US Open’s Trendiest Cocktail May Pose Health Risks, Experts Warn

It is one of the US Open’s most recognizable signatures: a bright, summer-ready cocktail that its creator says was “dreamt up over a weekend.”

Nick Mautone, who had been asked to develop a vodka-based drink, said the idea began in 2006 while he was driving through Hampton Bays on Long Island and stopped at a farm stand for seasonal ingredients including blackberries, rosemary and honeydew melons.

Later that night, while preparing a salad and scooping the melon into balls, inspiration struck, he wrote: “lightning struck – the melon balls looked just like tennis balls!”

With the garnish settled, Mautone spent the weekend experimenting on willing houseguests, mixing vodka with different additions until he arrived at what would become the Honey Deuce: vodka, fresh lemonade, raspberry liqueur and three honeydew melon balls.

The cocktail soon grew far beyond a courtside novelty. At last year’s tournament, nearly 740,000 Honey Deuces were sold, generating a record $17 million.

Its popularity has also been boosted by famous fans, with the drink spotted in the hands of stars including Taylor Swift, Bruce Springsteen and even Serena Williams.

For many spectators, the $23 US Open staple is part refreshment, part keepsake, prized for its light, sweet flavor and the souvenir plastic cup that comes with it.

But if you plan to sip one in the stands this summer, there are a few health considerations worth keeping in mind.

‘Overall, it really is a decent drink,’ said dietitian Leonila Campas, ‘and people are drinking it to have a good time, not as a health drink.’

‘But, as with everything, portions always matter. I might take a second look if I’m going back for a second, third, fourth – that might ring alarm bells.’

A honey deuce contains about 1 1/4 ounces of vodka and 1/2 an ounce of premium raspberry liqueur, alongside three ounces of fresh lemonade and three honeydew melon balls.

Little nutritional information on the drink has been published, but some online sources say it contains 192 calories.

This is similar to other popular cocktails including a margarita, around 200 calories, or tequila sunrise, around 220 calories, but is slightly more than a 12oz can of regular Coca-Cola or a pint of beer, both around 140 calories.

And because of its light and refreshing taste, spectators say it goes down easy and fast, leaving some to reach for seconds or thirds. Consuming three honey deuces is nearly 600 calories, equivalent to just over half a tub of a standard Ben and Jerry’s ice cream.

The drink may also contain a fair bit of sugar.   

Estimates online suggest the drink could contain between 11 and 19 grams of sugar.

At the higher end, that would be equivalent to two glazed Krispy Kreme donuts or chocolate cookies, which contain about 10 grams of sugar each.

Dietitians warn that regularly consuming a lot of sugar can raise the risk of weight gain, diabetes, tooth decay and other health complications.

The honey deuce contains little protein, fat, fiber or other essential nutrients. Although it does have honeydew melon balls, experts say these provide little nutritional value and would not count towards your five-a-day fruit recommendations. 

Then there’s the alcohol content.

‘These drinks are really sweet,’ said Tina Sergi, a dietitian in Texas, ‘so, that means it’s quite easy to drink a lot of them. 

‘The sugar in these drinks masks the taste of alcohol too, which means someone may struggle to realize how many they have had.

‘That means there is a risk that someone drinking these could get quite drunk.’

A honey deuce contains the equivalent alcohol content of about one standard cocktail. 

US health officials recommend that people ‘consume less alcohol for better health.’ 

Previously, they had said that women should have no more than one alcoholic drink per day and men should have no more than two. In some countries, such as Canada, the limit is set at two a week.

Binge drinking is defined as consuming four or more alcoholic drinks for women and five or more for men within two hours. 

Some health officials warn that consuming alcohol in any amount may raise the risk of suffering from diabetes, cancer and other health conditions. Others say, however, that people should be able to drink on occasion, arguing that alcoholic beverages have an important role in celebrations and as a social lubricant that brings people together.

Due to the alcohol content, Campas warned there was a risk that, if someone drinks several honey deuces, they could become dehydrated.

‘At the US Open, it may well be hot and, if you’re in the stands, it may not be easy to get a glass of water. At the same time, alcohol is a diuretic, which means it leads someone to lose more water through their urine.’

Sergi added that people attending may also not have eaten for many hours, another potential source of fluids, further raising the risk of dehydration, which can cause heat-related illnesses such as heat stroke or heat exhaustion.

An empty stomach also cannot absorb alcohol as well as a full one, leading to faster and more severe intoxication.  

Dietitians recommend consuming plenty of fluids on a hot day. The National Academy of Medicine says men should drive 3.7 liters of water per day, equivalent to 15 glasses, while women should consume 2.7 liters, or 12 cups.   

If urine is a dark yellow color or smells, dietitians say that is an indication that someone needs to drink more water.

So, overall, would dietitians recommend having the honey deuce at the US Open?

‘I’m certainly not discouraging people from trying the drink or trying to demonize it’ said Campas, ‘it’s a massive part of going to the US Open. Enjoy it! 

‘But it’s important for people to be aware of what they are drinking and the alcohol and calories that it contains.

‘Like with everything, portion size is the most important thing here.’

For Sergi, she said she would stick to the US recommendations and only drink one honey deuce while at the event.