Thandai - Happy Holi

Thandai, is a very popular cooling summer drink from Rajasthan made from milk, dry fruits and saffron. Specially made on Indian festivals like Mahashivratri and Holi (festival of colors).  The recipe is super simple to make and and healthy too.  

Total Time: 40 Minutes
Yeild: 6

Ingredients:
1 liter of Full Fat milk(4 1/2 cup)
1/4 cup sugar
a few strands of Saffron
few ice cubes(optional)

Ingredients for thandai masala:
1/4 cup almonds
1/4 cup pistachios
2 tbsp poppy seeds 
2 tbsp fennel seeds
1/2 tsp cardamom powder
8  black peppercorns

Method:

1.  Soak almonds, pistachio and poppy seeds for 2-4 hrs. Remove skin(blanch) of almonds.

2. In blender, add the almonds, pistachios,  fennel seeds black pepper and poppy seeds. Add a 1/4 cup of milk and grind into a fine paste. This paste is called thandai masala.

3. Boil milk in a heavy bottom pan. Add saffron and sugar, simmer for 5 minutes stirring occasionally.

4.  Add cardamom powder, grounded thandai masala into milk, mix nicely with whisk or hand blender. Simmer for another 2 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the mixture to cool and refrigerate for 2-4 hrs. 

5. Serve the thandai chilled with ice cubes for holi festival or serve it as a dessert drink for lunch or parties.

Note:
1. Adding rose petals or rose water to thandai masala also give nice flavor to thandai.
2. Thandai masala will last good for a month if refrigerated.