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Thandai is a spiced almond milk served during the festival of Holi. Creamy and refreshing, it is vegan and gluten free.
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Hope you all had a colorful and safe Holi. More about Holi and sweets and savories made during the festival on the previous post.
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Thandai is a drink served during the festival. The poppy seeds and other spices in the drink cause a cooling/freshening effect after drinking it. The onset of Spring in North India usually means a good amount of heat. So this is the drink to help with the changing weather!
Thandai is usually made with full fat milk and ground almonds. This is a quick and more delicious version of the Thandai. No straining or cooking needed! Make some spice, add ground cashew and some chilled Almond Milk!
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I also made some Thandai Lassi! Lassi is usually made by blending yogurt with water until frothy, and made sweet or savory. This Lassi is made with Coconut Milk Yogurt and the Thandai spices. Use spices and sweet to preference.
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Thandai (Spiced Almond Milk) and Thandai Lassi (Yogurt Drink). vegan glutenfree
a spiced almond milk served during the festival of Holi. Creamy and refreshing, it is vegan and gluten free.
Ingredients Â
Ground spice mix
- 1/8 tsp cardamom powder or 1 green cardamom
- 1/2 tsp poppy seeds
- 1/8 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 black peppercorns
- 1/4 tsp saffron
- a few dry watermelon seeds
Dry grind
- 1/4 cup raw cashews as fine as possible.
Thandai:
- 1/2 cup Almond milk
- 1 cup more almond milk
- 1.5-2 Tablespoons raw sugar
- Garnish with chopped pistachios and a few saffron strands
Lassi:
- 1/2 cup almond milk
- 1/2-3/4 cup of non dairy yogurt
- 1/2 cup of water
- 1.5 Tablespoons raw sugar
InstructionsÂ
Thandai:
- In a blender, add the ground cashew and spice mix, add 1/2 cup Almond milk and blend well until smooth.
- Add about 1 cup more almond milk and raw sugar as needed (1.5-2 Tablespoons raw sugar or maple or dates). Blend and chill for at least an hour, to let the spices infuse in the drink.
- Give it a mix before serving. Garnish with chopped pistachios and a few saffron strands.
- If you have rose water or pistachio essence, add some to taste.
Lassi:
- In a blender, add the ground cashew and spice mix, add 1/2 cup almond milk. Blend well until smooth. Refrigerate for at least an hour so the spices can infuse the almond milk.
- To the chilled spice and almond milk mix, Add 1/2-3/4 cup of non dairy yogurt and 1/2 cup of water(less or more to preference for lassi consistency), 1.5 Tablespoons raw sugar or to taste, and blend. Add more or less water for needed consistency of Lassi. Serve immediately!
Notes
For a larger batch of the spice mix. Dry grind and keep in airtight container, refrigerated for a few days. 1/2 tsp cardamom powder or 2-3 green cardamom(elaichi) 2 tsp poppy seeds (khus khus) 1 tsp fennel seeds (saunf) 5-6 black peppercorns( kali mirch) 3/4 tsp saffron (kesar) 1 teaspoon watermelon seeds(magaj)
Nutritional values based on one serving of Thandai
Nutrition
Calories: 170kcal, Carbohydrates: 15g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 1g, Sodium: 246mg, Potassium: 106mg, Fiber: 1g, Sugar: 10g, Calcium: 241mg, Iron: 1.2mg
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Did you make this recipe? Rate and comment below!
What a wonderful lassi recipe! I love the photo of the lassi with the orange background. I may give this a try — minus the fennel. Would that ruin it?
Thanks Andrea..I dont think anything can ruin a lassi:) i mean i can drink this with just some saffron and cardamom. Do let me know when you try it!
Oh my gosh!!! This is so awesome! I love cardamom, poppy seeds, fennel, cashews… would never have put them in a drink though. So good!
Thanks Hannah! put them in and try it!:)
Oh this sounds so good, I love almond milk! The addition of the cardamom sounds so delicious:-) I have never heard of watermelon seeds being consumed, that is intriguing:-) Sending hugs, Terra
This drink sounds like a real treat! And I agree, your pictures are mouthwatering!
Oh wow- that first pic is absolutely gorgeous! This looks yum…
Come summer and I make this huge quantity or Thandai to drink every other time 🙂
Richa, this looks so good, love the photography also. Where do you get the coconut milk yogurt? Is it possible to make your own?
I usually get the Turtle mountain SoDelicious Coconut mill yogurt from whole foods. I think it should be available in smaller stores too.
To make your own with canned coconut milk see https://www.lexieskitchen.com/lexies_kitchen/2011/10/4/dairy-free-coconut-milk-yogurt-recipe.html
i havent tried it yet. some friends in india just add some live cultures to the thick coconut milk and it works just like regular yogurt.
I have had the milk version of this drink before. The Yogurt version sounds so cooling to the stomach and the mind. Shall try it soon.
Thanks for dropping by.. Yes the yogurt version is lighter and if you like lassi.. you like it even more:)
This looks delicious..Totally YUMMY
Aarthi
https://www.yummytummyaarthi.com/
first of all, i love the idea of celebrating holi. i think i will celebrate next year, and DEFINITELY make this drink and gulp it down in a matter of seconds. the spice mix sounds absolutely delicious. i may make it this weekend..i just can’t wait until next year!
Thats what we did.. You can try with less spice first.. since the poppy seeds together with the pepper has quite a strong cooling spice effect!:) I also froze some today to dig into a tub later!:)