Thandai - Almond Saffron Milk

Holi is an ancient Hindu religious festival which has become popular with many people of other communities. In North America it has become a spring celebration of colors. It is celebrated on the last full moon of the Hindu calendar month marking the end of winter and the beginning of spring. 

Celebrations and games consist of throwing colored water or powders on each other and of course making and sharing snacks, desserts and drinks. 

Thandai is a traditional festival drink often associated with Maha Shivaratri and Holi. It usually consists of cold milk prepared with a mixture of almonds, fennel seeds, melon seeds, rose petals, pepper, cardamom, saffron, sugar, and sometimes Bhang (cannabis).  Just this weekend at our local Indian restaurant they were serving this traditional drink and I decided to try my hand at it. 

Here's my recipe:

Thandai - Almond Saffron Milk By Cooking for Kishore

Thandai is the traditional drink for Holi - the festival of colors.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups Whole Milk*
• 1 Tbsp Sugar
• 2 Tbsp Thandai Powder
• 15 strands of Saffron
• Crushed Ice
• Crushed Pistachios and Dried Rose Petals to garnish
• *Vegan - Almond, Soy, Coconut Milk

Instructions

1. Heat the 1/2 cup of milk through, add the saffron and let sit for 10 minutes so color will develop.
2. Add the Thandai Powder, and sugar to the remaining milk. Then add the saffron milk.
3. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
4. If you'd like you can strain before serving over ice, garnished with pistachios and rose petals

Yield: 2-4 Servings
Prep Time: 45 mins.

Total time: 45 mins.
Tags: thandai, thandai holi recipe, thandai recipe, almond saffron milk recipe, holi recipe