GREY GOOSE Vodka Unveils Le Melon Ace as the Official Cocktail of the National Bank Open Presented by Rogers
As summer entertaining reaches its peak across Canada, consumers are increasingly seeking cocktails that combine refreshing flavors with premium ingredients and simple preparation. Responding to this growing trend, GREY GOOSE® Vodka has unveiled Le Melon Ace™, a Canada-exclusive signature cocktail developed in partnership with the National Bank Open presented by Rogers. Created as the tournament’s official cocktail for the 2026 edition, the new beverage is designed to capture the excitement of world-class tennis while reflecting the relaxed, social atmosphere of the Canadian summer season.
The launch marks a collaboration between GREY GOOSE® Vodka and Tennis Canada, bringing together premium spirits, seasonal flavors, and one of Canada’s most celebrated sporting events. Throughout this year’s National Bank Open tournaments in Toronto and Montréal, spectators will have the opportunity to enjoy Le Melon Ace™ on-site while experiencing top-level tennis. Beyond the tournament grounds, the cocktail is also intended to inspire Canadians to recreate the event’s vibrant atmosphere during backyard gatherings, watch parties, and casual outdoor celebrations.
Celebrating Summer with Seasonal Flavors
Le Melon Ace™ draws inspiration from memorable courtside experiences and the energetic social culture surrounding professional tennis. The cocktail combines the smooth character of GREY GOOSE® Vodka with fresh watermelon juice, lime juice, mint, and simple syrup to create a bright, fruit-forward drink that emphasizes refreshment without sacrificing sophistication.
Watermelon has become one of the defining flavors of summer menus in recent years, appearing in everything from beverages and desserts to salads and frozen treats. By incorporating fresh watermelon juice into its official tournament cocktail, GREY GOOSE® aligns with current consumer preferences for fresh, naturally vibrant ingredients that complement warm-weather occasions.
The addition of lime juice introduces crisp acidity that balances the sweetness of the watermelon, while fresh mint contributes cooling herbal notes. Together, these ingredients create a cocktail that is both approachable for casual drinkers and refined enough for premium entertaining.
Whether served during an afternoon tennis match, a weekend barbecue, or an evening gathering with friends, Le Melon Ace™ has been designed as a versatile signature serve that reflects the easy-going elegance associated with both summer entertaining and the GREY GOOSE® brand.
Official Cocktail of Canada’s Premier Tennis Tournament
The National Bank Open presented by Rogers remains one of Canada’s premier sporting events, attracting elite professional tennis players and thousands of spectators every year. As the tournament’s official cocktail, Le Melon Ace™ will become part of the overall fan experience throughout the competition in both Toronto and Montréal.
The partnership highlights how major sporting events are increasingly incorporating premium food and beverage experiences to enhance fan engagement. Rather than simply attending matches, spectators now expect immersive hospitality offerings that combine sport, entertainment, and lifestyle experiences.
By introducing an exclusive tournament cocktail, GREY GOOSE® aims to strengthen the connection between tennis culture and premium social occasions, giving visitors a distinctive beverage that becomes associated with the event itself.
Designed for At-Home Entertaining
While Le Melon Ace™ will be featured prominently throughout the tournament, GREY GOOSE® also envisions the cocktail extending well beyond the stadium experience.
Summer hosting continues to evolve toward experience-driven gatherings where simple but elevated cocktails play an important role. Rather than complicated recipes requiring numerous specialty ingredients, consumers increasingly appreciate drinks that can be prepared quickly while still delivering premium quality and visual appeal.
Le Melon Ace™ addresses this trend by using a relatively straightforward ingredient list while presenting an elegant finished drink suitable for entertaining guests. The cocktail is positioned as an ideal companion for tennis viewing parties, family celebrations, outdoor dinners, poolside relaxation, and neighborhood get-togethers.
Its vibrant color and refreshing taste also make it an attractive centerpiece for social occasions where presentation is nearly as important as flavor.
