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Thandai

Thandai

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Manjula Jain

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Thandai

Thandai

Thandai is a very refreshing spicy cold beverage with aromatic flavors; main ingredients are almond, milk, sugar and some spices. Traditionally thandai is served during the Indian holiday “Holi”. Holi is a celebration of the harvest season. Recipe will serve 4.
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Course Drinks
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4 people

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup almonds badam
  • 1 ½ cup Milk
  • 4 Tbsp Sugar
  • 1 ½ tsp whole black pepper kali mirch
  • 1 Tbsp fennel seeds saunf
  • 2 Tbsp poppy seeds khuskhus
  • 4 green cardamom ilatchi
  • 2 Tbsp rosewater
  • 2 cup water adjust as needed

Instructions
 

  • Soak almonds in water for at least 6 hours. Peel off the almond’s skin.
  • Grind black pepper, fennel seeds, poppy seeds, and cardamom.
  • Using a blender, blend the almonds into a paste. Add just enough water to let the almond blend into a paste.
  • In the same blender add the grinded spices and about ½ cup of water with almond paste. Blend until creamy.
  • Add 1 cup of water and sugar blend until sugar dissolve.
  • Strain the mix through the fine strainer or cheesecloth.
  • Return the left over ground paste to the blender with rest of the water.
  • Blend again and extract the liquid once more.
  • Discard remaining ground mash.
  • Mix the almond liquid, milk, and rose water.
  • Thandai is ready. Serve over the crush ice.

Notes

Garnish with rose petals!
Keyword Holi Drink, milk, Poppy Seeds, Rosewater, Sweet
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

Comments

46 responses to “Thandai”

  1. Sona

    Hello mam ,
    In singapore khus khus is banned ,so can u plz tell me the substitute of it in thandai ,as i actually want the same kooling effect tht we get in thandai

    1. karu

      Superb recipe. Thank u so much manjula aunty. God bless you.

  2. priya @MyKitchenOdyssey

    The name itself is very diff thandai.Refreshers for summer .usually we add buttermilk for refreshers .Milk is a bit diff for me.

  3. Darshita

    Hi Manjula….
    May i add gulakand in Thandai?

  4. Wings

    Wonderful beverage. I just made a double batch for my family to try. It was agreed it goes on the holiday table for Pesach! So since we are vegan I simply added a bit more water not enough to equal the milk called for so it was still nice and rich. I also left out the black pepper, I do the same in my chai tea blend as most do not like the bite and I am a pitta dosha so it serves me better too.

    Thank you for this lovely recipe and all the others, which are many, you have shared and my family has enjoyed!

  5. Komal

    Hi Manjula,

    Can I make the mixture and store it?

    1. Manjula Jain

      Komal,
      You can store the mixture add the milk when you ready to serve.

  6. Abijita

    The Thandai came out really good. Thank you.

  7. Swetha

    Hai Manjula.

    Is that mandatory to use rose water,can we skip that?

    Thanks and Regards.
    Swetha

    1. Manjula Jain

      Swetha,
      You can make without rose water.

  8. RASHI SHARMA

    HELLO,
    MANJULA ANTY, CAN WE USE THINLY SLICED OR CRUSHED PISTACHIOS AND SAFFRON THREADS FOR GARNISH..
    I THINK THESE WILL WORK…
    THANX ANTY FOR THESE NICE RECIEPES I’LL TRY IT OUT..

  9. SANGEETHA

    Hello Manjula Aunty,

    I have become a fan of your Recipes and the ratios that you suggest are so perfect that am able to make good food atleast on the second attempt if not first :).

    Have followed so many of your recipes and everyone has relished them. You are a Kitchen Guru…

    Thank you so much. Its really helpful.

    Regards
    Sangeetha

  10. Sonia Kumar

    Manjula Aunty ur recipes are great. I have learned a lot. Can you please tell me where can I find poppy seeds?

    1. RASHI SHARMA

      HELLO,
      SONIA JI! U CAN FIND POPPY SEEDS(KHUSKHUS) AT ANY INDIAN GROCERIES SHOP EASIELY..
      THANX……

  11. shital

    Dear manjula aunty,

    from many days wish to send comment but always due to some reason,unable to send.

    i tried many recipes of you and it was very successful. you are very special for me.

    god bless you a good health. i really love you.————-shital from south korea

  12. Evelyn

    Hi Manjula,

    Thank you for all of your instruction. I love to watch your videos.
    At some point, could you provide a recipe for Indian Chai Tea, please?

