Thandai is a refreshing summer beverage ; it's quick , easy to make and tastes super delcioius. To make this recipe , I have used Homemade Thandai Masala powder which is an excellent premix , better than any store brought.
Traditionally, Thandai is made by soaking spices and nuts in water overnight, ground to fine paste, mixed with milk , filtered , chilled and then served.
My version of Instant Thandai is made by using Thandai Masala Powder. Rather than just mixing with milk , here tanadai masala is soaked in warm water / milk , blend to fine paste and then mixed with milk .
About this recipe
What makes this drink so refreshing is the aromatic flavours from nuts along with lashings of cardamom, rose petals and saffron . Also the mellow hit of spice and sweetness from black pepper and fennel seeds , never lets you down from drinking this delicious cooling beverage .
Adding Bhang (cannabis leaves) to drink is the most common practice that is witnessed during Maha shivaratri and Holi festivals.
But with my version of Instant thandai , no Bhang is added. Prepare thandai a day before , chill it in refrigerator and then serve the next day. As it tastes more good when served chilled , that is how it need to be served.
Try to use whole fat milk while making this beverage as it tastes extremely delicious. You can also make a Frozen Dessert version of this recipe Thandai Kulfi.
Ingredients
If doing Instant Thandai from Homemade Thandai Masala Powder , all you need is just Milk, Sugar and Thandai Premix
Whole Milk : Full fat whole milk makes this drink super delicious . But you use low fat milk also to make this instant drink. Few even add ice cubes into milk while serving , while doing so if low fat milk is used the its dilute and you may not get the actual taste.
Thandai Masala Powder : Here I have used homemade instant Thandai Masala powder , its an unsweetened Masala Powder. You can use store bought premix too. But check if its sweetened or unsweetned before using it in the recipe.
Sugar : Use as required , depending on your taste. If using sweetened Thandai masala powder , then you may need to add less sugar to the drink.
Rose Water or Rose essence : Though its optional , it's highly recommended to add ½ teaspoon of rose water while serving to get the aromatic and refreshing taste.
Step by Step directions to make Thandai
Soak for 15 to 20 minutes.
Whilst, in a saucepan boil 500ml of full fat whole milk .
Transfer the soaked thandai masala into a mixer jar
and blend to a smooth paste.
Now add this ground paste into 500 ml of boiled milk along with sugar.
Stir milk continuously and boil on a very low heat for 5 minutes.
Turn off the stove , remove the sauce pan and set aside for 10-15 minutes for flavours to steep in.
Now strain milk , and store thandai in a pitcher/ jar and refrigerate.
Serve chilled Thandai , garnished with rose petals, saffron strands, slivered nuts and few drops of rose water.
This post has been updated from the archives, was first published in March 2019
Recipe
Thandai
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Thandai Masala Powder
- 500 ml Whole fat milk , boiled
- 2.5 tablespoon Sugar or as needed
For Garnishing
- 1 tablespoon Slivered nuts
- ¼ teaspoon Dry Rose Petals or Fresh
- Saffron strands few
- Rose Water , few drops ,optional
Instructions
- Soak ¼ cup of Thandai masala powder in ¼ cup of warm water or milk for 15 to 20 minutes.
- Whilst, in a saucepan boil 500ml of full fat whole milk .
- After 20 minutes, transfer the soaked thandai masala into a mixer jar and blend to a smooth paste.
- Now add this ground paste into 500 ml of boiled milk along with sugar.
- Stir milk continuously and boil on a very low heat for 5 minutes.
- Turn off the stove , remove the sauce pan and set aside for 10-15 minutes for flavours to steep in.
- Now strain milk and store thandai in a pitcher/ jar and refrigerate.
- Serve chilled Thandai , garnished with rose petals, saffron strands, slivered nuts and few drops of rose water.
Anonymous says
good pics