Le Melon Ace™ Cocktail Recipe
Canadians interested in recreating the official National Bank Open cocktail at home can prepare Le Melon Ace™ using the following ingredients:
Ingredients
- 1.5 oz GREY GOOSE® Vodka
- 3 oz fresh watermelon juice
- 0.75 oz fresh lime juice
- 0.75 oz simple syrup
- Garnish with three green grapes on a skewer
- Fresh mint sprig for garnish
Preparation Method
Begin by filling a 16-ounce glass with ice. Add the GREY GOOSE® Vodka, fresh watermelon juice, lime juice, and simple syrup directly into the glass. Stir thoroughly until the ingredients are well combined and chilled. Finish by garnishing with a skewer of three green grapes and a fresh mint sprig, creating a presentation that complements the cocktail’s fresh, vibrant appearance.
The recipe balances sweetness, citrus brightness, and herbal freshness while allowing the premium vodka to remain at the center of the drinking experience.
GREY GOOSE® Highlights Partnership with Tennis Canada
Aleco Azqueta, Vice President of Global Marketing for GREY GOOSE® Vodka, emphasized that the collaboration represents an opportunity to celebrate both Canadian summer traditions and one of the country’s most prestigious sporting events.
According to Azqueta, the National Bank Open has long been recognized as one of Canada’s iconic summer sporting occasions, making it an ideal platform for introducing a signature cocktail created specifically for Canadian tennis enthusiasts.
He explained that Le Melon Ace™ was inspired by both the excitement surrounding tournament season and the fresh, fruit-forward flavors consumers are increasingly choosing during the summer months. Bright, refreshing ingredients such as watermelon and mint provide a flavor profile that naturally complements outdoor entertaining and social gatherings.
Azqueta added that GREY GOOSE® expects Le Melon Ace™ to become a popular choice for fans whether they are enjoying matches in person at tournament venues or watching the action from home with friends and family.
Tennis Canada Welcomes Enhanced Fan Experience
Tennis Canada also views the partnership as an opportunity to elevate the overall experience for tournament attendees.
Rob Swann, Chief Commercial Officer at Tennis Canada, said the organization is proud to introduce Le Melon Ace™ as the official cocktail of the 2026 National Bank Open presented by Rogers through its partnership with GREY GOOSE® Vodka.
Swann noted that collaboration between the two organizations has been positive from the beginning, with GREY GOOSE® contributing innovative ideas focused on enhancing hospitality experiences at both tournament locations.
He described Le Melon Ace™ as a refreshing option for spectators looking to cool off during the summer competition while enjoying matches featuring many of the world’s top tennis players. At the same time, he highlighted the cocktail’s accessibility for fans who wish to recreate the tournament atmosphere in their own homes.
Swann also emphasized that the National Bank Open represents much more than a professional tennis tournament. It serves as an important driver of tennis development throughout Canada, bringing together athletes, fans, partners, and communities. Collaborations with premium brands such as GREY GOOSE®, he said, help create memorable experiences that strengthen the tournament’s connection with audiences across the country.
Bringing the Spirit of Summer Tennis to Canadians
Le Melon Ace™ reflects broader trends influencing both the beverage industry and live sporting events. Consumers increasingly seek experiences that combine premium products with meaningful social moments, while event organizers continue expanding hospitality offerings that extend beyond competition itself.
The collaboration between GREY GOOSE® Vodka and Tennis Canada successfully merges these evolving expectations by introducing a signature cocktail that embodies summer entertaining, premium craftsmanship, and the excitement of world-class tennis.
Throughout the 2026 National Bank Open in Toronto and Montréal, visitors will have the opportunity to experience Le Melon Ace™ firsthand as they enjoy one of Canada’s most anticipated sporting events. Meanwhile, the easy-to-follow recipe allows tennis fans across the country to recreate the official tournament cocktail at home, bringing a taste of the National Bank Open to backyard celebrations, watch parties, and summer gatherings all season long.
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