  13. Dominique

    Manjula, your website has helped me discover a love of Indian food as I can control the heat and spices now that I know some basics and techniques. Tonight I made a feast that included Thandai and it was delicious. I’m a vegan so I didn’t use cow’s milk but almond milk, omitting the whole almonds and leaving everything else the same. I LOVE this drink!

  14. Traci

    Where did you get those tiny glass bowls that hold your spice ingredients? They are so cute, and what are they called?
    Thank you for your loving recipes.
    Traci

    1. Manjula Jain

      Traci,
      These bowls are for tea candle.

  15. jass

    u r great manjula ji please some more bevreges without mint leavs

  16. Muhammad Ahmed

    Thandai

  17. Saivite

    Kind of funny that the recipe conspicuously fails to mention the secret ingredient. Not altogether surprising… but people should know that if you follow the directions, you aren’t making “real” Thundai. It needs something else, something magical…

    1. Jaya

      What is that secret ingredient?

      1. Jaden

        Is the magical ingredient anise and cumin?

        1. Jaden

          Ohhh, I kept reading and found out what the magical ingredient is and I seriously doubt that it’s anise and cumin!
          I understand why Manjula has omitted it. 🙂

  18. Mamta

    Hi,

    Your recipes are good and very easy to make. Keep up the good work . I wanted to know how to make thandai syrup in bulk quantities and store it .I want to make it in large quantities so that i can use it daily with milk during summers.

    thank you . looking forward for your prompt reply

  19. Srividhya

    Aunty,

    I tried this recipe and it came out good. But I would like to know the end taste of this drink. Is it spicy due to pepper or sweet due to sugar? I found the pepper taste dominated in my preparation. Can you or someone confirm me how it should taste?

  20. srividhya

    Hello Aunty,
    you are a wonderful person. I am so glad in knowing you through internet. I am seeing this recipe for first time and I am quite eager to try it out. you are a true inspirer. your looks and voice are so motherly and warm to me. Thanks for doing a wonderful job.

  21. rupa singh

    why my answer to above asked question of (f) is being removed?

    1. Manjula Jain

      Hi Rupa,
      Sorry if I did remove by mistake please ask again.

  22. F

    Dear Ms Manjula,
    Could you please give us a recipe for Falooda? I had a friend from Bangalore who gave me a fantastic falooda but not the recipe.

  23. Sridhar

    Manjula,
    My wife and I love your recipes too. Very practical and detailed. We made things we never thought we would make at home – Ras Malai, Bhatura, Naan – and they came out better than what we can get at an Indian restaurant or store. Thank you.

    Adrian,
    Rose water is easily available at any Indian grocery. Even middle-eastern or Persian groceries will typically carry it.

  24. Adrian

    Dear Manjula,

    I love your videos. You are an excellent chef. I’m fortunate enough to have an Indian grocery store nearby so if I can pick up those aromatic and flavorful Indian spices and make some of your fabulous recipes. I haven’t heard of rosewater before. Is that something one makes or can one buy it at a grocery shop? Thank you. I look forward to seeing you cooking up a storm.

    Sincerely,

    Adrian T.

  25. Angela

    I love your recipes. Without the videos I would be lost, thank you for making them in English. You are soooo kind to make them available for everyone to enjoy! धन्यवाद

  26. Ana

    Hi aunty Manjula! Is there any substitute for cardamom? I can’t find it…
    I’ll try to make this delicious drink today!

    1. Manjula Jain

      Hi Ana, it will be ok without cardamom

  27. reshma

    hello anty,
    yesterday i tried ur thandi it worked very well my hubby drinked 2 glass
    wow my daughter to thank u,very much

  28. Salihah

    Auntie, I made this drink last night. It is soooo delicious! Thank you!!

  29. vignesh

    hi manjula aunty,

    where will i get khuskhus in chennai?

    1. shivani

      u say poppy seeds insteead of khuskhus, u will get

  30. alkadixit

    can we soak soak sanf etc for better grinding?

  31. shipra

    is there any substitute for poppy seeds or can it be left out completely?
    thank u in advance…

    1. Manjula Jain

      Hi Shipra,
      there is no substitue for poppy seed just do without.

  32. Jayanthy

    hi Aunty,

    I dont get poppy seeds in Singapore , what can i substitute for them.
    Can i use Cashew..
    Thanks for the recipe

    1. Manjula Jain

      Hi Jayanthy, I have not tried with cashews but it should be ok.

  33. krithiga

    hi Manjulaji,

    This recipe is too good..i have not heard about this..will try..happy Holi

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