Thandai

Hi Friends. Its almost the end of winter and less than a week for Holi. Holi is a  spring festival in  India also known as festival of colors. It signifies the arrival of spring and celebrations usually involve gathering of friends and playing with colors , dance and relishing lots of food and drinks. I still miss the fun in india , but try to celebrate as much as i can here with my friends. One of the most popular drinks in North India served during Holi is Thandai. Its a refreshing drink made with nuts and spices and has a cooling effect on the body hence the name “thandai” . I never tried it back when i was living in India ,but now i make it every  year around this time and it has become one of my favourite drink.  Do try making it this holi . Recipe below.

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Thandai

Ingredients

  • 1/2 gallon Whole milk
  • 1 cup sugar ( less or more depending on how sweet you like it )
  • 3 tbsps rose water
  • Pinch of saffron soaked in 3tbsps warm milk

Ingredients to be soaked in 1/2 cup water

  • 25 Almonds
  • 25 Cashew nuts
  • 15 Pistachios
  • 1 tbsp Fennel seeds
  • 1 tbsp Poppy seeds
  • 10 Peppercorns

Directions

  • Soak the the required ingredients in 1/2 cup water for 30mins . Strain the water leaving a little / 2tbsps water  and grind it to fine paste and set aside.
  • Boil ½ gallon milk in a pot on medium heat for approx 5 mins ,stirring and making sure the bottom doesn’t stick to the pot . Switch off the flame and let it cool to room temperature. Add the paste and sugar to the milk and mix it until completely combined.
  • Set aside in the refregirator for 2hrs so all the flavors are well incorporated.
  •  Strain the milk into a pitcher and discard the residue. Now add the rose water and saffron milk.  
  • Chill for an hr and then pour into serving glasses , garnished with crushed pistachios and almonds. Enjoy.

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Thanks for stopping by .

Rajini

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