Thandai

North Indian drink Thandai is entrenched with the tradition of Holi. It is a cool and healthy drink. It is a refreshing drink generally made of water, sugar, seeds of watermelon almonds, cashew nut, cardamom, rose-flower, white pepper, saffron and yes 'bhang' to make it intoxicating if require.

Preparation Time: 3 to 4 hrs.

Cooking Time: Nil.

Serves 4.

Ingredients:

1 liter fat milk.

½ cup powdered sugar

10-12 peppercorns

a few saffron strands

To be ground into a fine powder ¼ cup almonds

2 tbsp poppy seeds (khus khus)

2 tbsp fennel seeds (sounf)

½ tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder

15-20 nos. white peppercorns

Method:

• Boil the milk and allow it to cool entirely.Keep aside.
• Add the ground powder and mix well.
• Refrigerate the mixture for 2 to 3 hrs.
• Filter the mixture through a sieve, add sugar, peppercorns and saffron and mix well.
• Serve chilled.