So, summer is speeding towards us and I feel like we have been living under a rock all winter, busy with different projects, markets and the Farm Kitchen. It’s time to start having friends over and enter the world again. And since discovering the wonderful, flavoursome world of Milla Cordial , I’m a bit excited to kick off this new age of entertaining with a few fancy cocktails (and mocktails).
Milla cordial is the love child of the lovely and local Mel Ashton (above) and her buddy Camilla Strang. Flavoured with natural bush flavours, with no additives, preservatives or artificial flavourings; it is light years away from the hideous green and red cordial my kids always beg us to buy at the shops.
Mel and Camilla work with small batches and are proud that their products have a shelf life of months rather than years, “this is a living product,” Mel says, “the flavours are natural, fresh and that’s what is special about Milla Cordial”.
It seems that the world is fast catching on to just how special these cordials are with Millamolong Australia recently awarded medals at the 2013 Sydney Royal Fine Food Show; silver for the Lemon, Lemon Myrtle & Kakadu Plum flavour and bronze for the Apple, Ginger and Rosella.
I love both with with sparkling mineral water and loads of ice, mixed with soda water and a splash of gin (preferably locally-distilled Stone Pine Gin), or shaken into the gorgeous recipes below.
The Native
30mls Mezcal
30mls Milla Lemon, Lemon Myrtle, Kakadu Plum Cordial
Soda water
A few sprigs of mint
Combine mezcal and cordial in a tall glass over plenty of ice. Top with soda, and garnish with mint.
Rosella Gimlet
60mls gin
30mls lime juice
30mls Milla Apple, Ginger & Rosella Cordial
Hibiscus tea
Combine all ingredients in a cocktail shaker (or a large jar with a rubber seal). Fill with ice and shake hard for 15 seconds. Double strain into a coupe or martini glass. Garnish with a pinch of hibiscus tea leaves.
Both recipes courtesy of Ed Loveday from the Passage Bar in Darlinghurst, Sydney.
Milla Cordial is a sweet extension of the Millamolong Polo brand, well known for it’s polo-playing Ashton family and pastoral heritage. And those who went along to the fantastic carnival hosted last Autumn by the Millamolong Polo Club (about 40 minutes from Orange) will have probably come across this delicious beverage there.
By the way, this carnival is an annual event and a really fun day out, (plus our yummy venison pies are usually on the menu too!). Next year’s dates have already been for March 15 and 16th and all proceeds from the weekend go to charity, see you there!
Leave a Reply