The festival of colours is just around the corner. While we prepare our colours and water bombs, there's something else that also needs our attention. Without good food and refreshing drinks, Holi is incomplete.
If you are being a part of a get-together or hosting a Holi party, you must be armed with the perfect food and drinks for the fun-filled festival. Make it a point to serve thandai this season. As the temperatures continue to rise, let your guests find some respite in this traditional Indian drink.
Thandai is a traditional Indian summer drink that uses milk, sugar, nuts, seeds and different kinds of spices that enhance the refreshing taste. So, here's chef Kunal Kapur's recipe for a Holi thandai.
Ingredients:
Full fat milk - 1 litre
Cashew nuts (soaked) - 1/4 cup
Almonds (soaked) - 1/4 cup
Pista (soaked) - 1/4 cup
Cardamom (soaked) - 10 nos.
Peppercorns (soaked) - 10 nos
Poppy seeds (soaked) - 2 tbsp
Fennel seeds (soaked) - 1.5 tbsp
Watermelon seeds (soaked) - 2 tbsp
Cucumber seeds (soaked) - 1 tbsp
Rosewater - 1 tbsp
Cinnamon powder - 1/2 tsp
Nutmeg powder - 1/2 tsp
Saffron (soaked) - a generous pinch
Water
Sugar to taste
Recipe
In order to make a perfect glass of thandai, you don't have to spend hours in the kitchen. Though you do need to make certain preparations by soaking the nuts and needs before making the drink.
In the first step, blend together the soaked cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios, cardamom, peppercorns and the seeds with a dash of rose water in a mixer. Also, add the spices. Make sure the paste is semi-liquid in texture.
Add this blend to a bowl of full-fat milk. Mix it well. Serve it when cool with ice cubes. Add a few saffron strands for garnishing.
Make this refreshing drink to add charm to your Holi festivities.