Thandai recipe: Thandai is an Indian traditional, festive drink made with milk, nuts and exotic spices. A quick recipe that tastes heavenly. It is served at times of the festival Maha Shivratri and Holi. This beverage is very popular especially in NorthWestern states of India.
What is Thandai
Thandai comes from the Hindi word 'Thanda'. Which basically means something that is cold. Hence it is a cold, refreshing drink for summer. It is such a versatile recipe. Which can be tweaked in many different ways to suit someone's needs and preferences.
There are many other variants of this drink. A few common among those are Kesar thandai, Badam thandai, Rose thandai, Mango thandai, and Bhang thandai. However, the basics of any thandai recipe are always the same.
Benefits of Thandai Recipe
Thandai is the best cooling and refreshing drink that rehydrates the body instantly. The medley of ingredients used in this super drink has some amount of benefits for our body. Few among those are:
- Boosts immunity
- Works as an instant energy booster
- Aids digestion
- Cools down the body
How to make Thandai Recipe
Milk is the base ingredient in this. In addition to that almonds, cashews, pistachio, poppy seeds, fennel seeds, black peppercorns, rose petals, saffron, cinnamon powder, nutmeg powder, sugar are also used. The making process starts with soaking the nuts and seeds in water for a few hours. Then followed by grinding into a smooth paste. Finally, the process complete by mixing with the boiled milk.
This tastes best when served chilled.
Use sugar as per your requirement. To make it more healthy you can use low-fat milk and you can also use honey as an alternative to sugar.
For a vegan version just go for any plant-based milk as a base.
Generally, I make this whenever I crave for something milk-based drink. I love it so much. I can have it any day at any time.
It tastes best when freshly made at home. Though readymade thandai powder is easily available in the market. But it is always advisable to make it fresh to get the best benefits out of it and also you have more control over the ingredients. Here is how to make homemade thandai at home.
Few more Holi recipes you may also like
Thandai Recipe | Best Homemade Thandai
Ingredients
For Garnishing
Instructions
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Soak almonds, pistachios, cashews, poppy seeds, melon seeds, fennel seeds, and black peppercorns in water for 5-6 hours or overnight.
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Grind the soaked ingredients with dried rose petals into a fine smooth paste. Add a little milk if needed.
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Boil the milk in a pan. Once milk starts to boil add sugar and saffron strands. Simmer the flame until sugar melts.
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Add nutmeg powder, cinnamon powder, and the ground paste. Stir continuously and let it boil for another 2-3 minutes more.
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Turn off the flame and let it cools down.
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The best homemade thandai recipe is ready to serve. Serve chilled or as it is by garnishing with dried crushed nuts and rose petals.
Mayuri Patel
I've never thought of thandai as a healthy drink..just as a celebration drink. Good to read about all the benefits of thandai so that justifies why we tend to have thandai during the hot season as a coolant. Whenever I make the masala at home, I've not thought of adding cinnamon and nutmeg. Next time I will add them. Happy Holi to you and your family.
Lata Lala
Homemade thandai powder is a wonderful idea. It's such a cooling drink with multi uses.
Wonderful share.
Jayashree
Thandai makes a flavoursome drink and one of the essentials of Holi. Happy Holi in advance.
Geetha Priyanka
Awesome post Geetanjali. You've very well explained how thandai is healthy and perfect summer drink and not just associated with holi.
Ruchi
Beautiful share dear. Lovely write up. Very well explained how and why this drink is beneficial for body. Homemade Thandai is the best choice.. Amazing post
Jagruti Dhanecha
I always link thanadai glass with silsila song, rang barse 🙂 such a delicious drink with health benefits.
amrita roy
how beautifully you have explained the benefits of thandai… After applying the color of Holi, a glass full of thandai can make anyone cheerful
Avin
Supur duper recipe. It's one of my favourite drinks and it's that time of the year to make some😀
Sapna
I love chilled thandai on a hot summer day. Your thandai looks absolutely yummy and I would love to dig in that glass right now. Happy Holi dear
Swati
Cooling, refreshing , healthy and tasty, perfect for the festival time and coming summers. Very nicely explained benefits of the ingredients.
Vanitha Bhat
Can you believe I have never tried thandai before? My husband does not like the smell of fennel seeds, so never dared to make these! But, I will bookmark your recipe to make some day to savor thandai all by myself! 😀 Thanks for sharing dear!
Priya Srinivasan
I have never tried thandai before, looks totally droolicious! Perfect drink for the festive occasion! Love the pictures , looks tempting!
Pavani
This is my long time pending recipe to make. Thandai looks so delicious and refreshing.I am drooling over your pics.Happy Holi.