In the midst of the 2024 U.S. Open, we’re obsessed with all things tennis for the time being. If you couldn’t score tickets to the Grand Slam tournament in New York City to try the famed Honey Deuce cocktail in all its authenticity, or if you don’t feel like spending upwards of $20 on one drink, make your own version at home in the Hudson Valley using local spirits for a fraction of the price.
To make this Hudson Valley version of the Honey Deuce, head to your local farmers’ market for a ripe honeydew melon ahead of time (they’re in season!) and order yourself a bottle of raspberry and black pepper liqueur from Claverack’s Cooper’s Daughter Spirits. The woman-owned and family-operated Columbia County distillery stocks this specialty flavor every summer at $36 a bottle – which is less than the price of two of the cocktails in the city and will last you far beyond this recipe. Made with raspberries from Montgomery Place Orchards in Red Hook and Samascott Orchard in Kinderhook, the aperitif is rich and complex with a bite of freshly cracked black pepper that will surely spice up your seasonal Honey Deuce.
With a name that plays on both a tennis term and the fruit that garnishes the colorful drink, the Honey Deuce is truly a beverage worth celebrating. Originally created by Grey Goose, the seasonal cocktail is the official drink of the U.S. Open thanks to its signature honeydew melon balls that perfectly resemble tennis balls. Even Serena Williams is getting in on the action this year, finally trying the cocktail during her first U.S. Open as a spectator rather than a player. After one sip, Williams was already prepared to rename the drink the Honey Ace because it’s just that good.
Hudson Valley Honey Deuce Cocktail
Course: DrinksCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy1
drink10
minutes10
minutesCan’t make it to the U.S. Open? Whip up this Hudson Valley Honey Deuce to sip while the competition goes down.
Ingredients
1 ¼ oz Grey Goose vodka
3 oz fresh lemonade
½ oz Cooper’s Daughter Spirits raspberry and black pepper liqueur
3 honeydew melon balls to garnish
Directions
- Fill a chilled highball glass with cubed ice and add Grey Goose vodka.
- Top with fresh lemonade and Cooper’s Daughter Spirits raspberry and black pepper liqueur.
- Garnish with a skewer of 3 fresh honeydew melon balls.
Notes
- Freeze your honeydew melon balls to keep your drink chilled longer without adding ice.
- Adapted from this Grey Goose recipe.
Related: Make This Boozy Strawberry Mint Tea for Hudson Valley Summers
