Special Holi Thandai Recipe: It is rarely the day of Holi and the scent of Thandai does not waft through the house. Be it before playing colors or afterwards to relieve fatigue, a cup of cold Thandai turns the entire atmosphere festive. The special thing is that it is not just a drink, but a part of tradition, hospitality and belonging. Many people bring ready-made thandai from the market, but the taste of thandai prepared at home with soaked dry fruits and fresh spices gives a different comfort. Even in today’s fast life, people want to replicate the old taste of festivals, so that children can also have the same real Holi experience. If you also want to serve something special on Holi this time, preparing a special thandai at home is a great and heart-warming option.
Why is the Thandai tradition special on Holi?
The relationship between seasons and festivals in India has always been profound. Holi marks the transition from spring to summer, when the body needs coolness and energy. In such a situation, thandai made of dry fruits, spices and milk helps in maintaining the body’s balance. In ancient times, thandai was widely prepared in homes and distributed to relatives and neighbours. It was not just a drink, but also a means of social interaction. To this day, drinking Thandai on the morning of Holi is considered auspicious in many homes.
Ingredients needed to prepare special thandai
1 liter cold milk
8-10 almonds
6-8 nuts
10-12 pistachios
2 tablespoons watermelon seeds
1 tablespoon poppy seeds
4-5 green cardamom pods
1 small piece of cinnamon
5-6 black pepper
Some saffron threads
Sugar according to taste
Dried rose petals
An easy way to make thandai at home
1. Prepare dry fruits properly
First, soak almonds, cashews, pistachios, poppy seeds and watermelon seeds in water for 3-4 hours. This step is very important, because it softens the dry fruits and their flavor dissolves well in the milk. Removing the skin of the soaked almonds improves the color and texture of the thandai.
2. Make a smooth paste of spices and dry fruits
Place the soaked dry fruits in the blender with green cardamom, black pepper and cinnamon. Add a little milk and grind them into a smooth and creamy paste. Keep in mind that the smoother the paste, the richer the taste of the thandai.
3. Mix it with milk and balance the taste
Take cold milk in a large bowl, and mix the prepared dough. Now add sugar as per taste and mix well so that the sweetness spreads evenly. By soaking saffron in lukewarm milk, the thandai becomes light golden in color and aromatic.
4. Cool and serve
Strain the prepared mixture through a sieve, until the thandai is completely smooth. Then keep it cold in the refrigerator for 1-2 hours. While serving, add chopped pistachios, almonds and rose petals on top. The first sip of cold thandai washes away festival fatigue.
Tips to make thandai more special
The beauty of homemade thandai is that it can be changed to taste. Some people add gulkand to it which increases the mild sweetness and rose scent. If you want a more creamy taste, you can also add some condensed milk. In many homes, candy canes are used instead of sugar, making the taste traditional. Nowadays, health conscious people also make sweet thandai with low sugar or dates. This means that many types of thandai can be prepared using the same basic recipe. That is why this drink has become loved in every generation.
Health with taste at festivals
Thandai is not only known for its taste. Nuts, seeds and spices are also known to energize the body, cool it down and aid in digestion. On the day of Holi, when people eat more sweet, fried and spicy foods, Thandai helps maintain balance. That’s why it’s also called a traditional energy drink.
The colours, sweets and dishes of Holi are special in their own place, but without Thandai the taste of the festival seems incomplete. Homemade thandai contains not only dry fruits and spices but also familiarity and tradition. This Eid, make thandai at home instead of in the market and serve it to your guests, believe me you will surely get compliments.
