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This Holi, raise a glass of your favourite thandai and toast to a festival filled with colours, joy, and delicious dairy delights!
With these diverse thandai recipes, Holi celebrations can be both traditional and innovative.
Holi, the festival of colours, is not just about vibrant hues and joyous celebrations—it’s also about indulging in delightful festive treats! No Holi celebration is truly complete without a refreshing glass of thandai. This traditional dairy-based drink is infused with nuts, spices, and cooling ingredients, making it the perfect way to beat the heat while revelling in the festivities.
To help you elevate your Holi celebrations, we bring you five delicious variations of thandai, with insights from Ravin Saluja, Director, Sterling Agro Industries Limited (Nova Dairy Products), and Kanikka Malhotra, Clinical Nutritionist. From classic flavours to contemporary twists, these recipes cater to every palate and bring a delicious splash of tradition and innovation to your celebrations.
The Classic Thandai: A Timeless Favourite
Saluja highlights the Classic Thandai, a quintessential festive drink that has stood the test of time. “A well-made thandai combines the richness of chilled milk with almonds, cashews, fennel seeds, poppy seeds, cardamom, and saffron,” he says. “Sweeten it with sugar or honey, serve it chilled, and you have the ultimate Holi drink.” This traditional recipe offers a rich and aromatic experience, making it a staple at every celebration.
Rose Thandai: A Floral Delight
For those who enjoy floral notes in their drinks, Saluja suggests the Rose Thandai. “Infusing thandai with rose syrup or fresh rose petals lends a refreshing and aromatic twist to the drink,” he explains. The delicate essence of roses perfectly complements the creamy richness of milk and nuts, adding a touch of sophistication to the festive spread.
Chocolate Thandai: A Modern Indulgence
For a contemporary spin, Saluja recommends the Chocolate Thandai. “By adding cocoa powder or melted dark chocolate, you create a unique fusion of chocolate with traditional thandai spices,” he shares. This indulgent variation is perfect for those who love a hint of decadence in their festive beverages.
Kesar Badam Thandai: A Luxurious Treat
Saffron and almonds come together in this regal version of thandai. “Boost your energy with this rich blend of soaked almonds, saffron strands, and a hint of nutmeg,” says Saluja. Not only does this drink taste divine, but it also provides nourishment and a cooling effect—ideal for warm Holi afternoons.
Paan Thandai: A Digestive-Friendly Delight
Saluja also highlights Paan Thandai, a vibrant and refreshing twist on the classic. “Blend betel leaves, gulkand (rose petal jam), and a few fennel seeds into your thandai for an aromatic and digestive-friendly drink,” he suggests. This version adds an exciting layer of flavour to the festive drink, making it a crowd-pleaser.
Holistic Health Twists on Thandai
Kanikka Malhotra brings her expertise as a clinical nutritionist to the table, offering health-conscious variations of this beloved beverage.
Date & Walnut Thandai: A Naturally Sweet Option
“For a nutrient-rich alternative, blend soaked walnuts, dates, poppy seeds, fennel, and cardamom into a paste,” Malhotra explains. “Boil milk, mix in the paste and black pepper, simmer, then sweeten with honey. Chill and serve with chopped walnuts.” This version is not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients.
Chia Rose Thandai: The Antioxidant Boost
Malhotra recommends adding a superfood twist with Chia Rose Thandai. “Mix soaked almonds, cashews, poppy seeds, fennel, cardamom, and black pepper into a paste, then blend it with saffron, rose water, and soaked chia seeds,” she suggests. “Sweeten with stevia and serve chilled with rose petals.” This drink is high in antioxidants and fiber, aiding digestion while keeping you refreshed.
Almond Matcha Thandai: The Ultimate Energy Booster
“For a natural energy boost, add matcha to your thandai,” says Malhotra. “Blend soaked almonds, cashews, fennel, cardamom, and black pepper into a smooth paste, mix it with milk, saffron, and stevia, and let it chill before serving with rose petals.” This variation offers sustained energy while delivering a dose of antioxidants.
Saffron & Fig Thandai: A Gut-Health Elixir
Malhotra also suggests a Saffron and Fig Thandai for those looking to support digestion. “Blend soaked figs, almonds, cashews, fennel, cardamom, and black pepper into a paste,” she says. “Heat milk, stir in the paste and saffron, and let it simmer. Sweeten with stevia or monk fruit and chill before serving with crunchy pistachios.” This naturally sweet drink is fiber-rich, making it excellent for gut health and sustained energy.
A Thandai for Every Taste
With these diverse thandai recipes, Holi celebrations can be both traditional and innovative. Whether you’re a fan of classic flavours or love experimenting with modern twists, these drinks offer something for everyone. So, this Holi, raise a glass of your favourite thandai and toast to a festival filled with colours, joy, and delicious dairy delights!
