On this week's edition of Culinary Confidential, it's a courtside conversation blending in tennis with taste and talent.

Christina Cates welcomes hospitality legend Nick Mautone, the creative force behind the US Open's official cocktail - The Honey Deuce. Made with Grey Goose vodka, lemonade, raspberry liqueur, and honeydew melon balls made to resemble tennis balls, this viral drink has generated $12 million in sales in 2024.

Nick's career spans over 40 years - from leadership roles at iconic venues like the Rainbow Room and Gramercy Tavern, to the launch of his consulting firm, Mautone Enterprises. He's also the author of Raising the Bar and The Artisanal Kitchen series.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.