Honey deuces have been around since at least 1776.
They were originally known as “honeysuckle cups” because they contained hibiscus tea.
Today the honey deuce is most commonly served after football games or sporting events.
The honey deuce has many different names.
It may be called an old-fashioned, a daiquiri, a daisy, or even a dirty martini.
But no matter what it’s called, it is always delicious!
In this article we will explore how to make a honey deuce.
We will also learn more about its history and see if there are any health benefits associated with drinking one.
Let’s get started!
1.What Is A Honey Deuce?
A honey deuce is a cocktail consisting of equal parts vodka, fresh squeezed lemon juice, simple syrup, and honeydew melon (a kind of cantaloupe).
The ingredients are mixed together over ice and strained into a chilled glass.
There are several recipes for the honey deuce on the internet.
Many people like to add rum, but that isn’t necessary. Some prefer mint instead of lime juice.
Others use other fruits such as strawberries and pineapple.
You can find all sorts of ways to customize your honey deuce depending on personal taste preferences.
One thing you won’t change is the combination of alcohol, citrus fruit, and sweetener.
Ingredients
- Vodka
- Lemon juice
- Simple syrup
- Honeydew melon
- Ice cubes
Instructions
To begin making your own honey deuce, you need to gather your ingredients.
For example, you could buy a bottle of vodka, mix up a batch of lemon juice, and then combine them both in a large pitcher.
Or you could purchase a ready-made honey deuce from the grocery store.
Either way, here’s what you do next:
First, pour out half the amount of vodka needed into a small container.
Then fill the rest of the space in the pitcher with water.
Next, squeeze the lemon juice directly into the bowl containing the vodka and stir well to dissolve.
Add the simple syrup and stir again until everything is combined.
Finally, strain the mixture through a mesh strainer so that only liquid remains in the pitcher.
Now that you have all your ingredients prepared, it’s time to move onto mixing the honey deuce.
To do this, start by adding the honeydew melon to the pitcher.
Next, add the remaining vodka and stir thoroughly until everything is evenly distributed throughout the mixture.
Finally, cover the whole thing with ice cubes and shake vigorously until everything is cold enough to enjoy.
Serve immediately in a chilled glass.
2.What’s In A Honey Deuce?
There are many different types of honey deuces on the market today.
Some contain rum, while others don’t.
There are even those that call themselves honey deuces but actually only contain orange juice (instead of real fruit).
You might find a honey deuce that contains pineapple juice too!
But regardless of which type you choose, all honey deuces are usually sweetened with sugar.
And the usual ingredients include water, vodka, simple syrup (or corn syrup), fresh lime juice, and honeydew melon.
Some recipes call for grenadine instead of simple syrup, but grenadine isn’t necessary.
The only exception would be if your honey deuce calls for a splash of Bacardi 151 or other dark rum.
One thing to note though: honey deuces aren’t meant to be mixed drinks like cocktails.
Instead, honey deuces should be enjoyed straight up.
3.How Do You Make A Honey Deuce?
You will need these ingredients for your honey deuce recipe:
(1) 1/2 cup sugar (brown or white)
(2) 3 tablespoons lime juice (freshly squeezed)
(3) 2 ounces of vodka
(4) 1 ounce honeydew melon puree* (*This is available at Whole Foods Market.)
(5) 1 teaspoon freshly grated ginger root
(6) 1 pinch ground nutmeg
Now let’s prepare our honey deuce.
First pour all of the liquid into a shaker bottle, add ice cubes, shake well until chilled, then strain into an 8 oz glass filled halfway full with crushed ice.
4.How Do You Serve A Honey Deuce?
A honey deuce is typically served chilled in tall glasses over ice cubes.
You can garnish your honey deuce with slices of fresh fruit such as strawberries, pineapple, orange segments, kiwi, raspberries, etc.
Some people prefer their honey deuce on the rocks while others enjoy theirs neat (straight up).
If you like yours straight up then the best way to chill it is by adding crushed ice directly into the glass.
5.What Is The Origin Of The Honey Deuce?
It was first created by the British military during WWI.
Soldiers would often take their time off from fighting during World War I so that they could enjoy themselves instead.
The soldiers found that the combination of lemon juice, sugar syrup, and rum tasted great when mixed together.
They then began taking these drinks on the front lines where they were very successful.
A few years later, American troops used the same mixture to create a new type of beverage.
Instead of using rum, they added gin.
And instead of mixing it up into a cocktail, they simply poured it straight out of the bottle.
6.How Popular Is The Honey Deuce?
A honey deuce typically contains 1 part white rum (or other hard liquor), 2 parts sour mix, 3 parts fresh squeezed lime juice, ½ cup simple syrup, and ice cubes.
The ratio is usually 3 ounces per person but can vary depending on personal preference.
Many people enjoy making their own honey deuce by adding honey, fruit liqueur, and/or ginger ale instead of using vodka.
Some people like to add a splash of bitters or orange blossom water to give their honey deuce a unique flavor.
7.Is The Honey Deuce Healthy?
Drinking the honey deuce doesn’t seem like a bad idea.
You’ll find that it tastes great and isn’t too sweet either.
However, it could still contain alcohol which might not be good for your body.
If you want a healthier alternative, try making a sugar free version of the honey deuce by substituting agave nectar for the honey.
Sugar Free Honey Deuce Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/4 cup Agave Nectar (or other natural sweetener)
- Juice from 1/2 lime
- 1 part rum or brandy
- Lemon juice
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients together in shaker bottle.
- Shake well before serving.
8.What Are Some Variations Of The Honey Deuce?
If you want to try something new, you might like to experiment with these recipes and drinks that include honey deuces.
