The U.S. Open Has a New $39 Cocktail This Year, but You Can Make It at Home for a Lot Less

Published on August 23, 2025

It's officially tennis watch party season: The U.S. Open is serving matchups between top-ranked players starting August 24. Last year, one champion was a clear favorite—not on the court, but at the bar. The Honey Deuce has been the signature drink of the tournament since its creation in 2006, and you’d be hard-pressed to find someone in the stands who isn’t sipping on this lemonade and vodka cocktail. In 2024 alone, the U.S. Open sold over 550,000.

Social media’s obsession over the drink (and keepsake cup) certainly put the Honey Deuce in the hall of fame, but now it’s facing off with another signature cocktail—and it sounds extremely refreshing.

Meet the Watermelon Slice

The official hotel of the U.S. Open, IHG Hotels & Resorts, has created a brand new drink sold exclusively at the IHG Racquet Bar during the tournament (you may also be able to find it at certain IHG hotels, too). It’s just as summery as the classic Honey Deuce, with notes of watermelon, lime, and elderflower.

Part of the drink’s allure is the specialty souvenir cup it comes in: Served in a neon green wine glass, the top is decorated to look like a tennis ball—the perfect keepsake (and addition to a bar cart). The price point isn’t quite as palatable as the drink itself though: The Honey Deuce started a bit of controversy at a whopping $23, but the Watermelon Slice will cost you a grand slam of $39. 

How to Make the Watermelon Slice at Home

Unlike the Honey Deuce, the measurements for the Watermelon Slice cocktail aren't available. However, we do know everything that goes into the cocktail, thanks to a press release from IHG.

It starts with Moët & Chandon sparkling champagne, followed by elderflower liqueur. Add watermelon juice and a squeeze of fresh lime. Next, take a small slice of watermelon and cut a long slit down the center, fixing it to the rim of your cocktail glass.

The Honey Deuce uses more juice than it does spirits, but since the Watermelon Slice is a champagne-forward cocktail, you’ll probably want to opt for 1 part watermelon juice and 1 part bubbly. Add a shot of elderflower liqueur—you can adjust the measurements to taste—and about a teaspoon of fresh lime juice. 

It’s also easy to transform this cocktail into a mocktail: Opt for non-alcoholic sparkling champagne, sparkling cider, or even plain soda water. Replace the elderflower liqueur with elderflower simple syrup or an elderflower mixer.

It's unknown whether or not IHG will ever divulge its official drink recipe, but you can make a downright delicious imitation of the Watermelon Slice at home. The only thing you'll be missing is the bespoke tennis ball cocktail glass.