on Mar 19, 2021 No Holi party is ever complete without a glass (or two) of chilled thandai. While there are plenty of readymade options available, nothing beats this homemade version. It does much more than just refresh you. Take a swig of chilled thandai and you’ll be awash with the feeling of cool deliciousness that will leave you craving for more!
What’s Thandai?
Thandai is a simple summer milk and dry fruit based beverage with lots of aromatics like rose petals and saffron added to elevate flavours. It’s super popular in North India and traditionally served during Holi – the festival of colours! True to its name, Thandai has a cooling effect on the body, and of course, the flavours are irresistible! Also check out: Irresistible Homemade Thandai Ice Cream
Ingredients in Thandai Masala
For those distinct Thandai flavours, you’ll need cashews, blanched almonds, raisins, melon seeds, poppy seeds, fennel seeds, cardamom, and peppercorns! The dry fruits make the drink thick and rich and add oomphs of flavour! Poppy seeds are notorious for their sleep-inducing properties (it feels gooood), and peppercorns cut through the sweetness and give the drink that hit of heat it needs. Grind these ingredients together to make a DRY semi-coarse powdery masala.
Cooking Milk For Thandai
Thandai is made with boiled and sweetened milk. It’s a simple process and not at all technical. Boil the milk and mix sugar and thandai masala so it gets incorporated well. Adding saffron gives it that unmistakable sunshine yellow colour! And don’t forget those few drops of rose water for a full sensory experience!
Tips to Keep In Mind
To extract the colours of saffron well, soak it in HOT MILK for a whileUse good quality nuts and dry fruits because they make up most of the flavours of thandaiIt’s important to extract all the flavours from the masala before straining it. With this method, we’ve ensured full extraction of flavours. So just follow my lead 🙂DO NOT grind the thandai masala with water. This is a dry powder like masala.Refrigerate this special holi drink for at least 3-4 hours, it tastes best when chilled
Get Creative!
Go all out while serving thandai and add your favourite toppings!
Add a scoop of ice cream on top and serve it like a semi-sundaeIf you’re a rose water lover and can’t get enough, go ahead and add a few drops of rose syrup. You can even garnish it with edible rose petalsYou can garnish this summer drink with chopped almonds, pistachios, cashews, and raisinsA pinch of nutmeg powder cuts through the sweetness and adds a toasty nutty flavourDuring Holi, it’s customary to spike Thandai with ‘Bhang’ or edible cannabis and chug it all through the party! Are you up for it??
Serve SUPER CHILLED thandai in matkas (tumblers made of clay) for your Holi partaaay!
Watch How to make Thandai Recipe Video
More Chilled Beverages for the Summer:
Apple Iced TeaWhite Wine SangriaCreamy Mango LassiChilled Cucumber SoupStrawberry Pepper Gin & Tonic
