Holi, the festival of colors, joy, and delicious cuisines, is just around the corner. As the month of Phalguna begins, enthusiasm for the upcoming Holi festival fills the air. This grand celebration is marked by people playfully applying colors on each other, indulging in sweets, and sipping on the traditional Holi beverage – Thandai. This year, elevate your Holi festivities with a variety of Thandai recipes that are sure to add more colors to your celebrations. Let’s explore four delightful Thandai recipes that you can prepare to make your Holi even more vibrant.
1. Rose Thandai
Ingredients
- 1 liter milk
- 1/2 cup rose petals
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1/4 cup poppy seeds
- 1/4 cup rose water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1/2 tsp saffron strands
Instructions
- Wash the rose petals and soak them in water. Also, soak almonds, pistachios, and poppy seeds overnight.
- In the morning, grind all the soaked ingredients into a smooth paste.
- Boil the milk and let it cool. Mix the paste into the cooled milk thoroughly.
- Add rose water, sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron strands. Mix well.
- Refrigerate the Thandai until chilled and serve.
2. Chocolate Thandai
Ingredients
- 1 liter milk
- 1/2 cup chocolate syrup
- 1/4 cup almonds
- 1/4 cup pistachios
- 1/4 cup poppy seeds
- 1/4 cup rose water
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1/2 tsp saffron strands
Instructions
- Soak almonds, pistachios, and poppy seeds overnight.
- Grind the soaked ingredients into a smooth paste.
- Boil the milk and let it cool. Mix the paste into the cooled milk.
- Add chocolate syrup, rose water, sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron strands. Mix well.
- Refrigerate the Thandai until chilled and serve.
3. Dahi Falooda Thandai
Ingredients
- 1 cup yogurt
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/4 cup falooda sev
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup pistachios, chopped
- 1/4 cup almonds, chopped
- 1/4 cup raisins
- 1/4 cup cherries
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- 1/4 tsp saffron strands
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
- Soak falooda sev in milk for 30 minutes.
- In a bowl, mix yogurt, sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron strands.
- Add soaked falooda sev to the yogurt mixture.
- Add chopped pistachios, almonds, raisins, and cherries. Mix well.
- Refrigerate the Dahi Falooda Thandai until chilled. Serve with ice cubes if desired.
4. Special Chaas (Buttermilk) Recipe
Ingredients
- 2 cups buttermilk
- 1/2 cup mint leaves
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp cumin powder
- 1/4 tsp black salt
- 1/4 tsp roasted cumin powder
- Ice cubes (optional)
Instructions
- Wash mint leaves and soak them in water.
- In a blender, combine buttermilk, soaked mint leaves, lemon juice, sugar, cumin powder, black salt, and roasted cumin powder.
- Blend until smooth. Add ice cubes if desired.
- Pour the Special Chaas into glasses and serve immediately.
This Holi, treat your loved ones to these unique Thandai variations, and make your celebrations even more colorful and flavorful. Enjoy the festivities, and may your Holi be filled with joy, laughter, and delightful flavors!