At the US Open, honeydew refers to the iconic Honey Deuce® cocktail, the signature drink of the tennis tournament. First created in 2007, the drink is made with Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, and raspberry liqueur and is garnished with three honeydew melon balls shaped to look like tennis balls.
Selling hundreds of thousands each year, the cocktail has become a massive commercial phenomenon at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Queens, New York. Because of its immense popularity, the US Open has even introduced dedicated “Honey Deuce Express” kiosks to keep up with spectator demand.
If you are watching from home, you can mix your own using the official Grey Goose Honey Deuce Recipe which includes 1 ¼ oz vodka, 3 oz lemonade, and ½ oz of raspberry liqueur, garnished with 3 honeydew melon balls. Click here for more details: www.greygoose.com/cocktails/grey-goose-vodka/honey-deuce.htm.
While honeydew is having a moment garnishing this popular cocktail, the melon is a sensation all on its own. A refreshing nutrient dense fruit, a 1 cup serving of diced honeydew contains about 61 calories, 16 grams of carbohydrate and 1.4 grams of fiber. Because it consists of over 90% water, it is excellent for hydration. The melon is also a good source of vitamins and minerals, specifically vitamin C, potassium, vitamin B6, folate, and magnesium.
Honeydew, known for its crisp texture and intensely sweet flavor, can be enjoyed in so many ways. Here are 10 ways to savor this delicious fruit to get you started.
- Freeze It. Make popsicles by puréeing honeydew with a little sugar and a splash of lime juice. Pour into molds and freeze.
Or use this Watermelon Ice Pop recipe and just sub out the melon.
- Drink it. Make a slushy with your honeydew by blending 2 cups of frozen honeydew melon cubes with the juice of 1 lime, 1 tablespoon of honey, a pinch of salt, and a splash of water or ice. Blend on high until perfectly smooth and icy, then pour and serve immediately
- Build a dessert. Place a peeled slice of honeydew on a plate. Pile on slices of banana and your favorite berries. Top with a scoop of low-fat frozen yogurt and a sprinkle of chopped peanuts for a scrumptious dessert.
- Boost a salad. Add melon to a green salad for sweet bursts of flavor.
- Make a salsa. Mix melon with finely chopped red onion, fresh cilantro, and a squeeze of lime juice for a fresh salsa that pairs well with seafood. Or try this Watermelon Salsa that includes honeydew.
- Make a fruit salad. Honeydew, cantaloupe, and watermelon mix well for a beautiful and delicious fruit salad. Drizzle with maple syrup and spice with shavings of ginger root.
- Kebab it: In a bowl mix low-fat yogurt, honey, and vanilla extract. Thread cubes of melon and other favorite fruit on bamboo skewers. Serve fruit kebabs with vanilla-honey yogurt dip.
- Blend it: In a blender, purée honeydew melon, sautéed jalapeño, honey, and white pepper. Pour into a bowl and refrigerate for at least 2 hours. Serve chilled.
- Wrap it: Wrap slices of melon with prosciutto for a delicious appetizer.
- Wash and Slice it: Enjoy melon by itself for a taste just the way nature intended.
When selecting honeydew, keep in mind that the fruit is harvested based on maturity and will not continue to ripen once picked. A ripe honeydew will smell noticeable sweet with a fruity fragrance, particularly near the “belly button,” which is located on the opposite side of the stem. The skin should feel waxy and the belly button area should yield slightly to gentle pressure. Look for a honeydew that has creamy yellow patches of streaks rather than a solid pale green. Finally, a ripe honeydew should feel heavy for its size, indicating a high-water content and juiciness.
Whether you are picking up a honeydew for a Honey Deuce®cocktail or preparing for a refreshing treat, don’t pass on this beautiful and delicious melon.
