How to make thandai masala at home: Easy summer drink recipe

The guide explains how to make thandai masala at home with nuts, seeds and spices. It highlights freshness, easy storage and the drink's cooling summer benefits.

In Short

• Thandai combines nuts, seeds and spices into a cooling milk-based drink
• Soaking almonds, cashews and seeds helps soften them and deepen flavour
• The dried mixture is ground with fennel, cardamom, pepper and rose

As temperatures soar, nothing feels more refreshing than a chilled glass of thandai. This traditional Indian drink is not just cooling but also packed with nutrients from nuts, seeds, and aromatic spices. Making thandai masala at home ensures freshness, purity, and a flavour that’s far superior to store-bought mixes.

Here’s a simple, step-by-step guide to prepare thandai powder at home.

WHAT IS THANDAI MASALA?

Thandai masala is a fragrant blend of dry fruits, seeds, and spices that is mixed with milk to make a cooling summer drink. It is especially popular during festivals like Holi, but it’s also perfect for beating the heat in everyday life.

INGREDIENTS YOU WILL NEED

• 1 cup almonds
• 1 cup cashews
• 2 tbsp pistachios
• 2 tbsp melon seeds (magaz)
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds (khus khus)
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds (saunf)
• 5–6 green cardamoms
• 8–10 black peppercorns
• 1 tbsp dried rose petals
• 1 small piece of cinnamon
• A few strands of saffron (optional)
• Sugar (optional, for sweetness)

STEP-BY-STEP METHOD

1. SOAK THE INGREDIENTS

Soak almonds, cashews, pistachios, melon seeds, and poppy seeds in water for 4–5 hours or overnight. This softens them and enhances the flavour.

2. PEEL AND DRAIN

Peel the almonds and drain all soaked ingredients properly.

3. DRY THE INGREDIENTS

Let them air dry completely or pat dry with a clean cloth to remove excess moisture.

4. GRIND INTO A POWDER

Add all the soaked and dried ingredients along with fennel seeds, cardamom, black pepper, cinnamon, and rose petals into a grinder. Blend into a fine powder.

5. ADD SAFFRON AND STORE

Mix in saffron strands and store the masala in an airtight container. Keep it refrigerated for longer freshness.

HOW TO MAKE THANDAI DRINK

• Take 1 glass of chilled milk
• Add 1–2 teaspoons of thandai masala
• Mix well or blend for a smoother texture
• Add sugar or honey as per taste
• Garnish with chopped nuts and rose petals
• Serve cold and enjoy a refreshing summer drink.

HEALTH BENEFITS OF THANDAI

• COOLS THE BODY: Ingredients like fennel and rose petals help reduce body heat
• BOOSTS ENERGY: Nuts provide essential nutrients and healthy fats
• AIDS DIGESTION: Spices like cardamom and pepper support gut health
• IMPROVES IMMUNITY: Packed with antioxidants and minerals

TIPS FOR BEST RESULTS

Always use fresh, good-quality nuts and spices

Store in an airtight container to retain aroma

Avoid adding moisture while grinding

Adjust spice levels according to your taste

Homemade thandai masala is a perfect blend of taste and health. Easy to prepare and versatile, it can instantly elevate your summer drinks. Skip the packaged versions and try making your own for a fresher, richer experience this season.

- Ends