The days are getting shorter. The nights are getting cooler. The time has come to install the storm windows, store the lawn furniture, put away your white trousers and flip-flops and prepare for chillier weather.

You may want to savor one more vodka-lemonade or strawberry daiquiri while performing the aforementioned tasks, but it's just about time to switch over to fall cocktails and we're here to help.

Feel free to try these recipes (in moderation, of course) while you enjoy the explosion of fall colors in Wisconsin.

THE RUSTY NAIL
The key to this staple cocktail is the Scotch. You can experiment with different types until you find a favorite.

Ingredients: 1 ½ oz. Scotch, ¾ oz. Drambuie, lemon twist garnish.

Preparation: Fill an old-fashioned glass with ice. Add Scotch and Drambuie. Stir and add lemon twist.

THE CRANTINI
This is a member of the Cosmopolitan family. If you want to get adventurous, soak some fresh cranberries or cranberry raisins (craisins) in vodka for an hour beforehand.

Ingredients: 3 oz. vodka, ½ oz. cranberry liqueur or cranberry juice, fresh cranberries or craisins for garnish.

Preparation: Pour the vodka and cranberry juice into a cocktail shaker filled with ice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled glass. Add cranberries / craisins for garnish.

THE HOT TODDY
There are many variations of this drink, but this is will please most football crowds. Most black teas and some green will work.

Ingredients: 1 oz. blended whiskey or brandy, 1 tbsp. honey, ¼ lemon, 1 cup hot water, 1 tea bag.

Preparation: Coat the bottom of a coffee glass with honey. Add liquor and the juice of the lemon. Make tea on the side as per instructions. Pour steaming tea into the honey-liquor-lemon mixture. Stir and enjoy.

THE PRAIRIE FIRE (Shot)
This one will warm you up in a hurry.

Ingredients: 1 oz. of your favorite tequila, Tabasco.

Preparation: Pour tequila in a shot glass; add drops of Tabasco to taste. Drink. It's probably a good idea to have a lime handy.

CARAMEL APPLE PIE
A fun drink for the season, but remember that the quality of your tequila will impact the overall taste.

Ingredients: 1 oz. tequila, ½ oz. butterscotch schnapps, 1 oz. apple cider, 1 tsp. lemon juice, apple slice garnish.

Preparation: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add tequila, schnapps, cider and lemon juice. Shake well. Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with apple slice.

CARAMEL APPLETINI
This tasty drink is also visually appealing. It's perfect for after trick-or-treating.

Ingredients: 2 oz. green apple vodka (UV is preferred brand), 1 oz. butterscotch schnapps, 1 Brachs caramel candy, 1 green apple slice.

Preparation: Fill a cocktail shaker with ice and add vodka and schnapps. Shake well. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass, drop in the caramel and hang the apple slice on the rim of the glass.

VOODOO
This drink can probably "cross over" to the summer list, but the Kahlua and butterscotch flavors make us think of fall.

Ingredients: 1 oz. Malibu rum, 1 oz. Kahlua, 1 oz. butterscotch schnapps, 2 oz. milk.

Preparation: Fill a rocks glass with ice, add alcohol and top with milk. Stir.

HALLOWEEN SCREWDRIVER
The key to this drink is acquiring some Blavod black vodka, which is perfect for the Halloween party circuit. If you don't have the orange-black mojo, it's just another screwdriver.

Ingredients: 3 oz. Blavod vodka, 3 oz. orange juice

Preparation: Fill a Collins glass with ice. Add orange juice and float the Blavod on top.

PUMPKIN MARTINI
This drink requires a bit of imagination. Since virtually nobody carries pumpkin schnapps any more, you'll likely have to substitute pumpkin spice syrup or pumpkin puree.

Ingredients: ½ oz. Baileys Irish Crème, 2 oz. vanilla vodka, ½ oz. pumpkin liqueur, pumpkin spice syrup or puree, 1 tsp. whipped cream, cinnamon stick.

Preparation: Pour the Baileys and vodka into a shaker filled with ice. Shake. Add pumpkin. Shake. Strain into chilled cocktail glass. Top with whipped cream and add cinnamon stick.

THE BLACK WIDOW
Another way to use up the bottle of Blavod black vodka.

Ingredients: 2 oz. Blavod vodka, 3 oz. cranberry juice.

Preparation: Fill a rocks glass with ice. Add cranberry juice and float vodka on top.