Thandai, a delightful milk-based drink, is a summertime favorite and practically synonymous with Holi! Known for its refreshing and cooling properties, it's the perfect beverage to beat the heat. I personally relish Thandai all summer long, finding its taste both amazing and revitalizing! While convenient Thandai Concentrate is readily available in stores, I prefer the homemade version, as it's surprisingly easy to prepare. Here's my quick and simple Thandai recipe.
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A friend from university recently messaged me on WhatsApp, saying I reminded him of a camel! I was stunned and asked him what he meant. His explanation was ridiculous: "Debjanir Rannaghar doesn't have any drink or sorbet recipes, so I figured you could go days without liquids!" Talk about harsh criticism! Of course, that inspired me to create a drink recipe. So, here's the recipe for a popular Indian sorbet on this special Holi occasion: Thandai!
Holi special Thandai
Thandai probably needs no introduction! It's a refreshing milk-based drink, especially popular during Holi, and great to enjoy all summer long because of its cooling effect. Personally, I love drinking this drink throughout the summer because it tastes amazing and is super refreshing!
This drink is a family favorite. Pasta, my daughter, especially enjoys her chilled Thandai. For me, it's a perfect choice. It's a drink packed with milk and nuts, so I happily give it to her whenever she asks. Thandai is a winner in my book!
I drink milk, but I usually need something to mask the taste. Mehebub, on the other hand, loves milk in every way, so Thandai is perfect for him!
You can easily find Thandai Concentrate in stores, but it's so simple to make at home, which is always my preference.
Variations and Quick Tips
I like to prepare the thandai paste ahead of time because it makes mixing the drink much faster. Feel free to adjust the amount of dry fruits I've suggested to suit your own taste. Soaking the dry fruits beforehand also makes it easier to grind them into a smooth paste. If you're allergic to any of the dry fruits, simply leave them out. Lastly, poppy seeds (also known as khuskhus or posto dana) aren't available everywhere, so don't worry if you can't find them – just skip them. And if you're making this for kids or someone who doesn't like a strong spicy flavor, you can use less black pepper for a milder taste.
Instant Thandai Recipe
I also like to make Thandai Powder and keep it on hand. I'll definitely share that recipe with you later, but for now, let's focus on this quick and easy version.
Frequently Asked Questions
Thandai is definitely a healthy and balanced drink. Think about what's in it – milk, dry fruits, and spices! That combination gives you protein, calcium, and vitamins all in one delicious glass. Plus, thandai is known for its cooling effect, making it the perfect drink to enjoy during the hot summer months.
You can easily make your thandai lactose-free by using soy milk or almond milk instead of regular milk.
Recipe Card
Thandai
Ingredients
- 1 Liter Milk I have used Full Cream Milk
- 6 Sugar/ Chini: 6 Tbsp.
For making the Thandai Paste:
- 50 Almond/ Badam
- 10 Cashew Nut
- 10 Pistachios/ Pista
- 2 tablespoon Melon Seed/ Magajdana
- 2 tablespoon Poppy Seed/ Posto/ Khuskhus
- 2 tablespoon Fennel Seed/ Mauri/ Saunf
- 15 Black Peppercorn/ Gol Marich/ Kali Mirch
- 8 Green Cardamom/ Choto Elach/ Hari Elaichi de-seeded
- ½ teaspoon Rose Water
- 15 Strings Saffron
For Garnishing:
- 5 Pistachios chopped
- 10 Strings Saffron Strings
Instructions
Easy Thandai Recipe
- Soak Almond, Cashew Nut, Pistachios, Melon Seed, Poppy Seed, Fennel Seed, Black Peppercorn, and Green Cardamom in plain water for a minimum of 2 hours; however, I soaked all the ingredients overnight.
- Take milk in a deep-bottomed Vessel and bring it to a boil.
- Add Sugar and cook the milk on medium flame until sugar dissolves completely.
- Take 2 Tbsp. of milk out in a small bowl and add Saffron to this small portion of warm milk and keep it aside.
- Switch the flame off and let the remaining milk cool completely.
- Take Almonds and Pistachios out of the soaked spice and nut mix and remove the skins.
- Now make a fine Paste of Almond, Cashew Nut, Pistachios, Melon Seed, Poppy Seed, Fennel Seed, Black Peppercorn, and Green Cardamom either in a grinder or using a “Shil-Nora” or “Shilbatta”. You can add 2 Tbsp. Water if required.
- Add this paste to the Milk and mix properly using a spoon and then cover the vessel with a lid and leave it for around 30 minutes.
- Now, using a strainer, strain the milk in a large vessel or Jug.
- Mix the residue with 1 Cup of Water and strain again into the same large vessel that was used for storing the flavored milk.
- Add previously prepared Saffron milk and Rosewater to the mixture and let the Milk cool in a refrigerator for around 2-3 hours before serving.
- At the time of Serving, mix the milk with a spoon and pour into glasses and garnish with chopped Pistachios and strings of Saffron.
Notes
- Adjust the sugar according to preference.
- Instead of full-fat milk, you can use skimmed milk to make Thandai.
Nutrition
Summer Drink Recipes
Holi Special Recipes
- Potol Mishti | Halwai style Parwal Ki Mithai | Kheer Potol
- Kesar Peda; My last minute Diwali Savior! Easy Diwali Sweet Peda Recipe
- Bengali Mishti Doi | Laal Doi
- Phulkopir Singara | Kolkata style Fulkopir Shingara Recipe
- Halwai Style Balushahi!
- Motichur Ladoo | Motichur Laddu | Motichoor Laddu
- Kamala Bhog aka Kamalabhog
- Komola Kheer | Kheer Komola | Bengali Orange Kheer | Komlalebur Payesh
- Rosh Bora (Fritters served with Runny Sugar/ Jaggery syrup) | Bengali Rosh Bora recipe
Have you tried the Thaandai Recipe from Debjanir Rannaghar!
Please inform me of your experience and feel free to send a photo to dolonchttrj@gmail.com. Additionally, you can find me on various social media platforms such as Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Pinterest, Google News, X, and Thread. Don't forget to use the hashtag #debjanirrannaghar when sharing your attempts at my recipes or if you have any questions or recipe requests.
Here's the Thandaai Recipe Pin for your pinterest board
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