After sharing Thandai Powder recipe, I am sure you expected the Thandai Drink to show up soon. Holi festival is incomplete without a few glasses of this rich milk based Indian drink. Flavored with aromatic spices, nuts and rose water, it smells amazing perfumy and so refreshing.
What is Thandai?
This is a classic Indian drink that is specially prepared during Holi festival and then it keeps showing up all through Spring and Summer.
Traditionally bhang is added in Thandai. Bhang is made from the bud, leaves and flowers of the female cannabis. It is added in a small quantity when preparing Thandai and is known to create mild hallucination.
My Recipe has no bhang and it’s just purely aromatic and rich. Kids will love it too.
All I used to prepare this milk based drink is my homemade Thandai powder, milk, pinch of saffron and rose water.
Here is the link to my homemade easy Thandai Powder
Can you prepare this drink using dairy free milk?
Oh yes! You can use oat milk, almond milk or your choice of plant based milk.
Making in advance and Storing Thandai
The nut spice Powder can be store in a clean dry airtight jar. You don’t need to store in the refrigerator unless it very and humid where you live.
As for the Thandai Drink, I would highly recommend making a day in advance and store in the refrigerator as the flavors blend better overnight.
The drink can be kept for few days in the refrigerator.
Are there health benefit ?
Thandai is not only a refreshing thirst quencher, it comes with a few health benefit too.
Because of the all the nuts and spices that goes in making the Thandai powder, the drink helps to boost immunity, cool down your body during brutal summer and aids in digestion.
Can you prepare it without making the powder?
Yes!
Making the powder makes it easy and quick to prepare the drink.
The traditional way is done little differently where they soak almond and then peel off the skin. The rest of the spice and nuts is then grinding with some milk to make a smooth paste like consistency.
It is then simmered with milk along with rose water, sugar and saffron stands until the flavor blends in.
I told you two different ways to prepare Thandai and I prefer to make the spice powder in advance so I can use it to prepare not only the milk based drink but also cake, cookies, and other variety of desserts.
Thandai
Ingredients
- 1 liter whole milk
- ¼ cup Thandai Masala Powder
- 3 tablespoons sugar (add more if you prefer it sweeter)
- 1 teaspoon rose water
- few strands of saffron
- chopped cuts and dried rose petals for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- In a heavy bottom pan pour the milk along with the thandai spice powder, sugar and rose water and saffron strands.
- Simmer in medium heat stirring continuously for 15 minutes.
- Once done, check for sugar and add more if you prefer.
- At this point based on your liking, you can choose to strain the milk and then chill it in the refrigerator. If you don't mind the course like texture, then chill the Thandai drink in the refrigerator.
- Enjoy it with chopped nuts and dried rose petal garnish.
Stephanie @ okie dokie artichokie
Gorgeous! Love the presentation and the strands of saffron on top really make it a showstopper. 🙂 Just discovered your site and am really excited to try some authentic Indian cuisine! Nice to meet yah!
sayantani
lovely drink and beautiful clicks!
Sia
the last pic with generous pinch of saffron just took my breath away!
Happy Independence day to u too Kankana and thank u for sharing ur hubby's fav drink with us all 🙂
Tes
Happy Independence day, Kankana! And this drink sounds really interesting 🙂
Sissi
Unusual and beautiful drink! Happy independence day! (a bit late, sorry 🙁 )
chitra
Thandai looks superb .. Nice , pretty clicks 🙂
Joanne
Happy independence day! And what a delicious drink to celebrate with!
Eve
Hello Kankana - I don't think I've ever seen your site before but it's absolutely gorgeous and I love all of your recipes so far. For the ice cube issue, have you thought about freezing some of the mixture into ice cubes and then adding them so that it doesn't dilute the taste? I haven't tried this myself but I've been seeing it all over the blogosphere so I'm sure it's good.
I hope you enjoyed your Independence Day!
- Eve
Mythreyi
Thandai looks super Good, Never knew Peppercons were part of this cool drink. Will try for sure... Happy Independence Day....
-Mythreyi
Liren
Happy Independence Day! What a stunning beverage - just gorgeous. I can't say I have ever had a drink with saffron on top, so beautiful.
Jamie @ Wokintime
Happy Independence Day! What an amazing drink! It's like nothing I've ever tasted before I can't even begin to imagine how all those flavors go together. Looks like I'm going to have to try it.
Gorgeous photography too.
Spandana
Looks gorgeous... love the saffron on top....
Manju
love thandai! can you believe its only int he last few years that i first had it?!? Happy Indepepndence Day to you too. Jai Hind!
Domestic Deepa
That looks delicious and refreshing!
Priya Sreeram
Happy Independence Day kankana and just for your clicks I am willing to gulp down thandai from both the glasses u have displayed back to back & without guilt (tee hee) !!
Nami | Just One Cookbook
Happy Independence Day! I've never heard of this drink but I enjoyed this entire post with good writing and beautiful photos. I'd love to try this milk...sounds delicious! And I really enjoyed you added different kinds themes (styling) of photography here - like some are ingredients only etc. Not to mention, your handmade flag is super cute! Love your creativity on this post.
Jessica
This is such a beautiful drink! No wonder it's your husband's favorite. I love the strands of saffron on top! Great choice for the celebration!
Manu
Happy Independence Day!!! 🙂
Great way to celebrate! Yet another must try recipe! I have never tasted thandai before but like all the ingredients listed, so I can easily imagine I'd love it!
Absolutely right about the Indian anthem, it is beautiful! 🙂
Baker Street
Gorgeous gorgeous shots Kankana! And happy independence day to you too!
Radhika @ foodfor7stages
Happy Independence day to you too Kankana. You reminded me of my school days where we celebrated this day year after year.
& This is a lovely summer drink. Your pictures are beautiful.