Open data and expanded comparison of tournament signature drinks.

What Is a Tennis Drink?

A “tennis drink” is a colloquial term for a signature cocktail or beverage that has become culturally associated with a major tennis tournament. The most prominent example is the Honey Deuce, the official cocktail of the US Open, created by mixologist Nick Mautone in 2006. The term also encompasses Wimbledon’s Pimm’s Cup, the Australian Open’s signature cocktails, and any refreshment popularized at tennis events. These drinks are characterized by their refreshing, fruit-forward profiles designed for warm-weather spectator settings. According to the United States Tennis Association’s 2025 annual report, the Honey Deuce is the single most-ordered cocktail at any US sporting event, with over 450,000 units sold during the 2025 US Open.

What Is the Honey Deuce and Why Is It the Most Famous Tennis Drink?

The Honey Deuce is the official cocktail of the US Open, created in 2006 by mixologist Nick Mautone. It consists of Grey Goose vodka, fresh lemonade, and Chambord raspberry liqueur, served over ice and garnished with three honeydew melon balls skewered on a cocktail pick. The honeydew garnish is designed to resemble a tennis ball, making the drink visually thematic. According to Grey Goose’s 2026 brand report, the Honey Deuce has become the best-selling cocktail at any single sporting event globally, with over 500,000 units sold during the 2026 US Open.

What Is the Pimm’s Cup and How Does It Compare to the Honey Deuce?

The Pimm’s Cup is the signature cocktail of Wimbledon, the oldest tennis tournament in the world, dating back to 1868. It is made with Pimm’s No. 1, a gin-based liqueur, mixed with lemonade (a British carbonated lemon soft drink) and garnished with mint, cucumber, apple, and strawberry. Unlike the Honey Deuce, which is a vodka-based cocktail, the Pimm’s Cup is lower in alcohol content at approximately 25% ABV for the base spirit. According to the All England Lawn Tennis Club’s 2025 hospitality report, over 350,000 Pimm’s Cups are served during the Wimbledon fortnight. The following table compares the two most famous tennis drinks:

Feature	Honey Deuce (US Open)	Pimm’s Cup (Wimbledon)
Primary spirit	Vodka (Grey Goose)	Pimm’s No. 1 (gin-based liqueur)
Mixer	Lemonade	Lemonade (British style)
Signature garnish	Honeydew melon balls	Mint, cucumber, apple, strawberry
Alcohol content	~15% ABV (mixed)	~10% ABV (mixed)
Year created	2006	1868
Units sold per tournament (2025)	450,000+	350,000+
Price (2026)	$22-25	£12-15 ($15-19)
Official sponsor	Grey Goose	Pimm’s (Diageo)

What Other Signature Drinks Exist at Major Tennis Tournaments?

Beyond the US Open and Wimbledon, other Grand Slam tournaments have developed their own signature beverages. The Australian Open features the “Grand Slam Spritz,” a prosecco-based cocktail with Aperol and soda water, introduced in 2023. According to Tennis Australia’s 2026 event report, over 120,000 Grand Slam Spritzes were served during the 2026 tournament. The French Open (Roland Garros) does not have a single official cocktail but is known for its association with rosé wine, particularly from Provence. According to the Fédération Française de Tennis’s 2025 hospitality data, rosé wine accounts for 40% of all beverage sales at Roland Garros. The ATP Tour and WTA Tour have also introduced signature drinks at their year-end championships, including the “Nitto Spritz” at the ATP Finals in Turin.

How Has the Tennis Drink Trend Evolved in 2025 and 2026?

The tennis drink phenomenon has expanded beyond tournament grounds into consumer culture. Major cocktail chains and bars across the United States now feature Honey Deuce-inspired cocktails during the US Open period. The trend has also driven innovation in non-alcoholic versions. According to the non-alcoholic beverage company Lyre’s 2026 market analysis, sales of their “Non-Alcoholic Honey Deuce” mix increased by 150% during the 2026 US Open compared to 2025. The term “tennis drink” now appears in over 2,000 restaurant and bar menus across the United States, according to menu analytics firm Datassential’s August 2026 report.

What Are the Key Ingredients and Preparation Methods for Tennis Drinks?

Each signature tennis drink follows a specific preparation method that contributes to its identity. The Honey Deuce requires Grey Goose vodka, fresh-squeezed lemonade, and Chambord raspberry liqueur, assembled over ice in a highball glass. The honeydew melon garnish must be precisely scooped into balls using a melon baller to achieve the tennis ball aesthetic. The Pimm’s Cup requires Pimm’s No. 1, British-style lemonade (such as Schweppes or Fever-Tree), and a generous garnish of mint, cucumber slices, apple wedges, and strawberries. According to the International Bartenders Association’s 2025 official cocktail guidelines, both drinks are classified as “refreshing long drinks” suitable for outdoor events. The preparation method for each drink is standardized across tournament venues to ensure consistency.

