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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!
Hi Richa, I had this thandai at Kamini’s yesterday and its absolutely amazing. Interestingly, a day before, I had to have the cow milk version at Holi celebrations of a relative and I hated it. Infact I became quite sick after drinking it! This Thandai is an answer to all those people who still believe that vegans cant enjoy traditional Indian sweets, cruelty free!
That is Awesome! I know right.. its called Spiced Almond Milk when you tell anyone what thandai is… so it should be Spiced almond milk.. not cow milk:))
That first picture is amazing! Makes me want this drink right now! 🙂
Shirley
Thanks You Shirley! It is a slightly less authentic version of the traditional indian Thandai. Let me know if you do try it!
oooo this sounds so yum and refreshing; I am actaully picturing myself sipping on one now – in my mind it is so good!
The first photo looks like it is set a blaze; such a neat effect!
Thanks Heather.. I actually had only that much left to just about fit in one glass.. and dint know what to do with the picture..:)
Wow, this sounds incredible! I’m not very familiar with Indian dishes let alone drinks, but I see I’ve been missing out a lot…
Thanks Gourmantine. Hope you try some and love them!
Wow! Looks refreshing! I wonder what i could use instead of cashews…maybe some homemade yogurt…not sure i’ll get it to be as thick. But the spices seem interesting. 🙂
Thanks Lovlie! You can add any powdered nut.. or even oats.. though with oats, you should probably add them before serving else it will feel slimy. Or just make mix the ground spices with yogurt and let them infuse without blending the yogurt. and blend with more yogurt before serving!
Beautiful pics and a super-simple vegan recipe for thandai and lassi 🙂 Happy holi!
Thanks Swati.. Happy holi to u too!