TURLOCK, Calif. —

Honeydew melons from Turlock Fruit Company in California's Central Valley are a key ingredient in a fan favorite cocktail at the US Open.

The Honey Deuce cocktail features lemonade, vodka, raspberry liqueur and the iconic honeydew melons.

"We're in the middle of peak harvest right now, and we ship honey cantaloupes and mixed variety melons. We've been in business for over 100 years," said Stephen Smith, president of Turlock Fruit Company.

The company’s "King O’ The West" brand honeydews are shipped to the U.S. Open, where approximately 8,000 melons are used to make melon balls for the cocktails.

Turlock Fruit is a family-owned business, now in its fourth generation, with roots dating back to 1918.

"We leave the melons on the vine maybe a little bit longer than our c

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