Around the world, vines are veritably dripping with grapes. It's harvest season, and that means it's the best time for you to get a little closer to your Cabernet. Ever wonder how wine is made? Ready to do a little tasting with your friends? Daring enough to try a grape stomp? Visit your local winery to learn by doing.

Each year when October rolls around, my body begins to crave things beyond my control: sweet, roasted pumpkins; warm, baked treats; And crisp, sparkling cider. For years I had dreamed of making my own hard cider, but never had the gumption to just try it already. But no store-ready cider is ever satisfying: they’re too sweet, too syrupy and far too expensive for what they’re worth. Finally, after an early autumn trip to a local apple orchard, I resolved to make my own hard cider. And surprisingly, it was easier than I ever expected it to be.

Here’s a fabulous fall infusion that’s ideal for twilight cocktail hours. Smokey whiskey, infused with sour cherries, fresh ginger and warm cloves, becomes something intoxicating far beyond just the alcoholic kick. Enjoy this autumn sipper alongside a romantic dinner date or night with the girls… or if you prefer, kicking back in Gramma’s rocking chair while the cool rain pitter-patters outside your window. This drink warms you through and through.

Autumn is a fine time to sit back, relax and crack open a bottle of vino to sip and savor as the days slowly grow shorter, the temperature cooler and the leaves more colorful. This time of year calls for rich and buttery wines that are strong enough to match the heartier dishes served to warm you up during cold weather. As summer’s busy energy slows into winter’s quiet snuggle, the ritual of a glass (or two!) of wine can be an ideal way to cherish the small, peaceful moments of life – and it’s guaranteed to put a smile on your face.

Vodka is well known and well loved for its ability to mix with an endless number of liquids, from tomato juice and fruit punch to tonic, lime and more. But vodka’s blank palette also makes it the perfect backdrop to paint with your favorite flavors: Fruit, spices, nuts, herbs and even bacon. Yes, bacon.

After a long, busy day there's nothing quite like pouring a tall glass of organic wine and kicking back as the relaxation sets in. Hate to be a buzz kill, but that vino may have more than just grapes in it. Many wines are refined and clarified with egg, fish bladder and/or gelatin to remove various particles, which is enough of a surprise to send your body back into that dreadful tense state. Fortunately, there are some alternatives that even the strictest vegan will toast to. Here are our top three recommendations you can sip fret-free.

Cleopatra believed that rose petals were an aphrodisiac. Whether or not that's true, the delectable perfume of a rose is synonymous with romance. Roses also happen to be the world's most popular flower, with 150 million plants sold each year. At this very moment, at least one yard in your immediate neighborhood is likely to have a blooming rosebush -- but rose season is on its way out, and now's the time to capture it in a bottle. Bring a few petals home to make a rosewater infusion; then treat yourself and your sweetie to a romantic sparkling cocktail on your next date night.

On a hot afternoon, nothing hits the spot quite like a cool glass of homemade sangria. Sangria is a wine punch: Part fruit juice, part spirits, and will satisfy the angel and the devil on your shoulders while cooling off your body and your brain.

Feeling daring? Kick off your weekend with a fresh-squeezed Salty Chihuahua. They say this cocktail was invented by a Mexican bartender in the 1940s. That may be true -- or it may just be a spicier knockoff of the Salty Dog, substituting tequila for gin. Whatever breed of bow-wow you decide to try, don't skip the salt. The unique mix of tart and savory makes this combination a classic.

What does a four-time Masters winning pro golfer have to do with timeless summer mixology? If your name happens to be Arnold Palmer, then the answer is simple: A whole lot. The golfer's renowned iced tea-lemonade drink is as classic as summer drinks get. Just two ingredients, mixed to a perfected ratio, served with a single garnish, and enjoyed with pure gratification. But contrary to popular belief, an Arnold Palmer isn’t half iced tea and half lemonade. Read on to learn how to perfect the Palmer, and a few summer variations to make it your own.