Here are some examples:
- Mocktail Honey Deuce (also called the Bitter Lemon)
- Sangria Honey Deuce
- Strawberry Honey Deuce
- Lemonade Honey Deuce
- Pineapple Honey Deuce
- Ginger Honey Deuce
- Watermelon Honey Deuce Recipe
1. Mocktail Honey Deuce
This mocktail uses fresh mint leaves instead of hibiscus tea and adds lime juice to give it a tart taste.
The result is a sweet and tangy cocktail perfect for summertime occasions.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces water
- ½ ounce Simple Syrup
- ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
- Juice from 1 lime wedge
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients except ice in shaker glass filled with ice and shake well.
- Strain into serving glass filled with ice.
2. Sangria Honey Deuce
A sangria is traditionally made with red wine but here the classic beverage gets a fruity twist by adding honey dew melon.
You can use either real or frozen honey dew melons to create this tasty cocktail.
Ingredients:
- 12 ounces dry white wine (such as Pinot Grigio)
- 6 tablespoons sugar
- ⅓ cup orange liqueur such as Cointreau
- ⅓ cup brandy
- ¾ cup pineapple juice
- 5 teaspoons honey dew melon fruit purée
- Fresh mint sprigs for garnish
Instructions:
- Combine first six ingredients in large pitcher, stir well, then add remaining ingredients. Refrigerate until ready to serve.
3. Strawberry Honey Deuce
When strawberries are in season, this strawberry honey deuce is a great way to enjoy their sweetness.
If you don\u2019t have strawberries handy, just leave them out altogether.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces sour mix
- 1 ½ ounces simple syrup
- 2 ounces ginger beer
- ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 pint strawberries, hulled and sliced
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Place 3/4 cup strawberries in blender along with sour mix, simple syrup, ginger beer, and vanilla extract. Blend until smooth.
- Fill 2 tall glasses half full with ice.
- Add 1/2 cup strawberry mixture to each glass.
- Top off each glass with additional ice.
- Garnish with a slice of strawberry on top of each drink.
4. Pineapple Honey Deuce
You can find canned pineapple slices in the refrigerated section of your supermarket or you can buy fresh pineapple chunks and cut them yourself.
Either way, the end result should be very similar.
Ingredients:
- 2 ounces pineapple juice
- 1 tablespoon honey
- 1 teaspoon grenadine
- Dash of bitters
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Combine pineapple juice, honey, grenadine, and bitters in mixing glass.
- Add ice cubes and shake vigorously.
- Strain over another glass filled with ice cubes.
5. Lemonade Honey Deuce
For those who prefer a nonalcoholic version of the honey deuce, this lemonade variation contains only natural flavors.
You can substitute other citrus juices including grapefruit.
Ingredients:
- 4 ounces freshly squeezed lemon juice
- 2 lemons, juiced
- 2 cups bottled club soda
- 1 tablespoon honey
- Ice cubes
Instructions:
- Combine lemon juice, lemons, and honey in a small bowl. Mix well.
- Add ice cubes and club soda to a large glass.
- Pour lemon mixture into glass. Serve immediately.
6. Ginger Honey Deuce
It seems almost too easy to make a good ginger honey deuce.
Just combine ginger ale, honey, and ginger root together and let sit overnight.
Once done, strain through cheesecloth and serve cold.
Feel free to change up the spices used in this recipe.
Ingredients:
- 16 ounces ginger ale
- 1 ½ cups granulated sugar
- 1 ½ tablespoons ground ginger
- ¼ teaspoon cinnamon
- ⅛teaspoon cloves
- ¼teaspoon nutmeg
- ¼teaspoon salt
- Ground ginger, cinnamon stick, and clove pods
Instructions:
- Combine ginger ale, sugar, spices, and salt in a medium saucepan over low heat.
- Simmer 10 minutes until thickened slightly.
- Remove from heat and cool completely before straining through cheesecloth.
- Store in refrigerator until ready to serve.
9.What Are Some Common Complaints About The Honey Deuce?
Many people complain that honey deuces aren’t very good.
Some believe that they should contain more alcohol than just 1/3 cup (80ml).
Others think that adding too much sugar ruins the taste.
And others claim that they don’t like the way they feel when they drink them – either on their stomach or head.
Some people say that honey deuces aren’t sweet enough.
Others prefer the taste of rum over whiskey, while still others find white wine to be better than red.
There are lots of different ways to enjoy your honey deuce.
If you want something sweeter, try using agave syrup instead of plain honey.
You could also add fresh mint leaves to give it a tangy flavor.
Or, use pineapple juice instead of lemonade.
Your favorite soda water would work well as well.
10.How Can I Improve My Honey Deuce Recipe?
Here are some tips that might help your honey deuce taste better:
Use freshly squeezed lemons instead of bottled juice
If you use bottled juice, squeeze fresh lemons right before serving.
Add ice cubes to increase the volume of your cocktail
Instead of using just water, add 1/4 cup (60 ml) of club soda.
Try adding mint leaves
You don’t need to use fresh mint when making a honey deuce.
You can substitute dried mint for the fresh mint.
Use a muddler
A muddler is used to mix ingredients together.
To make a good honey deuce, gently crush the fruit using a wooden spoon and then strain out all of the pulp.
Ingredients
- 1 1/4 ounces vodka
- Lemonade chilled, to top
- 1/2 ounce Chambord
- Garnish: 4 skewered honeydew melon balls
Instructions
- Crushed ice should be added to a chilled highball glass before vodka.
- Add the Chambord after topping with lemonade up to the rim.
- Add honeydew melon balls as a garnish.
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My blog is all about creating delicious meals with ingredients that are easy to find in your local grocery store. I’m passionate about making yummy meals that I can share with my friends and family.