{"id":31686,"date":"2022-03-10T08:30:00","date_gmt":"2022-03-10T16:30:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/spicecravings.com\/?p=31686"},"modified":"2026-02-24T23:32:14","modified_gmt":"2026-02-25T07:32:14","slug":"thandai","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/spicecravings.com\/thandai","title":{"rendered":"Easy Thandai Recipe (Refreshing Holi Drink)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Make authentic Thandai<\/strong> at home from scratch using the traditional wet-paste method, or my '5-minute Instant Thandai' with homemade Thandai powder. This refreshing Holi drink is 100% natural, packed with nuts, seeds, and cooling spices, and ready to chill in 10 minutes!<\/p>\n\n\n

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The center of attention in all of our Holi celebrations is always the Thandai station. I usually prep the night before by straining and chilling it into pitchers so it's perfectly marinated and cold by morning. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love serving it in terracotta kulhads<\/a> whenever I can; the thandai stays cold in them, plus they add such a nostalgic touch.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

There's one thing I've learned over the years: Thandai tastes better the next day! While you can drink it immediately, the real magic happens when you let it sit in the fridge for at least 4 to 6 hours. This allows the nuts, floral rose, and saffron to fully marry with the milk. Trust me, the depth of flavor is worth the wait! <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Want more holi recipes? Check out 60+ Easy & Authentic Holi Recipes<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n[feast_advanced_jump_to]\n\n\n

What is Thandai?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Thandai, pronounced 'thund-aa-ee,<\/strong>' is a traditional drink from northern India. The Hindi word 'thand' means 'cold', so thandai in English refers to a refreshing drink with cooling effects<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This refreshing drink is made with a blend of almonds, cashews, pistachios, melon seeds, poppy seeds (khas khas)<\/em>, cardamom pods, black pepper, saffron, and rose petals. This blend is stirred into warm milk, then cooled and chilled, resulting in\u00a0flavorful,<\/strong><\/span> fragrant milk<\/strong> that feels like a dessert!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is popularly made to celebrate the festival of colors, Holi<\/em>, and Mahashivratri<\/em> (celebration of Lord Shiva)<\/em>, both of which fall in March.<\/p>\n\n\n\n