Thandai

Summers are crazy, and heat makes it crazier. In summers people prefer to drinks cool things that helps to brings down their temperature. And one such drink is Thandai. The ingredients of Thandai give tremendous cooling and soothing effects in the blazing heat. Besides this, it also provides necessary nutrition to the body. Thandai gives tremendous relief to the tired body and mind and fills in the much required energy and freshness. It also relieves acidity, constipation and increases appetite.


Amount Ingredients

• 1 1/2 litres Water
• 2 cups Sugar
• 1 cup
• 1 tbsp Almonds
• 1 tbsp Watermelon seeds skinned
• 1/2 tbsp Khuskhus (Poppy seeds)
• 1/2 tbsp Saunf (Aniseed)
• 1/2 tsp Cardamom Powder
• 1/2 tsp Rosewater
• 1 tsp Whole peppercorns
• 1/4 cup Dried or fresh rose petals

Preparation

• Soak sugar in 1/2 litre of the water used. Keep aside.
• Wash clean all other dry ingredients, except cardamom if using powder.
• Soak in 2 cups of remaining water. Keep aside.
• Allow all soaked items to stand for at least 2 hours.
• Grind all soaked ingredients to a very fine paste. (not sugar)
• Use a stone grinder (manual or electric) if possible.
• When the paste is very fine, mix remaining water.
• Place a strong muslin strainer over a large deep vessel. Or tie a strong muslin cloth over rim of vessel and use to strain.
• Press through muslin with back of palms, extracting the liquid into vessel.
• Add remaining water, a little at a time to extract more.
• Pour back some of the extract and press, repress.
• Repeat this process till the residue becomes dry and husklike.
• Add milk, sugar and rosewater to the extracted liquid.
• If using cardamom powder mix it in with the milk.
• Mix well. Chill for a hour of two before serving.

For more info on Indian Cuisine, please seek :- http://www.cultural-heritage-india.com/arts_and_culture/cuisine.html