These four mixed drinks, courtesy of Hornitos Tequila, will help make autumn a great season.

By Cari Jorgensen

September 23 marks the first day of fall. The season brings about cooler weather, the holiday season and a whole lot of pumpkin-flavored items. Hornitos Tequila has offered up four cocktails to help celebrate the season.

Blackberry Harvest

1 Part Hornitos® Reposado Tequila
Blackberries
1/3 Part Lemon Juice
1 Dash Angostura® Bitters

Preparation: Muddle four blackberries in a glass, combine remainder of ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain into the glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a blackberry.

La Man-Zana

1 Part Hornitos® Spiced Honey
1 Part Apple Cider
½ Part Lemon Juice
4 Parts Mexican Lager

Preparation: Combine all ingredients except Mexican lager in a shaker, shake vigorously, strain over fresh ice and add Mexican lager.

Honey Apple Twist

2 Parts Hornitos® Reposado Tequila
4 Parts Apple Juice
1½ Parts Lemon Juice
1 Part Honey
Lemon Twist

Preparation: Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, shake vigorously and strain over fresh ice. Garnish with a lemon twist.

Potion de Muerto

2 parts Hornitos® Black Barrel®
¾ part orange juice
¾ part lemon juice
¾ part chipotle agave *
2 dashes orange bitters
½ part beet juice

*Substitute agave nectar for chipotle agave if unavailable.

Preparation: Serve in a tall glass over crushed ice with a beet juice float – the beet juice will slowly float down the glass through the crushed ice, making it look like blood dripping down. Garnish with an orange slice.

Not quite ready for fall? Try these end-of-summer cocktails, courtesy of Martini & Rossi.

Martini & Rossi Bellini

2 parts peach puree
Martini & Rossi Prosecco

Pour peach puree into a flute glass.  Top with chilled Martini & Rossi Prosecco and serve.

Martini & Rossi Prosecco Sangria

3 cups Martini & Rossi Prosecco
¼ cup fresh squeezed lemon juice
6 large mint leaves
1½ cups sparkling water
3 lemon quarters
5 fresh strawberries slices
3 cucumber slices or ribbons

Combine lemon juices, mint leaves, sparkling water, lemons, strawberries and cucumbers in a pitcher. Gently stir in chilled Martini & Rossi Prosecco just before serving. Garnish each glass with a sprig of mint. Yields 6 servings.

To make the apple cider sangria shown at the top of this article, combine one 750 ml bottle of pinot grigio, 2.5 cups of fresh apple cider, 1 cup club soda, ½ cup ginger brandy, 3 honey crisp apples (chopped) and 3 pears (chopped). Stir well then refrigerate for at least an hour before serving.