How the Honey Deuce took over the US Open

NEW YORK—Have you had your annual Honey Deuce yet? Wimbledon has the Pimm's Cup and the Kentucky Derby is synonymous with Mint Julep's, while the US Open is all about a pink drink decorated with three perfectly round melon balls.

The Honey Deuce is the signature cocktail of the US Open and is made with Grey Goose vodka, freshly squeezed lemonade, and Chambord raspberry liqueur, served over ice. The pink concoction comes in a tall souvenir cup that lists all of the US Open's past champions.

How did the Honey Deuce come to be the must-have drink in Flushing Meadows? Just ask Andy Lansing, the CEO of Levy Restaurants, the company that plans and executes all of the food and beverages at the US Open.

"You’ve got to start a tradition sometime," Lansing told Baseline. "The first year, we maybe sold 5,000 of them, and this year we’ll sell 250,000."

Levy has been the Grand Slam's hospitality partner since 2006, and introduced the Honey Deuce in 2007. Over 1 million Honey Deuce's have been sold  since, and this year, they've added a frozen or "frosé" option.

Levy is also the hospitality partner at the Kentucky Derby (as well as over 200 sports and entertainment venues including Wrigley Field, Barclays Center and Indian Wells).

"They will sell about 140,00 Mint Juleps, which is a stunning number," Lansing said. "It’s such an iconic item you have to get that if you go. So we said to ourselves, 'Why can’t we do that here?''

If you're still feeling thirsty after knocking back a Honey Deuce or two, there are many other tasty cocktails to enjoy around the grounds including the Roman Enoteca at Spiaggia (Grey Goose Le Orange, Aperol, lime, a splash of Aranciata Rossa soda and candied orange) and the Watermelon Mojito at Mojito by David Burke (Bacardi Oakheart Spiced Rum, watermelon, mint and lime juice).

Wake up every morning with Tennis Channel Live at the US Open, starting at 8 a.m. ET. For three hours leading up to the start of play, Tennis Channel's team will break down upcoming matches, review tournament storylines and focus on everything Flushing Meadows.

Tennis Channel's encore, all-night match coverage will begin every evening at 11 p.m. ET, with the exception of earlier starts on Saturday and Sunday of championship weekend.