Hot toddies – by Claire Terry

Claire owns the lovely store on Cuba Street – Madame Fancy Pants. She makes jewellery, sings and is a super mum to wee Amon. Here are some of her fave things including where to get the best hot toddy from…

I adore Wellington! Yes that’s right.  Ok so, I don’t really like what the wind does to my hair (that’s why it had to go! Chop chop) but I do love the way it makes me feel when I drive in from the North or fly in over the hills and come home.  I have been in Wellington (or as Old Crow Medicine show said on there recent visit – Welintin!) for 12 years, sometimes, I think I should leave and discover new cities…but then I stop, think some more and decide…you know there is nowhere in New Zealand I would rather live.  The folk are friendly, you can walk from on end to the other, there are arty things to look at and great music to listen to.  I love that there are super cute wee cafés like Martha’s Pantry for a tiny cupcake and a cuppa and suave bars like The Hawthorn Lounge to keep your inner crooner happy with an old fashioned.

Recently I’ve been on the hunt for Wellington’s best hot toddy, they are one of my favourite drinks and I always have one before I sing…medicinal and boozey! Yum!  Hawthorn, Matterhorn, Sweet Mother’s, San Fran and Fidel’s have been the test subjects so far and I have to say (after extensive sampling) that dapper David from San Fran has it! Perfect.  I have to give points to Matterhorn for presentation and the variation of an orange slice – those big glass tumblers make me feel like a super star.  I feel that coming up to the winter chill I will be allowed more hot toddies! How exciting!

 Well that’s it for me, I’m off to keep uploading new goodies onto the MPF’s new online store, practice songs with my new super band for my gig at the end of the month at The Ruby Lounge .

xox madame fancy pants