Take all the ingredients listed under ‘to soak and grind’ in a bowl.
Add water to it. Set aside for 1 hour, keep it covered.
Transfer to a mixer jar. Grind it to a fine paste. Set aside.
Boil milk, simmer for 2 mins.
Add saffron to it.
Let it simmer until the color changes. It takes atleast 7-10 mins.
Add sugar to it. Give a quick mix.
Simmer for 3-5 mins then switch off. Keep aside for it to become warm.
When it is still warm add the prepared paste.
Whisk well so that no lumps are formed.
Set aside for atleast an hour for all the flavours to steep in the saffron milk.
After an hour or so drain using a metal strainer.
Mix it well with a laddle.
Repeat to finish. Discard the remains.
Add few drops rose essence to it and mix it well.Thandai is ready. Chill this and serve along with chopped nuts and saffron.
Enjoy chilled thandai.