Holiday Happy Hour: Dolce Cocktail Recipes to Illuminate the Season

Whether you're watching the ball drop IRL, throwing it back with a Roaring 20s-themed soiree, keeping it cozy with a quiet dinner party for friends or breaking out the board games and staying in, these four festive late harvest Dolce recipes will up the enchantment of your New Year's Eve toasts, however you decide to celebrate. Inspired by cocktails we've served at Napa Valley winery events throughout the years, these aren't your average wine cocktails! Silky and fresh, they're a brilliant way to illuminate the season.

Greet your guests at the door with the Dazzling Dolce, then go all out and create a full Dolce Cocktail Bar. If there's ever a time to go extra festive on the sips, it's New Year's.

The Sweetest New Year's Cocktail Bar

A Note from our Dolce Winemaker: "Late harvest Dolce lends an airy citrus blossom perfume and alluring butterscotch note to each of these variations on new and classic cocktails. If you're looking to mix things up this holiday season, these are four brilliant options for you! Pun(s) intended."

Dazzling Dolce

Ingredients

1 ounce St. Germaine

2 ounces Dolce Napa Valley

3 ounces Prosecco

2 tablespoons honeydew melon, diced

1 lychee fruit

¾ cup ice

Method & Presentation

Add honeydew and lychee to a champagne flute. Shake St. Germain, Dolce and ice until very cold. Stain into flute. Top off with Prosecco. Toast the season with this fragrant, festive aperitif!

Nickel Squeeze

Ingredients

3 fl oz Dolce Napa Valley

2 fl oz club soda

1 thick Meyer lemon wedge

1 cup ice

Method & Presentation

In a shaker, pour over ice. Squeeze lemon over ice, then add the lemon wedge to the drink. Add club soda, stir gently and pour into a rocks glass.

Dolce Mojito

Ingredients

3 fl oz Dolce Napa Valley

3 mint leaves

½ lime, juiced

½ fl oz simple syrup

3 fl oz club soda

1 cup ice

1 slice lime, to garnish

Method & Presentation

Muddle all ingredients lightly for about 20 seconds, then serve in a rocks glass with a slice of lime to garnish.

Dolce Sidecar

Ingredients

2 fl oz brandy or cognac

2 fl oz Dolce Napa Valley

3 Luxardo cherries

1 large tangerine wedge

½ fl oz simple syrup

1 cup ice

Method & Presentation

Muddle ingredients in a cocktail shaker for ten seconds. Serve either in a rocks glass with ice or strained into a martini glass with no ice.

Prefer your holiday wine un-muddled? For the Dolce wine purist, may we recommend pairing your favorite Dolce vintage with a salty-sweet blue cheese? We’re partial to creamy versions like French Saint Agur, aged English Stilton or, if we’re keeping it local, Point Reyes’ Original Blue. Add a drizzle of honey along with toasted walnuts for a savory crunch.

Want to give Dolce as a gift? Wine lovers will love unwrapping this elegantly boxed wine option!