Thandai (Holi Special Drink)
Thandai is a cooling nutty and spiced drink made during the festival of Holi, the Indian festival of colors. It has a myriad of rich delicious flavors! The word "thanda" translates to cold in hindi. It's base is milk (you can use nut milk for dairy free) which is flavored with seeds, nuts and spices. While it is usually served chilled but you could have it hot as well.
PREP TIME
5 minutes
COOK TIME
20 minutes
INGREDIENTS
16
Serves: 4
Ingredients
- 4 cups4 cups4 cups Milk, Can substitute with nut milk
- 1 cup1 cup1 cup Heavy Cream (Whipping Cream), can sub with half and half or nutpods for dairy free
- 2 pinch2 pinch2 pinch Saffron
- 2 Tbsp2 Tbsp2 Tbsp Rose Water
- 0.25 cup0.25 cup0.25 cup Almonds
- 1 Tbsp1 Tbsp1 Tbsp Poppy Seeds
- 1 Tbsp1 Tbsp1 Tbsp Watermelon Seeds, optional
- 2 Tbsp2 Tbsp2 Tbsp raw Pistachios
- 2 Tbsp2 Tbsp2 Tbsp Raw Cashews
- 3 whole3 whole3 whole Brazil Nuts, optional
- 4 whole4 whole4 whole Cardamom Pods (whole pods)
- 0.5 tsp0.5 tsp0.5 tsp Ground Cinnamon
- 1 Tbsp1 Tbsp1 Tbsp Fennel Seed
- 0.25 tsp0.25 tsp0.25 tsp Whole Black Peppercorns
- 5 whole5 whole5 whole Medjool Dates
Ingredients for Thandai Powder (Masala)
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Process
Note, these instructions are written assuming the standard serving size, since you have modified the number of servings, these steps may need to be modified for best results
- Soak the ingredients for Thandai powder except for the cardamom, saffron, and cinnamon
- Grind all ingredients for Thandai powder together
- Boil 4 cups of milk, add the saffron
- Mix in the Thandai masala powder with a whisk. I like to add it to the hot milk as this gives it a better taste and let it boil for a few minutes, while stirring constantly.
- Add 1 cup of cream which is completely optional. You can substitute this with milk, half and half if there is no cream at hand or with nutpods
- Traditionally this drink is served chilled. But I love it warm depending on the weather. Right before serving add a couple of table spoons of rose water. Serve garnished with rose petals, saffron and pistachios.
Notes
This recipe can be made dairy-free and whole30 compatible by substituting milk with nutmilk and cream with nutpods
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About This Recipe
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Beverages Coconut Free Egg Free Gluten Free Grain Free Nightshade Free Pescetarian Shellfish Free Vegetarian| This is our estimate based on online research. | |
| Calories: | 1149 |
| Fat: | 106 g |
| Carbohydrates: | 37 g |
| Protein: | 32 g |
| Cholesterol: | 115 g |
| Sodium: | 142 mg |
| Fiber: | 4 g |
| Sugars: | 12 g |
| Calculated per serving. | |
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