Holi Hues Thandai
Thandai is a traditional Indian drink enjoyed during the festival of colors, Holi. This refreshing beverage is made with a blend of almonds, cashew nuts, poppy seeds, and an assortment of aromatic spices, all mixed with milk and sweetened with sugar. The drink is then flavored with rose essence and saffron, providing a delightful cooling effect. Thandai is a perfect way to celebrate and stay refreshed during the festive season.
Holi Hues Thandai
Thandai is a traditional Indian festive drink made with a rich blend of nuts, seeds, and spices, mixed with milk and flavored with rose and saffron.
Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup almonds, soaked
- 2 tablespoons cashew nuts
- 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
- 2 tablespoons melon seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon fennel seeds
- 5 green cardamom pods
- 3/4 teaspoon black peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons sugar (adjust according to taste)
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 3/4 cup water
- 1/2 teaspoon rose essence or 1 teaspoon dried rose petals
- Few saffron strands
- Fistful of crushed pistachios
Instructions
- Soak almonds, melon seeds, and poppy seeds in water for 2 hours.
- Boil milk, add sugar, and allow it to cool once the sugar is dissolved.
- Peel the soaked almonds and place them in a bowl along with the drained melon seeds, poppy seeds, cashew nuts, fennel seeds, peppercorns, and green cardamom.
- Grind the ingredients into a smooth paste, adding 1/4 cup of water.
- Add the ground paste to the milk-sugar mixture and mix well. Let it sit for 15 minutes.
- Strain the mixture into a large bowl and keep the strained liquid aside. Strain the residue with 1/2 cup water into the same bowl.
- Add saffron and rose essence or dried rose petals to the strained liquid, and mix well. Chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
- Serve the chilled Thandai in glasses, topped with crushed pistachios, slivered almonds, and saffron strands.