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Thandai

Serves 4
20 mins
350 Kcal
Thandai is another classic Indian drink which epitomizes refreshing flavours and a festive spirit, but it especially comes into the picture at the time of Holi or Mahashivratri. This aromatic drink is a great combination of milk and nuts along with a variety of spices; it is the favourite among those who want to quench their thirst with something or the other, which quenches their thirst and revives their spirits in the scorching heat of summer. The base for thandai is typically made from chilled milk, which is heavily flavoured by a mixture of crushed nuts, such as almonds, cashews, and pistachios. Thandai finds its exceptional flavour and aroma due to the consumption of spices like cardamom, fennel seeds, and black pepper, besides offering a multitude of health benefits. Quite many of these spices are anti-digestants and can calm the body. It is flavoured with and coloured with the addition of rose water or saffron. In a few of its recipes, a trace of sugar or jaggery was added to get an optimal balance of flavours in terms of both sweetness and creaminess. Thandai comes in many forms ice chilled to a thicker version with similarity to a smoothie. The beverage is often garnished with slivers of nuts or a sprinkle of ground spices for added visual appeal. Thandai preparation varies from house to house. Some buy thandai powder while others prepare it fresh along with all the active ingredients. Popularity and rich cultural significance make this beverage a favourite throughout India, perhaps for its mouth-watering taste as much for its refreshing quality. Through festivals or those hot days of summer, thandai is all about fun, festivity, and the essence of Indian hospitality.

Ingredients required for Thandai

  1. 50 gms almonds
  2. 30 gms cashews
  3. 20 gms pistachios
  4. 20 gms melon seeds
  5. 2 tbsp poppy seeds
  6. 1 litre milk
  7. 1/2 cup sugar
  8. 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  9. 1 tsp saffron strands
  10. 1/4 tsp black pepper powder

Cooking steps for Thandai

  1. 1
    First measure 50 gms of almonds, then 30 gms of cashews, 20 gms of pistachios, 20 gms of melon seeds, and 2 tablespoons of poppy seeds.
  2. 2
    Place all the measured nuts and seeds in a bowl. Pour just enough water into it to cover all the ingredients.
  3. 3
    Set aside the mixture for 4-6 hours or overnight. This way, it can affect an elementary softening action on nuts and seeds so that they can be easily crushed to form a paste.
  4. 4
    After soaking, drain off water from the bowl. Quickly rinse soaked nuts and seeds under running water to eliminate leftover flavour.
  5. 5
    Pour the soaked mixture into a blender or food processor. Add a little bit of water or milk for easier grinding.
  6. 6
    Grind the nuts and seeds until you reach a smooth fine paste. Scrape down the sides of the blender when necessary to get everything well mixed.
  7. 7
    Pour the milk Start pouring 1 liter of cold milk into a large bowl. Do not forget to chill it quite well, so that the Chandan, be it the powder or paste, infuses its refreshing qualities into the thandai, rendering this drink suitable for hot weather.
  8. 8
    Add the ground nut and seed paste that you prepared to the bowl containing chilled milk slowly and gently. Do not agitate the milk much while combining since this causes the milk to acquire a smooth texture. Mix slowly till you get a smooth paste spread in the milk.
  9. 9
    To the mixture, add half a cup of sugar. The sugar can be increased according to taste preference. Stir well till the sugar is fully dissolved in milk and the sweetness is well spread in the thandai.
  10. 10
    In the milk mixture, add cardamom powder 1/2 teaspoon, saffron strands 1/4 teaspoon, and black pepper powder 1/4 teaspoon. This blend of spices will provide aromatic notes and depth to the thandai, so it's going to be overpowering.
  11. 11
    Strain the Mixture: Now that all the ingredients havebeent well mixed up, it is time to strain the thandai mixture. Pour the thandai mixture over another big bowl or large pitcher through a fine sieve or muslin cloth. You would see smooth liquid dripping through while any lumps or coarse particles are left behind.
  12. 12
    Use a spatula or spoon and press down the mixture. This helps in letting the thandai fall through the sieve easily and giving it a silky-smooth consistency.
  13. 13
    Strained thandai can be transferred into individual glasses or even directly to a big serving pitcher.
  14. 14
    Garnish for Serving Garnish with chopped almonds and pistachios on every glass. Tossing in a few strands of saffron to top off will add such an amazing presentation to the drink, not to mention how luscious the drink will appear.
  15. 15
    Pop it into the fridge for a few more minutes. Or you can add ice cubes to the glasses before serving.
  16. 16
    Serve the thandai chilled. It is so refreshing to be enjoyed during summer gatherings or on festive occasions. Otherwise, the creamy texture and rich flavour can be a treat for anyone!

Shop Ingredients

Cardamom Powder (1/2 Tsp)
224
1
440
1
390
1
308
1
Pistachios (20 gms)
346
1
483
1
432
1
85
1
643
1
428
1
79
1
79
1
Melon Seeds (20 gms)
153
1
Milk (1 litre)
32
1
24
1
27
1
33
1
45
1
50
1
Sugar (1/2 cup)
80
1
47
1
58
1
239
1
55
1
101
1
85
1
50
1
225
1
291
1
Poppy Seeds (2 Tbsp)
241
1
235
1
245
1
266
1
Black Pepper Powder (1/4 Tsp)
152
1
170
1
226
1
Almonds (50 gms)
195
1
557
1
109
1
486
1
231
1
403
1
440
1
998
1
452
1
403
1
Saffron Strands (1 Tsp)
210
1
241
1
378
1
336
1
400
1
863
1
366
1
Cashews (30 gms)
267
1
296
1
579
1
116
1
115
1
451
1
637
1
133
1
280
1
465
1

FAQs

What is Thandai?

Thandai is a traditional drink from India that primarily consists of the mixture of nuts, seeds, and spices steeped in milk. "Thandai" literally means "cooling" in Hindi; it's just reflecting its refreshing quality. It is immensely savoured on special festivals, particularly during Holi and Mahashivratri, for both the taste and cooling effects. The drink usually comprises almonds, cashews, pistachios, poppy seeds, and spices like cardamom and saffron. So, apart from flavour, this drink also happens to be nutritious.

What is the health benefit of drinking Thandai?

Thandai is a nutrition-rich drink because of its amazing ingredients. Healthy fats and proteins are added by nuts and seeds, and above all essential vitamins and minerals, and the great antioxidant property spices add to it, including cardamom and saffron. It is a famous cooling drink people swallow in the blistering heat. Besides, thandai can soothe your digestive system and get you to a healthy spot due to the richness of nutrients. This is also one of the most energetic drinks as it tries to regain the energy of an individual by recharging himself after some physical exertion.

How can I customize Thandai?

Thandai can be quite adjustable.You can tweak the ingredients to your liking. You can use nuts like walnuts or hazelnuts, or fruits like mango or banana to give you that fruity flavour. To sweeten them, you could replace sugar with honey or maple syrup; black pepper or a hint of ginger will give you the spicier ones. For the vegan version, you can easily substitute milk with almond milk or coconut milk or any other plant-based milk.