The US Open is just weeks away and while we are looking forward to the games, there is more to the tournament than just tennis, with style and cocktails to consider. Today, we’re serving up both.
In addition to the famed Honey Deuce cocktail which is poured over ice at the US Open, the energy of each of the four Grand Slams has been translated into a signature cocktail for each tournament. There’s Wimbledon’s Pimm’s Cup, the French Open’s Ace Royal and the Australian Open’s Illusion Shaker. What better way to show your love for the sport than sipping on one of these beloved beverages after a match (while wearing your favorite L’Etoile, of course).
Whether you are stirring up batches of drinks for an at-home watch party or sitting courtside, here is the L’Etoile guide to the must-have sips and styles for each Grand Slam tournament. Game, set, cheers!
US Open: Honey Deuce
The Honey Deuce — named for its honeydew garnish and the sport’s deuce score — is one of the most beloved tennis cocktails. It is served as the signature drink of the US Open, garnished with spheres of melon that look like tiny tennis balls. According to Vogue, over one million of the cocktails have been stirred — not shaken — at Billie Jean King National Tennis Center since 2017. Perfect for beating the end-of-summer heat in New York, this drink is essentially a vodka-infused raspberry lemonade. The libation celebrated its fifteenth year of keeping stands buzzing in 2021 and is a crowd pleaser, thanks to a balanced blend of sweetness and tartness.
What you’ll need:
- 1.25 oz vodka
- 3.0 oz fresh lemonade
- 0.5 oz Chambord or raspberry liqueur
- Frozen honeydew melon balls for garnish
How to Make it:
- Chill a highball glass in the freezer for 5 minutes.
- Remove the glass, fill with ice. Add vodka.
- Top with fresh lemonade and then add Chambord/raspberry liqueur.
- Use a melon baller to scoop frozen honeydew melon into balls; garnish drink with a skewer of one or three (like with martini olives, tradition says that odd-numbered garnishes are good luck).
What to Wear:
Pairs well with our Fitted Tank with Built in Bra and our A-Line Tennis Skort, two sophisticated pieces that also keep you cool all summer long.
Wimbledon: Pimm’s Cup
First lauded as a health drink to aid digestion in the 1800s, this centuries-old British beverage has been a Wimbledon staple since 1971. Beloved by the masses and royalty alike — Prince Charles is a fan — Pimm’s is a 50-proof gin-based, botanical-infused liqueur. It is served in a glass dubbed the “No. 1 Cup” by the drink’s creator, 19th-century London oyster bar owner James Pimm.
Initially a favorite at garden parties, this low-alcohol drink is light, fruity and refreshing — and ultra-easy to whip up at home, with ample room for improvisation.
What You’ll Need:
- 1.75 oz. Pimm's No.1
- 4.5 oz. sparkling lemonade
- 2 sprigs of mint
- 1 thinly-sliced citrus fruit (orange, lemon, lime, etc.)
- 1 strawberry, sliced
- 1 cucumber, thinly sliced or cut lengthwise into ribbons
- Optional: splash of Ginger ale or Sprite
How to Make it:
- In a tall glass, combine the Pimm's, sparkling lemonade, several citrus slices, strawberries and mint. Chill for 10 minutes.
- Add several slices of cucumber and a handful of ice. Top off with soda if desired.
What to Wear:
In true British style, sip in the garden or at the club after practicing your serve in our Zip Front Knit Polo and Perforated Leather Visor.
French Open: Ace Royal
No French cocktail would be complete without a splash of Champagne. The Ace Royal, seen at the Roland Garros tournament, is bubbly, herbaceous and refreshing — plus it looks a bit like a tennis ball itself, thanks to the greenish hue from the muddled basil. It a bit of a faux pas to drink in the stands during the French Open —most attendees (the locals, at least) finish their drinks in the main dining area. You shouldn’t miss this fizzy number.
The summery spritz, which was crafted specifically for the event, has been served at the French Open since at least 2012, according to the blog Make Me a Cocktail.
What You’ll Need:
- 1 oz. simple syrup
- 1 oz. lime juice
- 5 basil leaves
- 2 slices of cucumber, thinly sliced
- Splash of Champagne
How to Make it:
- Muddle basil leaves, simple syrup and lime juice in a bulbous spritz glass.
- Add sliced cucumber; stir to combine.
- Top off with chilled Champagne.
What to Wear:
To really garner a few ooh-la-las, toss back after tearing up the court in our Knife Pleat Skort.
Australian Open: Illusion Shaker
While there is technically not a signature drink for the Aussie Open, the first Grand Slam of the year deserves a curated cocktail of its own and the Illusion Shaker is just that. The Midori-based drink made its rounds around Melbourne clubs back in the day, and its neon green color, topped off with a tropical pineapple garnish, neatly brings together the Australian sporting colors of green and gold. Toss it back as a shot and let the game begin!
What you’ll need:
- .75 oz. Midori
- .25 oz. Triple Sec
- .25 oz. Vodka
- .5 oz. lemon juice
- .5 oz. pineapple juice
- Pineapple wedges for garnish
How to Make it:
- Combine all liquids in a cocktail shaker.
- Add a handful of ice & shake.
- Pour into shot glasses.
- Top with pineapple wedges and serve.
What to Wear:
Unless you’re jetting off to Australia to catch the game, cozy up with an Illusion Shaker at home in our Racquet Sweater — just careful not to spill all that vibrant green!
