EASY to Make Thandai Recipe at Home

Hello Everyone, you all are welcome to our blog Gujarati Rotlo Food Recipes. In this article, we will be learning  Step by Step Thandai Recipe in Gujarati and how to make this delicious Classic, Rose, and Kesar Thandai Recipe in just 15 minutes. You can serve ठंडाई to your friends, family, and loved ones.

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What is Thandai?

Thandai is an Indian cold drink prepared with a mixture of almonds, fennel seeds, watermelon kernels, rose petals, pepper, poppy seeds, cardamom, saffron, milk, and sugar. It is native to India and is often associated with the Maha Shivaratri and Holi festivals. Traditionally, a small amount of bhang (cannabis leaves and flower heads) is added to thandai for Holi, but this version is without bhang, making it suitable for everyone, including children. The name “Thandai” means “cooling” in Hindi, reflecting its refreshing nature.

Ingredients for Thandai Recipe

• Soaked Almonds – 100 gms
• Soaked Cashews – 50 gms
• Soaked Watermelon Seeds – 50 gms
• Soaked Fennel Seeds (Saunf) – 50 gms
• Soaked Black Seeds – 2 tsp
• Soaked Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus) – 2 tsp
• Soaked Cardamom (Elaichi) – 2 tsp
• Saffron (Kesar) – 1/4 tsp
• Sugar – 300 gms
• Water – 1 cup

Recipe Video

Instructions for Thandai Recipe

Classic Thandai Recipe

1. Soak and Rinse: Add almonds, cashews, watermelon seeds, fennel seeds, black seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron in separate bowls. Rinse them well and soak in water for at least 4 hours.
2. Peel and Blend: Peel the skin of the almonds and rinse all the nuts with fresh water. Add the soaked and blanched nuts to a blender.
3. Grind: Drain the water from the watermelon seeds and black seeds. Add them to the blender. Grind the fennel seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron together to make a smooth paste.
4. Mix: Combine all the pastes in a bowl.
5. Prepare Syrup: In a pan, add sugar and just enough water to cover it. Stir until the sugar dissolves and forms a syrup.
6. Combine: Mix the nut and spice paste with the syrup. Let it cool and store in an airtight bottle. This syrup can be used to make thandai anytime.

Rose Thandai Recipe

1. Soak and Rinse: Follow the same soaking and rinsing steps as the classic recipe.
2. Peel and Blend: Peel the almonds and rinse all the nuts. Add them to a blender.
3. Grind: Drain the water from the watermelon seeds and black seeds. Add them to the blender. Grind the fennel seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron together to make a smooth paste.
4. Mix: Combine all the pastes in a bowl.
5. Prepare Syrup: In a pan, add sugar and just enough water to cover it. Stir until the sugar dissolves and forms a syrup.
6. Combine: Mix the nut and spice paste with the syrup. Let it cool and store in an airtight bottle. This syrup can be used to make rose-flavored thandai anytime.

Variations and Flavors

While the classic thandai recipe is a favorite, adding different flavors can make it even more enjoyable. Popular variations include rose and saffron (kesar) thandai. You can also experiment with other flavors like coffee, tea, mango, vanilla, chocolate, or tropical fruits. However, ensure that these added flavors do not overpower the authentic taste of the drink.

FAQ

1. What is Thandai?

Thandai is an Indian cold drink made with a mixture of almonds, fennel seeds, watermelon kernels, rose petals, pepper, poppy seeds, cardamom, saffron, milk, and sugar. It is often associated with the Maha Shivaratri and Holi festivals. The name “Thandai” means “cooling” in Hindi, reflecting its refreshing nature¹.

2. What ingredients are needed for Thandai?

• Soaked Almonds
• Soaked Cashews
• Soaked Watermelon Seeds
• Soaked Fennel Seeds (Saunf)
• Soaked Black Seeds
• Soaked Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus)
• Soaked Cardamom (Elaichi)
• Saffron (Kesar)
• Sugar
• Water¹

3. How do you prepare Thandai?

1. Soak and Rinse: Soak almonds, cashews, watermelon seeds, fennel seeds, black seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron in water for at least 4 hours.
2. Peel and Blend: Peel the almonds and rinse all the nuts. Add them to a blender.
3. Grind: Drain the water from the seeds and add them to the blender. Grind the fennel seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron together to make a smooth paste.
4. Mix: Combine all the pastes in a bowl.
5. Prepare Syrup: In a pan, add sugar and just enough water to cover it. Stir until the sugar dissolves and forms a syrup.
6. Combine: Mix the nut and spice paste with the syrup. Let it cool and store in an airtight bottle. This syrup can be used to make thandai anytime¹.

4. Can I customize the Thandai recipe?

Yes, you can customize the Thandai recipe by adding different flavors like rose, saffron, or even tropical fruits. However, ensure that these added flavors do not overpower the authentic taste of the drink¹.

5. Is Thandai good for health?

Thandai is made using a number of nuts and spices which are said to have a cooling effect on the body. Ingredients like almonds, fennel seeds, and saffron are known for their health benefits, making Thandai a nutritious and refreshing drink¹.

6. How do I store Thandai?

Thandai syrup can be stored in an airtight bottle in the refrigerator for up to a week. When ready to serve, mix the syrup with cold milk and serve chilled¹.

7. Can I make Thandai without sugar?

Yes, you can make Thandai without sugar by using natural sweeteners like honey or jaggery. Adjust the quantity to taste¹.

8. What can I serve with Thandai?

Thandai is often served as a refreshing drink during festivals like Holi. It pairs well with Indian snacks like samosas, pakoras, or sweets like gujiya¹.

9. Is Thandai gluten-free?

Yes, Thandai is naturally gluten-free as it is made from nuts, seeds, and spices that do not contain gluten¹.

10. How do I make Thandai more flavorful?

To enhance the flavor of Thandai, you can add a pinch of saffron, rose water, or freshly ground spices like cardamom and black pepper. Adjust the spices to your preference for a more personalized taste¹.