Holi Spice Cooler

Thandai is a traditional Indian festival drink that is popular during the colorful celebration of Holi. This refreshing beverage is made by blending a mix of nuts, seeds, and spices with milk, creating a creamy and aromatic concoction. The Thandai is then chilled and garnished with pistachios and saffron, making it a delightful and invigorating treat to enjoy during festive occasions.

Holi Spice Cooler

Thandai is a traditional Indian festival drink made with a blend of nuts, seeds, and spices mixed with milk, creating a creamy and aromatic concoction that is then chilled and garnished with pistachios and saffron.

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Prep Time 15 mins
Cook Time 15 mins
Total Time 30 mins

Ingredients

  • 1/3 cup almonds
  • 2 tbsp cashew nuts
  • 1 tbsp poppy seeds
  • 2 tbsp melon seeds
  • 2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 5 green cardamom pods
  • 3/4 tsp black peppercorns
  • 8 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
  • 1 1/2 cups milk
  • 3/4 cup water
  • 1/2 tsp rose essence or 1 tsp dried rose petals
  • Few saffron strands
  • A handful of crushed pistachios

Instructions

  1. Soak almonds in water for 2 hours and then peel them.
  2. Soak melon seeds and poppy seeds in water for 2 hours.
  3. Boil milk, add sugar, and allow it to cool.
  4. Grind the soaked almonds, melon seeds, poppy seeds, cashew nuts, fennel seeds, peppercorns, and cardamom with water to form a smooth paste.
  5. Add the ground paste to the milk-sugar mixture and mix well.
  6. Leave the mixture aside for 15 minutes, then strain it into a large bowl.
  7. Add saffron and dried rose petals or rose essence to the strained liquid and chill in the refrigerator for at least 3 hours.
  8. Pour into serving glasses and top with crushed pistachios, slivered almonds, and saffron strands before serving.