I can’t get over how a simple pink cocktail became the most iconic sip in tennis. My Honey Deuce has that courtside magic, with a juicy little secret that makes everyone ask for another glass.

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I’m obsessed with the Honey Deuce because it tastes like tennis season in a glass: sharp, cold, a little fancy, and totally unserious in the best way. I love how vodka slips in clean while chilled lemonade brings that bright, mouthwatering snap that keeps me going back for another sip.

But the real pull is how it feels courtside, even when I’m just on my couch yelling at a match. Crisp.

Boozy. Ridiculously drinkable.

And yes, I adore the name almost as much as the drink itself. It’s playful, polished, and dangerously easy to love on a hot afternoon.

Ingredients

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Vodka keeps it crisp and grown-up, without bossing around the lemonade.
Chilled lemonade brings that sweet-tart, courtside vibe everyone instantly gets.
Honey syrup softens the edges, so it’s smooth instead of sharp.
Fresh lemon juice adds brightness when you want the drink extra snappy.
Ice matters here, because nobody wants a lukewarm tennis cocktail.
Raspberries make it prettier, fruitier, and a little more fun to sip.
Mint gives it a fresh finish.
Plus, it looks fancy with zero effort.
Basically, it’s refreshing, easy, and way more fun than plain lemonade.

Ingredient Quantities

2 ounces vodka

8 ounces chilled lemonade (fresh or store bought)

1 tablespoon honey syrup (see note: equal parts honey and warm water, mixed)

Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1/2 ounce) for brightness, optional

Ice (enough to fill a tall glass)

Fresh raspberries, 4 to 6 for muddling or garnish, optional

Mint sprig for garnish, optional

How to Make this

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1. Make honey syrup by stirring equal parts honey and warm water until combined, then let cool.

2. Fill a tall glass with ice.

3. If using raspberries, place 4 to 6 raspberries in a shaker or the bottom of the glass and gently muddle to release juices.

4. Add 2 ounces vodka to the shaker or glass.

5. Pour in 8 ounces chilled lemonade.

6. Add 1 tablespoon honey syrup and, if desired, the juice of 1/2 lemon for extra brightness.

7. Stir gently to combine and chill the drink.

8. Strain into the ice-filled tall glass if you muddled raspberries in a shaker, otherwise leave as is.

9. Garnish with a few whole raspberries and a sprig of mint.

10. Serve immediately and enjoy.

Equipment Needed

1. Tall Collins or highball glass
2. Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
3. Muddler or wooden spoon for muddling raspberries
4. Jigger or measuring tool (2 ounce and tablespoon markings)
5. Long-handled bar spoon for stirring
6. Fine mesh strainer or cocktail strainer
7. Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for making honey syrup
8. Citrus juicer or reamer for lemon juice

FAQ

Is honey syrup necessary or can I use straight honey? Honey syrup is recommended because liquid honey blends easily into cold drinks. Straight honey will clump and not dissolve well unless warmed and mixed first.

Can I make this drink ahead of time? Yes. Mix the vodka, honey syrup and lemonade in a pitcher and refrigerate up to 24 hours. Add ice, raspberries and mint just before serving.

What lemonade works best? Fresh lemonade is ideal for brightness, but good quality store bought lemonade works fine. Adjust lemon juice if it needs more tang.

How can I make this alcohol free? Omit vodka and replace it with equal parts chilled sparkling water or lemon soda for similar volume and fizz.

How many servings does this recipe make? The quantities listed make one tall serving. Scale up proportionally for a pitcher to serve a crowd.

Can I use frozen raspberries? Yes. Thaw slightly for muddling or add a couple frozen berries as garnish, though they will chill the drink more and add extra berry flavor as they melt.

The Most Popular Drink In Tennis Named Honey Deuce! Recipe Substitutions and Variations

Vodka: substitute with gin for a botanical lift, tequila blanco for a brighter agave note, or light rum for a sweeter, tropical profile.
Chilled lemonade: use sparkling lemonade for effervescence, limeade for a tarter edge, or chilled iced tea for a lemonade-iced tea hybrid.
Honey syrup: replace with simple syrup (1:1 sugar to water) for a neutral sweetener, or agave nectar thinned with warm water for a similar viscosity and flavor.
Fresh raspberries: swap with muddled strawberries, frozen mixed berries (thawed), or a few drops of raspberry liqueur for intense fruit flavor without seeds.

Pro Tips

1. Chill everything first: keep the vodka and lemonade in the fridge so the drink stays crisp without diluting too quickly when you add ice.

2. Make the honey syrup ahead and store it in the fridge: it blends more evenly than straight honey and you can adjust sweetness by adding a touch more or less syrup.

3. Muddle raspberries gently and strain if you want a smooth drink: press just enough to release color and flavor, then strain for a clear lemonade or leave the bits in for a rustic, fruit-forward sip.

4. Brighten with fresh lemon juice sparingly: a little goes a long way, so add in small increments and taste as you go to avoid overpowering the lemonade.

5. Garnish with purpose: slap the mint between your palms to wake up the oils before adding it, and thread a couple of raspberries on a cocktail pick for an easy, attractive finish.

The Most Popular Drink In Tennis Named Honey Deuce! Recipe

Recipe by Sam Ecclestone

0.0 from 0 votes

I can’t get over how a simple pink cocktail became the most iconic sip in tennis. My Honey Deuce has that courtside magic, with a juicy little secret that makes everyone ask for another glass.

Servings

servings

Calories

300

kcal

Equipment: 1. Tall Collins or highball glass
2. Cocktail shaker or mixing glass
3. Muddler or wooden spoon for muddling raspberries
4. Jigger or measuring tool (2 ounce and tablespoon markings)
5. Long-handled bar spoon for stirring
6. Fine mesh strainer or cocktail strainer
7. Small saucepan or microwave-safe bowl for making honey syrup
8. Citrus juicer or reamer for lemon juice

Ingredients

2 ounces vodka
8 ounces chilled lemonade (fresh or store bought)
1 tablespoon honey syrup (see note: equal parts honey and warm water, mixed)
Juice of 1/2 lemon (about 1/2 ounce) for brightness, optional
Ice (enough to fill a tall glass)
Fresh raspberries, 4 to 6 for muddling or garnish, optional
Mint sprig for garnish, optional

Directions

Make honey syrup by stirring equal parts honey and warm water until combined, then let cool.
Fill a tall glass with ice.
If using raspberries, place 4 to 6 raspberries in a shaker or the bottom of the glass and gently muddle to release juices.
Add 2 ounces vodka to the shaker or glass.
Pour in 8 ounces chilled lemonade.
Add 1 tablespoon honey syrup and, if desired, the juice of 1/2 lemon for extra brightness.
Stir gently to combine and chill the drink.
Strain into the ice-filled tall glass if you muddled raspberries in a shaker, otherwise leave as is.
Garnish with a few whole raspberries and a sprig of mint.
Serve immediately and enjoy.

Notes

Below you’ll find my best estimate of this recipe’s nutrition facts. Treat the numbers as a guide rather than a rule—great food should nourish both body and spirit. Figures are approximate, and the website owner assumes no liability for any inaccuracies in this recipe.