TREAT yourself this November. This is the month that seems to drag on forever, the clocks have gone back, it’s dark and wet outside and the shops are filled with Christmas items making you feel guilty you aren’t full of festive excitement yet.

The best way to overcome whatever the month throws at you is to have fun! Indulge yourself, drink that dram, mix that cocktail, hygge the heck out of November.

VISIT THE GIN SPA, GLASGOW

Possibly the best spa you’ll ever experience, The Gin Spa is an urban day spa, meaning it only has treatment rooms and a cosy relaxation area where the gin is served after your treatment. It uses a selection of Scottish botanical products from Edinburgh-based JustBe Botanicals, which are all handmade in Scotland using pure and natural ingredients. The botanicals used in the products match well with the gins served at the spa.

 www.ginspa.co.uk

The Herald:

HAGGIS AND WHISKY AT OBAN WINTER FESTIVAL, OBAN

Now in its thirteenth year, Oban Winter Festival is created as a community effort to help beat those winter blues through various festivities. On Sunday, November 26, Oban Distillery is hosting the Haggis & Whisky Festival which sees butchers across the country compete for the Golden Haggis Award. The Whisky Festival hosted alongside the haggis event offers attendees a chance to taste their favourite drams alongside the haggis pairings.

www.obanwinterfestival.com

WHISKY TASTING AT ABERDEEN WHISKY SHOP, ABERDEEN

Aberdeen Whisky Shop opened a new, inviting tasting room recently. What better way to treat yourself than a unique whisky-tasting experience? Go alone and meet like-minded whisky enthusiasts or gather your friends and book a table together. The menu has several tasting options with the choice of three or five drams.

 www.aberdeenwhiskyshop.co.uk

COCKTAILS AND MOVIE AT THE SCOTSMAN PICTUREHOUSE, EDINBURGH

Enjoy a luxury cinema experience at The Scotsman Picturehouse. Order yourself a Glenmorangie Old Fashioned, sit back and relax in cosy red armchairs. The Picturehouse features classic masterpieces, modern cult favourites and curated cultural content. Don’t forget to check the dinner deals too.

The Herald:

 www.scotsmanpicturehouse.co.uk

APOTHECARY EXPERIENCE AT LINDORES ABBEY DISTILLERY, FIFE

Make your own aqua vitae. The term was commonly used to describe distilled drinks, and translated from Latin it means "water of life". It has been claimed to help fight disease, to warm you inside and out, to support digestion and alleviate many other aches and pains. Used both as a medicine and an enjoyable libation, aqua vitae was typically distilled from wine; therefore, it is often linked to brandy. In Scotland, however, it was made from a malt base and is believed to be the first form of Scotch whisky. Basically, a perfect ointment for everything November throws at you.

 www.lindoresabbeydistillery.com/experiences

VISIT THE BIGGEST CRAFT GIN AND SPIRIT FESTIVAL IN SCOTLAND

The Gin to My Tonic Show (November 3 to 5) is not just about gin anymore. You’ll be able to enjoy unlimited tasting samples as you work the room, with a choice of more than 250 craft gins, rums, vodka and more. Chat with industry experts, join a workshop or just sit back and sip away.

Tip: Bring a bottle of water with you or make sure you visit the watering stations regularly. It is good to keep in mind you are sipping neat spirits, which can be as strong as 57% ABV (navy strength).

www.thegintomytonic.com/event/gin-show-glasgow

www.instagram.com/onthesauceagain/

WINTER COCKTAILS

It is finally the season for hot toddies – those warming drinks made with hot water, honey, lemon and a good measure of whisky ... although by no means do you have to limit yourself to whisky. Try rum, brandy or even gin.

SPICED HOT TODDY RECIPE

The Herald:

Ingredients:
50ml Lindores Abbey aqua vitae
15ml Lemon juice
15ml Spiced honey syrup (winter spices such as cinnamon, cardamom, star anise, nutmeg)
Dash of Angostura bitters
Hot water

Method: Simply mix all ingredients together in a mug and top up with hot water.

HOT GINGER TODDY

The Herald:

Ingredients:

35ml Whisky
15ml Ginger liqueur
Honey, adjust to taste (the liqueur will already bring sweetness)
Lemon wedge
Hot water

Method: Add hot water into a mug and mix in a little honey. Next squeeze some lemon, add liqueur and whisky. Stir well and serve immediately.

Tip: You can use this same template but change the ginger to orange or cherry liqueur. If you change the liqueur, note that you may need to choose a different whisky to match the flavour profile. For the recipe with ginger, I recommend using a whisky with sweet bourbon influence.