Thandai is a popular North Indian drink made during Maha Shivaratri and Holi. It’s an exotic milk based drink with almonds, pistachios, peppercorns, fennel, cardamom, saffron and dried rose petals. On the occasion of Holi, thandai is mixed with ‘bhang’ to make an intoxicating drink. This spiced almond milk is a healthy drink to have especially during summers and its known to have cooling effect on the body.

Thandai is an important part of Holi, the Indian festival of colors. Seeing many thandai posts from fellow bloggers, I got tempted to try this thandai. I referred Sanjeev Kapoor’s recipe and made few changes to suit our taste-buds. The heat has cranked up very high today and this thandai was such a refreshing drink to cool down. Try this fragrant and delicious thandai recipe for this Holi.

Wishing all my friends and readers a a very bright, colorful and happy Holi..!!!

Thandai

Spiced milk with almonds, peppercorn, fennel, cardamom and rose petals
Servings 2
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 15 minutes
Resting time 2 hours
Total Time 3 hours 15 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 ½ cup full-fat milk
  • 3 tbsp sugar
  • Few strands saffron
  • Few pistachios chopped

For thandai masala

  • ¼ cup almonds
  • 2 tsp melon seeds
  • 3-4 green cardamom
  • 6-8 peppercorns
  • 2 tsp poppy seeds / khus khus
  • 1 tsp fennel seeds / saunf
  • ½ tsp dried rose petals

Instructions

  • Soak almonds in water for 1 hour. Soak melon seeds, cardamom, peppercorn, poppy seeds, fennel seeds in water for 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile boil the milk and add sugar. Simmer till the sugar dissolves. Remove from heat and allow to cool slightly.
  • Peel the skin of almonds and grind with melon seeds, cardamom, peppercorn, poppy seeds and fennel to a smooth paste adding water as required.
  • Add the ground paste, rose petals and mix well. Cover and refrigerate for 2-3 hours for the flavors to mingle.
  • Strain the mixture through a strainer and add saffron. Pour into glasses and garnish with chopped pistachios and serve chilled.

Notes

  • You can serve the thandai without straining too.
  • If you don’t have dried rose petals, substitute with ¼ tsp rose essence.
  • Cashewnuts can be added instead of melon seeds.
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: Indian

Did you make this recipe?

Leave a comment below to let me know how it turned out for you! Or snap a photo and tag @spillthespices on Instagram and Facebook with the hashtag #spillthespices.

Join the Conversation

  1. i love the flavors inside it.lovely drink and apt post sona:)

  2. Loads of flavour and a perfect drink

  3. looks so yumm and inviting dear….just feel like sipping it

  4. Flavourful and refreshing drink!! looks yumm!!

  5. Super that you have tried chefs recipe.Healthy drink

  6. We are still dunked in snow yet I can have a glass of thandai without any trouble 🙂
    I wish you had used something more lavenderish or pinkish for the background to match the rose petals.

  7. very refreshing drink.. Quite filling too

  8. beautifully served,looks yummy !!

  9. Rich and flavourful drink .. I like it with very little milk.

  10. looks perfect and wonderful clicks

  11. Looks delicious and refreshing!

  12. Wish I could grab a glass. delicious thandai..

  13. Superb clicks.. Refreshing and delicious drink..

  14. Anonymous says:

    Perfect drink for the occasion dear..looks flavorful

  15. Lovely cute pics.. Definitely a healthy and refreshing drink. Happy Holi to you.

  16. Never tasted thandai before and your pics look so tempting that I want one now!

  17. hmm… refreshing thandai.Holy is here

  18. I haven't tasted this drink before…very healthy and filling drink….

  19. Lovely drink…yummy..

  20. refreshing drink…….. yummy

  21. just love how the drink look against the red background! Have been reading through about this drink but haven't tried it… looks fantastic dear!

  22. Beautiful and flavorful one…. 🙂

  23. Superb drink have not tasted yet. Must be a delicious one!

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Like
Close
Spill the Spices © Copyright 2020. All rights reserved.
Close