New Delhi: We can hardly control our excitement as Holi approaches! Holi is not just about colours, but it is also about all the delicious special foods we get to eat. A chilled thandai glass is one such unique dish! Thandai, a cool beverage made of milk, sugar, nuts, and other spices, is synonymous with this festival. Many people also add bhang to it as is the tradition in several parts of the country. But, if that bit is omitted, thandai is regarded as a healthy beverage that helps to improve digestion while boosting vitality and immunity.


Here are a few interesting Thandai recipes to try on this day:


1. Phirni Thandai:


Ingredients:



  • 250g Milk, full cream

  • 1/2 cup rice (soaked in water for at least 3 hours)

  • 2 Cardamoms (crushed, pods/seeds)

  • 15-20 strands of Saffron (soaked in 2 tbsp milk)

  • 3 tbsp Thandai masala powder

  • 1 cup Sugar

  • 2 tbsp sliced Almonds & Pista


Preparation:



  1. Take milk and boil it in a heavy-bottomed pan.

  2. Once it starts boiling, add the green cardamom to the milk.

  3. In the meantime, take rice and grind them coarsely in a grinder by adding a little water.

  4. Add sugar to the boiling milk, thandai, and kesar milk and then add rice to it.

  5. Stir it for at least 20 minutes or till it gets thick.

  6. When it starts getting thick, switch off the stove and let it cool properly.

  7. Pour it into earthen pots and put it in the fridge for 2 to 3 hours. Now take it out, garnish it with sliced nuts and serve it chilled.


2. Gulab Kesari Thandai:


Ingredients:



  • 1/2 cup Peeled almonds

  • 1/2 cup Cashew nuts

  • 25-30 no Black peppercorns

  • 25-30 no Cardamom

  • 2tbsp Poppy seeds

  • 2tbsp Fennel seeds

  • 2tbsp Melon seeds

  • 25-30 Saffron strands

  • 2tbsp Dry rose petals


Preparation:



  1. Soak all the ingredients in water for a minimum of four hours.

  2. Strain all the ingredients out of the water.

  3. Grind the ingredients in a wet grinder to smooth the paste.

  4. Store in an airtight container.

  5. Can be stored for three days in the refrigerator.


3. Guava Thandai:


Ingredients:



  • 1+1/2 Cup milk

  • 4 tbsp thandai mixture

  • 1 full pack of guava juice

  • Ice cubes


Preparation:



  1. Pour the thandai mixture into a jar.

  2. Add some milk and a full pack of guava juice.

  3. Put some ice cubes, and give it a nice stir.

  4. Enjoy the drink after a wholesome lunch.