Thandai Recipe

Thandai is a aromatic and flavorful drink made by blending milk with soaked spices and nuts. Thandai is a natural and tasty body coolant that is commonly made for Holi, Shivarathri and in summer. Learn to make Thandai Recipe with step by step pictures and video.

Thandai is one of the refreshing drinks that can be had during summer. It is one of the most flavorful drinks that you can make and consume. Thandai is not only healthy but refreshing too.

Jump to:

• What is Thandai?
• Thandai Video
• Thandai Ingredients
• How to make Thandai Recipe Step by Step
• Expert Tips
• Serving & Storing
• FAQS
• 📖 Recipe Card

What is Thandai?

Thandai is a flavored spiced drink made with milk, spices and nuts. The term ‘Thandai’ means ‘cooling’ or’ cools down’ which is derived from the hindi word ‘thanda’ meaning cool. So as per the name thandai is a natural body coolant so not only for festivals, we can make this often during summer.

This classic traditional beverage made for Holi is also known as ‘shardai’ or ‘sardai’. The main ingredients of this drink is milk, nuts, seeds and spices. Nuts, seeds and spices are first soaked and grind to a paste then the paste is diluted in milk which is known as thandai..

No time to soak I have you covered, I have the instant thandai recipe which is very easy and quick to make. It involves no soaking and waiting time. A powder is made with nuts, seeds and spices and then mixed with milk.

Thandai is one of the drinks made for Holi festival however we can make it any time of the year. This is one of the healthy flavoring drink you can opt for kids – I am sure they will love it.

Thandai is a traditional milk based healthy drink that is offered to God for Holi & consumed widely in North India during summer as it is an excellent coolant. Thandai, Lassi, Buttermilk, Sambaram, takes turn at our home to beat the heat of the summer.

Thandai gets its coolant nature from the Khus Khus which is known for soothing & coolant effects. Thandai is the tasty form of Khus Khus or poppy seeds which boosts the immune system, clears acne and promotes skin health and calms the mind.

Thandai Video

Homemade Thandai

Taste & Cost – Thandai made at home is fresh, tastier, nuttier & flavorful and comes half the cost of store bought Thandai powders. Thandai powder available at stores may be added with more of seeds, essence, preservatives than using the nuts or the the actual aromatic spices or other ingredients.

Similar recipes

• Thandai powder
• Bottled thandai syrup
• Thandai kulfi
• Rose Thandai Popsicle

Thandai Recipe (3 ways)

• Classic & Traditional – Thandai Recipe can be made in wet paste & dry powder versions. In this version, the nuts & spices are first soaked and grind to paste by addition of water and then blended with milk.
• Instant Thandai – In this instant version, the nuts are grind to coarse powder and then blended with milk. The powder version gets the Thandai powder which is the Instant Version of making Thandai just by adding the Thandai powder to the milk.
• Thandai Syrup – Kesariya Thandai is bottled thandai syrup that can be refrigerated and used.

Thandai Ingredients

• Nuts – Badam / Almonds & Pistachios (unsalted) are used in the making of Thandai. Melon seeds is also added. Nuts give thickness and creaminess to this drink.
• Rose (Dried) / Rose Essence – Dried rose petals are commonly added to make Thandai. You can replace it with rose essence which is commonly available in supermarkets. Garnishing with rose petals, nuts & saffron make Thandai more appealing.
• Saffron, Cardamom – Saffron lends the flavors & beautiful color to Thandai. Kashmiri saffron is one of the best in the world. Use genuine branded saffron strands as there are lot of duplicate ones. Cardamom is powdered and added for more flavor.
• Spices – Pepper corns, Fennel Seeds and Khus Khus (poppy seeds) are added in Thandai for making Thandai refreshing, spicy & filling.
• Milk – Use fresh milk that is not skimmed or toned or processed.  However if you do not have access to fresh milk, get full cream milk as the 1^st preference and other options like toned milk if you do not have choice.
• Sugar: Add regular white sugar for this recipe – for more sweetness and richness you can replace it with condensed milk too.

How to make Thandai Recipe Step by Step

1.Take all the ingredients listed under ‘to soak and grind’ in a bowl.

• 2 tablespoon almonds
• 1 and 1/2 tablespoon cashews
• 1 tablespoon poppy seeds
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 4 nos cardamom powder
• 1/4 teaspoon peppercorns
• 2 tablespoon melon seeds
• 2 tablespoon pistachios

2.Add water to it.

3.Set aside for 1 hour, keep it covered.

4.Transfer to a mixer jar.

5.Grind it to a fine paste. Set aside.

6.Boil 1 liter milk, mix well then simmer for 2 mins.

7.Add 1/2 teaspoon saffron to it.

8.Let it simmer until the color changes. It takes at least 7-10 mins.

9.Add 1/4 cup sugar to it.

10.Give a quick mix.

11.Simmer for 5 mins then switch off.

12.Keep aside for it to become warm.

13.When it is still warm add the prepared paste.

14.Whisk well so that no lumps are formed.

15.Add few drops rose essence to it and mix it well. Set aside for at least an hour for all the flavors to steep in the saffron milk.

16.After an hour drain using a metal strainer.

17.Mix it well with a ladle.

18.Repeat to finish. Discard the remains.

19.Thandai is ready. Chill this and serve along with chopped nuts and saffron.

Enjoy chilled thandai.

Expert Tips

• After the spice mix is added to milk give little resting time for Thandai to get blended well with milk.
• You can even add dried rose petals. Rose water is optional but gives a great flavor to the drink.
• At the time of serving, pour into serving glasses, add crushed pistachios and saffron as garnish.
• Always serve chilled.

Variations

• Blend thandai powder, curd,sugar and milk in a mixer jar to make Thandai Lassi
• Freeze Thandai in mold for Thandai Popsicle.
• You can also make Bottled thandai syrup.
• Blend any of the fruit – mango pulp / strawberry / pineapple / litchi& add to the Thandai for Fruit Thandai (Do not add citrus fruits as it will curdle the milk)
• Add Chocolate shavings to the nuts mix or chocolate syrup to milk to make Chocolat Thandai
• Add Chia seeds to the milk to make more cooler Thandai

Serving & Storing

Serve Thandai chilled! However if you wish to enjoy hot – go for it! Thandai stays good for a week when refrigerated. Make Thandai powder in bulk & use it as an instant mix for a month use.

FAQS

1.What type of milk to be used?

Use full cream milk for thick thandai or the regular toned milk if you are ok with a slightly runny thandai.

2.Should I blanch almonds?

Almond skin is slightly thicker, hence it is blanched & used. However it is not mandatory and the skin is very nutritious.

3.Are rose petals & essence mandatory?

Rose petals / essence is added for fragrant flavor – You can skip them if you do not like it or have it.

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

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📖 Recipe Card