Thandai Recipe

Thandai is a traditional Indian drink often served during the festivals of Holi and Maha Shivratri. It is a refreshing, flavorful, and aromatic beverage made from a mixture of nuts, spices, and milk. This drink offers potential health benefits, including aiding digestion and providing a cooling effect on the body during hot weather. The drink's name, 'thandai,' translates to 'something cool or cold' in Hindi, reflecting its refreshing nature and the relief it provides from the intense heat.

So, let's get started on preparing the popular Indian summer beverage 'Thandai' by collecting the ingredients listed below.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup full cream milk
• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust to taste)
• 1/4 cup almonds, soaked and peeled
• 1/4 cup cashews, soaked
• 1/4 cup pistachios, soaked
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 tablespoon melon seeds, soaked
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds, soaked
• 1 teaspoon fennel seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• 1/2 teaspoon rose water
• Ice cubes
• 1 cup water

Instructions:

1. Soaking Process: Soak the almonds, cashews, pistachios, black pepper, melon seeds, poppy seeds, and fennel seeds in 1 cup of water for 4-5 hours.
2. Blending Process: In a blender, grind the soaked nuts and seeds into a smooth paste, adding a little water if needed, and set aside.
3. Whisking Process:Add the thandai paste to achieve your desired consistency, along with sugar, to the milk in a large mixing bowl, and whisk together until the sugar has dissolved.
4. Chilling Process: Chill the thandai mixture in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours.
5. Serving Process: Before serving, stir the thandai mixture well and pour it into glasses filled with ice cubes.
6. Garnishing Process: Garnish with a sprinkle of chopped nuts, if desired.

Enjoy your homemade Thandai!