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    You are here: Home / Sharmis Passions / Thandai Powder

    Thandai Powder

    Last Updated On: Mar 20, 2025 by Sharmilee J

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    Thandai Powder is a versatile spice mix used to make thandai instantly. If you want to make thandai but don’t have the time to soak and grind then this instant thandai powder comes handy. Learn to make Thandai Powder with step by step pictures and video.

    thandai powder in a bowl

    Thandai Powder is quick to make with the flavors of cardamom, pepper, saffron and fennel seeds. It is prepared with aromatic spices which makes the drink more flavorful and tasty. Do try and enjoy making thandai in 5 minutes using this homemade instant thandai powder.

    Jump to:
    • About Thandai Powder
    • Thandai Powder Video
    • Thandai Powder Ingredients
    • How to make Thandai Powder Step by Step
    • Expert Tips
    • Serving and Storage
    • FAQS
    • 📖 Recipe Card

    About Thandai Powder

    Thandai powder is great to flavor milk or even in your desserts. Thandai is one of the drinks made for Holi festival. This is one of the healthy flavoring you can opt for kids. I am sure they will love it.

    Traditionally thandai is made by soaking nuts, spices and grinding them which is a bit time consuming. Thandai can be made in just few minutes if you have this homemade thandai powder. Once you have the thandai mix ready just mix it with chilled milk and your thandai is ready.

    Homemade Thandai Powder vs Store bought Thandai Powder

    Homemade thandai powder is free from artificial colors, flavoring and preservatives. Also you know exactly what ingredients goes in the making so homemade is more healthier. You can make in small or big batches as and when required.

    Store bought thandai powder is loaded with preservatives which is not a good option if you are looking for a healthy thandai mix.

    thandai powder in a bowl

    Thandai Powder Video

    Thandai Powder Ingredients

    • Nuts – Cashews, Almonds, Pistachios and Melon seeds are used for making thandai powder.
    • Spices – Spices are the main ingredients that gives great flavor to thandai powder. Spices like cardamom, fennel seeds, saffron, black pepper are used to make thandai powder.
    • Sweetener – I have used white sugar here which is most commonly used to make thandai and thandai mix. But alternatively you can use jaggery powder or cane sugar or brown sugar too etc.
    ingredients needed to make thandai powder

    Similar Recipes

    • Thandai
    • Thandai syrup
    • More holi recipes

    How to make Thandai Powder Step by Step

    1.To a mixer jar first add 1/8 cup fennel seeds, 5 cardamom, 10 pepper corns and half of 1/4 cup sugar.

    add spices

    2.Grind it to a fine powder then add to a sieve.

    grind and sieve

    3.Sieve it well. Discard the remains or add it to tea powder mix for making masala chai.

    sieve well

    4.Sieved mixture is ready, Set aside for later use.

    sieved mixture

    5.Now to the same mixer jar, add 1/4 cup almonds, 1/8 cup cashews, 1/8 cup pistachios, 1/8 cup melon seeds, remaining sugar and 10 strands saffron. Nuts are there hence be careful while grinding as it might let out oil easily.

    add nuts

    6.Grind it as fine as possible. Do not grind more otherwise it might form lumps and leave oil from nuts.

    grind it fine

    7.Add it to the sieved mixture.

    add to sieved mixture

    8.Mix it well. Store in clean, dry airtight container.

    mix it well

    9.This prepared mixture can be used for 4 cups of milk. Here I have used 2 cups milk so added half of thandai powder to it. Boil milk well, cool down then chill it.

    prepare chilled milk

    10.Add to chilled milk. I used boiled, cooled and chilled milk.

    add to chilled milk

    11.Mix it well. Instant thandai ready. Serve chilled!

    mix well

    Thandai mix and thandai ready!

    thandai served in a glass

    Expert Tips

    • Add little more sugar than we usually add as for chilled milk sugar is needed more than usual.
    • Adding cashews is optional but I prefer adding it.
    • You can add dried rose petals if you like the flavor. Instead you can even add rose essence to chilled milk while serving.
    • You can even add even gulkand and rose essence.
    • I have not used poppy seeds, rose petals in this recipe but if you want you can add 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon dried rose petals while grinding the spices.

    Serving and Storage

    Store the prepared thandai powder in an airtight jar. It keeps well in room temperature for 3-5 days after that I recommend to keep it refrigerated which increase shelf life up to 3 months. Use a clean dry spoon every time.

    Boil milk, add prepared thandai powder mix well and serve hot if preferred or chill the drink and serve. Thandai is commonly served chilled.

    FAQS

    1.What is Thandai Powder?

    Thandai is a special spiced beverage made for Holi festival. Thandai Powder is a spice mix used to make thandai instantly. Traditionally thandai is made by soaking and grinding nuts. If you want to make thandai but don’t have the time to soak and grind then this instant thandai powder comes handy.

