{
  "id": 6788010,
  "title": "How the Honey Deuce became a U.S. Open icon—and how drink brands are racing to become the next one",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/11/how-the-honey-deuce-became-a-u-s-open-icon-and-how-drink-brands-are",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-09-11T17:45:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Fast Company",
    "slug": "fast-company",
    "url": "https://www.fastcompany.com/91604751/how-the-honey-deuce-became-a-us-open-icon-and-how-drink-brands-are-racing-to-become-the-next-one"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. Open, an annual tennis tournament, marks the conclusion of the summer season in New York City. A popular staple at the event is the Honey Deuce cocktail, which consists of lemonade, raspberry liqueur, Grey Goose vodka, and three honeydew melon balls. The drink has become a fan favorite since its launch in 2007, and the tournament sells an estimated 2 million melon balls annually. However, as the fan base evolves, brands are looking to create their own signature drinks to capitalize on the social media potential of the U.S. Open experience. Mixologist Nick Mautone, who created the drink for Grey Goose, based his recipe on a family recipe for honeydew melon balls and chose refreshing, non-alcoholic ingredients to appeal to hot summer days. The drink's success can be attributed to its quality ingredients, exclusivity, and a focus on enhancing the fan experience. Other brands, such as IHG Hotels & Resorts and Moët Hennessy North America, have also created their own signature drinks, such as the Watermelon Slice and Moët Serve, to cater to the changing fan base and generate social media engagement.",
  "summary": "The U.S. Open officially marks the end of the summer season in New York City, and with it comes social media’s favorite seasonal cocktail: the Honey Deuce. Featuring lemonade, raspberry liqueur, Grey Goose vodka, and the iconic three honeydew melon balls that resemble those used in the game, the Honey Deuce has become as much a staple of the U.S. Open as the actual tennis. On social media,…",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Business Insider",
        "title": "8 of the best foods I ate at the US Open — and 3 I'd skip next time",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/10/8-of-the-best-foods-i-ate-at-the-us-open-and-3-id-skip-next-time",
        "published": "2026-09-10T19:04:28.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}