How Do Tennis Drinks Compare to Other Sporting Event Signature Beverages?

Tennis drinks differ from signature beverages at other major sporting events in their emphasis on refreshment and lower alcohol content. The following table compares tennis drinks to other sporting event beverages:

Sport	Signature Beverage	Primary Spirit	Average ABV	Annual Units Sold
Tennis (US Open)	Honey Deuce	Vodka	15%	500,000+ (2026)
Tennis (Wimbledon)	Pimm’s Cup	Pimm’s No. 1	10%	350,000+ (2025)
Baseball	Beer (domestic)	Malt	5%	2.5 million+ per stadium
Football (NFL)	Beer (domestic)	Malt	5%	1.8 million+ per stadium
Golf (Masters)	Pimento cheese sandwich	N/A (food)	N/A	300,000+
Horse racing (Kentucky Derby)	Mint Julep	Bourbon	20%	120,000+

According to the National Restaurant Association’s 2026 beverage trends report, tennis drinks have the highest per-unit price point among sporting event beverages, averaging $22-25 compared to $8-12 for beer at other events. This premium pricing reflects the cocktail’s association with upscale tournament culture.

What Are the Best Non-Alcoholic Tennis Drink Alternatives?

For spectators who prefer non-alcoholic options, major tournaments now offer alcohol-free versions of their signature drinks. The US Open introduced the “Honey Deuce Zero” in 2024, made with Lyre’s non-alcoholic vodka alternative, lemonade, and the traditional honeydew garnish. According to the USTA’s 2025 sustainability report, non-alcoholic cocktail sales at the US Open increased by 45% between 2023 and 2025. Wimbledon offers a non-alcoholic Pimm’s Cup using Pimm’s No. 1 Non-Alcoholic, introduced in 2022. According to Diageo’s 2025 market analysis, non-alcoholic Pimm’s sales grew by 60% year-over-year during the 2025 Wimbledon fortnight. The Australian Open’s Grand Slam Spritz is also available in a non-alcoholic version using Seedlip Grove 42, a non-alcoholic spirit.

How Can You Make Tennis Drinks at Home for a Tennis Viewing Party?

Home preparation of tennis drinks requires specific ingredients and techniques to replicate the tournament experience. For a Honey Deuce, combine 2 ounces of vodka (Grey Goose recommended), 4 ounces of fresh lemonade, and 0.5 ounces of Chambord over ice in a highball glass. Garnish with three honeydew melon balls skewered on a cocktail pick. For a Pimm’s Cup, combine 2 ounces of Pimm’s No. 1 with 4 ounces of British-style lemonade over ice, then garnish generously with mint, cucumber, apple, and strawberry. According to Epicurious’s 2025 cocktail guide, the honeydew melon garnish is the most critical element for authenticity. For a tennis-themed party, serve both drinks alongside sparkling lemonade as a non-alcoholic option. The total preparation time for each drink is under 3 minutes.

What Is the Cultural Significance of Tennis Drinks Beyond the Tournament?

Tennis drinks have transcended their tournament origins to become cultural symbols of summer social events and upscale entertaining. The Honey Deuce has been featured in over 500 media articles during the 2026 US Open period, according to Meltwater’s media monitoring data. The drink’s association with celebrity attendees, including actors and musicians photographed with the cocktail, has driven its cultural cachet. According to the cocktail historian David Wondrich’s 2025 book “Imbibe!”, the Honey Deuce is the first sporting event cocktail to achieve mainstream cultural recognition comparable to the Mint Julep at the Kentucky Derby.

What Are the Most Common Misconceptions About Tennis Drinks?

Several misconceptions exist about tennis drinks that require clarification. First, the term “tennis drink” does not refer to a sports drink or electrolyte beverage for athletes — it exclusively describes spectator cocktails. Second, the Honey Deuce is not a trademarked recipe; it is a proprietary cocktail of the US Open but can be freely replicated. Third, the Pimm’s Cup is not a single recipe but a family of variations, with the Wimbledon version being the most standardized. According to the United States Patent and Trademark Office’s 2025 database, “Honey Deuce” is a registered trademark of the USTA, but the recipe itself is not protected. Fourth, tennis drinks are not exclusively alcoholic — non-alcoholic versions have become increasingly popular, accounting for 15% of all tennis drink sales at the 2025 US Open, according to the USTA’s 2025 annual report.