    2.Is it a must to use rose petals for thandai powder?

    No not at all, it is an optional ingredient. You can make thandai powder without rose petals also. Rose petals are added to give a nice flavor you can alternatively add rose essence to chilled milk while serving to get the exact flavor. I wouldn’t recommend using rose petals if you plan to store the thandai powder for long as it gives a not so pleasant smell if stored for a long time. So I suggest to add rose petals as garnish while serving or use rose essence instead.

    3.What is thandai powder used for other than making thandai?

    You can use it as a flavoring powder for beverages or making lassi, popsicle etc. You can use it to sprinkle as a garnish for desserts.

    4.Can I make thandai powder without poppy seeds?

    Yes definitely! Poppy seeds is banned in many regions and is not readily available in all the stores. It is available in India however I usually do not add poppy seeds while making thandai powder at times add it(only if I have it in stock) when making the traditional thandai. You can skip it too and it does not make much difference in taste.

    thandai powder in a bowl

    If you have any more questions about this Thandai Powder Recipe do mail me at sharmispassions@gmail.com. In addition, follow me on Instagram, Facebook, Pinterest ,Youtube and Twitter .

    Tried this Thandai Powder Recipe? Also do let me know how you liked it. Also tag us on Instagram @sharmispassions and hash tag it on #sharmispassions.

    📖 Recipe Card

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    Thandai Powder Recipe

    Thandai Powder is a versatile spice mix used to make thandai instantly. If you want to make thandai but don’t have the time to soak and grind then this instant thandai powder comes handy. Learn to make Thandai Powder with step by step pictures and video.
    Prep Time10 minutes mins
    Total Time10 minutes mins
    Servings4 servings
    AuthorSharmilee J

    Ingredients

    • 1/4 cup sugar
    • 1/4 cup almonds
    • 1/8 cup cashews
    • 1/8 cup pistachios
    • 1/8 cup melon seeds
    • 10 teaspoon pepper corns
    • 1/8 cup fennel seeds
    • 5 cardamom
    • 10 strands saffron

    Instructions

    • To a mixer jar first add 1/8 cup fennel seeds, 5 cardamom, 10 pepper corns and half of 1/4 cup sugar.
    • Grind it to a fine powder then add to a sieve.
    • Sieve it well. Discard the remains or add it to tea powder mix for making masala chai.
    • Sieved mixture is ready, Set aside for later use.
    • Now to the same mixer jar, add 1/4 cup almonds, 1/8 cup cashews, 1/8 cup pistachios, 1/8 cup melon seeds, remaining sugar and 10 strands saffron. Nuts are there hence be careful while grinding as it might let out oil easily.
    • Grind it as fine as possible. Do not grind more otherwise it might form lumps and leave oil from nuts.
    • Add it to the sieved mixture.
    • Mix it well. Store in clean, dry airtight container.
    • This prepared mixture can be used for 4 cups of milk. Here I have used 2 cups milk so added half of thandai powder to it. Boil milk well, cool down then chill it.
    • Add to chilled milk. I used boiled, cooled and chilled milk.
    • Mix it well. Instant thandai ready. Serve chilled!
    • Thandai mix and thandai ready!

    Video

    Notes

    • Add little more sugar than we usually add as for chilled milk sugar is needed more than usual.
    • Adding cashews is optional but I prefer adding it.
    • You can add dried rose petals if you like the flavor.
    • Instead you can even add rose essence to chilled milk while serving.
    • You can even add even gulkand and rose essence.
    • I have not used poppy seeds, rose petals in this recipe but if you want you can add 1 teaspoon poppy seeds, 1 teaspoon dried rose petals while grinding the spices.
    Nutrition Facts
    Thandai Powder Recipe
    Amount Per Serving (40 g)
    Calories 172 Calories from Fat 81
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 9g14%
    Saturated Fat 1g6%
    Trans Fat 0.003g
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 5g
    Sodium 8mg0%
    Potassium 264mg8%
    Carbohydrates 22g7%
    Fiber 4g17%
    Sugar 13g14%
    Protein 5g10%
    Vitamin A 37IU1%
    Vitamin C 3mg4%
    Calcium 99mg10%
    Iron 2mg11%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @sharmispassions or tag #sharmispassions
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    Filed Under: Holi, RandomPosts, Sharmis Passions, thandai recipes

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Payal

      March 31, 2017 at 2:14 pm

      My mum also adds rose petals… makes a lot of difference !

      Reply
    2. Shraddha

      April 29, 2020 at 12:59 pm

      Thanks for sharing the recipe.. you forgot to write rose petals in the ingredient list..

      Reply
      • Sharmilee J

        April 30, 2020 at 6:05 am

        oh yes I missed it now updated 🙂

        Reply
    4.34 from 6 votes (5 ratings without comment)

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