THANDAI
Thandai is a refreshing traditional milk based Indian Drink that is quite popular during the Holi Festival. Made from spices, nuts, seeds and rose petals, its not only a cooler but also a nutritious drink.
Ingredients
Thandai Masala/Powder:
- 1 tbsp fennel seeds saunf, valiyari
- 4-6 peppercorns
- 1 tbsp poppy seeds khus khus
- a generous pinch of saffron kesar
- 6-8 almonds badam
- 8-12 pistachios
- ¼ tsp cardamom elachi
- 1 tbsp dried rose petals
- 1 tbsp pumpkin seeds
Ingredients for Thandai Milk/ Drink:
- 6-8 tsp sugar
- 4 cups cold milk
- crushed ice
Instructions
Preparation of Thandai Masala/Powder:
- Remove the seeds from the cardamom pods.
- Roast aniseeds, poppy seeds, cardamom seeds, peppercorns over very low flame till you get the aroma of the aniseeds and poppy seeds will begin to pop.
- Take the pan off the heat. Mix in the saffron.
- Let the mixture cool down.
- Put the spice mixture, nuts and seeds in a coffee grinder and process it into a fine powder.
Preparation of Thandai Milk/ Drink:
- Divide the powder between 4 glasses.
- Add the cold milk and sugar. Mix well.
- Add crushed ice and serve immediately.
Notes
- You can add powdered sugar to the mixture and keep it. I don't add it as I would like to use other sweeteners for diabetics and those who don't take sugar.
- If you prefer a slightly pungent taste add a few more peppercorns.
- Serve as a dessert. Instead of ice top it with kesar pista or vanilla ice cream.
- Store the extra masala in an airtight container in the fridge.