Thandai is a refreshing drink which is a popular Holi recipe and popular for Mahashivratri too. It has ingredients that nourish and cool your body and also make for a nutritious milk drink. You can make the mix and store in the fridge. Add cold milk to make it with this mix whenever you need.
Thandai is made with a combination of nuts, seeds and spices that are ground together to a powder. I normally make a larger batch and then add it to milk to have as a nutritious cooling drink especially in summer.
Here is how to make thandai, among my favourite Holi recipes.
Servings 10 glasses
Ingredients
- For the thandai mix:
- 15-20 almonds
- 15-20 cashews
- 2 tbsp. watermelon seeds magaj
- 2 tbsp. melon seeds
- 20 black pepper whole
- 3 tbsp. Poppy seeds
- 2 tbsp. saunf fennel seeds
- 8-10 Green cardamoms
- 1 cup sugar or as per taste
- Cold milk
Instructions
- To prepare the thandai mix, soak almonds, cashews, melon, watermelon and poppy seeds in a little water for about 2 hours.
- Grind them to a fine paste with a little water and keep aside.
- Now finely powder the seeds of green cardamom, black pepper, saunf and sugar.
- Add everything together with a little water to form a thick mix.
- Pour this mix to fill ¼ths of a glass. Add cold milk and mix well. Your refreshing thandai is ready to consume.
Recipe Notes
1. Thandai is quite tasty and is very beneficial as it has some really natural and cooling ingredients.
2. For Holi, you can add some bhang to the thandai for that added kick. Bhang leaves can be ground or added. They don't have any taste just a dark green colour and are an intoxicant. I generally avoid it.
Thandai Recipe for Holi
Ingredients
- For the thandai mix:
- 15-20 almonds
- 15-20 cashews
- 2 tbsp. watermelon seeds magaj
- 2 tbsp. melon seeds
- 20 black pepper whole
- 3 tbsp. Poppy seeds
- 2 tbsp. saunf fennel seeds
- 8-10 Green cardamoms
- 1 cup sugar or as per taste
- Cold milk
Instructions
- To prepare the thandai mix, soak almonds, cashews, melon, watermelon and poppy seeds in a little water for about 2 hours.
- Grind them to a fine paste with a little water and keep aside.
- Now finely powder the seeds of green cardamom, black pepper, saunf and sugar.
- Add everything together with a little water to form a thick mix.
- Pour this mix to fill ¼ths of a glass. Add cold milk and mix well. Your refreshing thandai is ready to consume.
Notes
Nutrition
Pictures
Store the remaining mix in the fridge and make thandai with cold milk when desired.
Some people mix saffron strands too for colour and taste. If you are doing so, immerse the strands in warm milk for sometime and then add to to the mix.
This thandai recipe is quite simple. Even your children will love it. Try it.
Do also try my other Holi special recipes like gujiya and dahi vada.
If you liked this recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating either on the recipe card or in the comments. Thank you.
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Shailaja/ The Moving Quill says
I always end up drooling at recipes like these because they look so good and cooks like you make them sound so delicious! Slurp! Summer is here!
Rachna says
I love sharing recipes that are so easy to make. Instead of buying that nasty bottled stuff, it is so much better to create these beauties at home especially when they hardly need any time. I hate slogging in the kitchen too. 🙂
Dagny says
Don't the almonds need to be peeled after soaking?
Rachna says
Yes, most people do that. But I leave the peels on.
Dagny says
Then I will too! 🙂
Rachna says
😀
shalzzzzz says
Cool! I'm going to try it soon. Thanks, Rachna! And I loved your blog. You have so many yummy recipes in here. Happy to follow you. 🙂
Rachna says
Thank you, Shalini. Nice to connect with you as well.
ellytreehugger AKA elly stornebrink says
That sounds like a really healthy and nutritious drink! 🙂 <3
Rachna says
It is, Elly. 🙂
nabanita21 says
Will try it out Rachna after my tonsils give me a break 🙂
Rachna says
Take care, Naba.
Bikramjit says
And another ingredient can be added for extra flavour bhang he he he..
But your version is the best version and so healthy tooooo...
Yummmmyyyy
Rachna says
Yes, Bikram. Bhang, of course. 🙂 We did add bhang to the one we made for Holi and for the first time ever too. But, this is what I normally make. How have you been?
Shilpa Garg says
Never knew that making a Thandai was so easy! Always have used ready made one. Will try this at home for sure now!
Rachna says
Do try it, Shilpa. 🙂