FOR generations the Ashton family of Mandurama have poured their heart and soul into polo and it was the love of the game that spurred on the family’s latest business venture: cordial making.
Having spent years at the famous Millamolong Polo Club with her husband Andrew, the son of legendary polo player James Ashton, Melanie Ashton observed the need for a refreshing drink players and spectators could share.
Her answer: old fashioned, home-made cordial.
Melanie spent two years testing recipes and in 2013 she proudly launched Milla Cordials. The home-style brew is made in Orange from 100 per cent Australian ingredients.
“We’re a really funky gourmet cordial company that actively promotes Australian farming,” Melanie said.
The gourmet cordial is perfect for big and small people.
“Children love them and they also make for an excellent cocktail mixer,” she said.
“My favourite way to enjoy it is by mixing apple, ginger and rosella cordial with gin, a squeeze of lime and crushed ice.”
Apples from the Central West and citrus from the Riverina form the basis of their cordials as well as bush fruits from Northern Australia.
While it took time to perfect the first few bottles, business has galloped along for Milla Cordial. The sweet, bright bottles are now available in upmarket delis and cafes throughout the Central West as well as in Sydney and in Melbourne.
Since 2013 the product line has expanded from one flavour to four. It now includes lemon, lemon myrtle and kakadu plum cordial; apple, ginger and rosella; lemon, rainforest lime and lavender and ruby grapefruit and lemon aspen.
The Ashton’s cordial line has cleaned up multiple awards, too.
“We’ve been lucky enough to win five awards at the Royal Sydney Fine Food Show and last year we were finalists in Delicious. magazine’s food awards,” she said.
Milla Cordial is just one arm of the family-owned company Millamolong Australia. In 2011, following the sale of the Ashton family’s historic property, Millamolong Station, the company set out to reinvigorate its world famous Millamolong Polo Club and launch in to new areas.
All of the company’s ventures return a portion of the profit to local charities. Over the past two decades Millamolong has raised and distributed more than $250,000.
