Thandai Powder is an aromatic and flavorful spice blend used to make the classic Indian summer drink Thandai. It is made by blending nuts and aromatic spices like saffron, rose petals, fennel seeds, etc. This homemade spice mix is easy to make and healthier than store-bought.
Traditionally enjoyed during Holi and Maha Shivratri, Thandai is a cooling, digestive-friendly beverage enriched with almonds, fennel seeds, cardamom, saffron, and rose petals. This instant Recipe of Thandai Powder can be stored for weeks, allowing you to whip up a refreshing Thandai drink in minutes—just mix it with chilled milk and enjoy!
Try my other Holi recipes this festival season, including Dahi Bhalla, Punjabi Samosa, Paneer Tikka, Gujiya, and Bread Pakora. Also, try my other Punjabi Garam Masala Recipe and Chai Masala recipe.
ABOUT THANDAI
Thandai is a refreshing, spiced, milk-based drink from North India. It is traditionally consumed during Holi and Maha Shivratri. Made using a unique blend of nuts, seeds, and aromatic spices, it is known for its cooling, digestive, and energizing properties.
The name "Thandai" comes from the Hindi word "Thanda," meaning calm, highlighting its ability to provide relief from the summer heat. The drink is naturally nutrient-rich, thanks to ingredients like almonds, poppy seeds, fennel, saffron, and rose petals, which enhance the flavor and offer health benefits such as improved digestion, hydration, and immunity.
Why Will You Like This Recipe?
- A Festive Favorite – Served during Holi, Maha Shivratri, and Indian weddings.
- Natural Body Cooler – Perfect for hot summer days, keeping the body refreshed.
- Nutritious & Energizing – Packed with protein, healthy fats, and antioxidants.
- Digestive & Immunity-Boosting—This supplement contains fennel, cardamom, black pepper, and saffron, which are known for their medicinal properties.
- Customizable Variations – Can be made vegan, sugar-free, or infused with flavors like rose or mango.
INGREDIENTS
Each ingredient in Thandai powder plays a vital role in enhancing its flavor, aroma, and health benefits:
Nuts & Seeds:
- Almonds - Almonds add a creamy texture, boost energy, and are rich in healthy fats.
- Cashews – Enhances the richness and gives a smooth feel in the mouth.
- Pistachios – Adds a subtle nutty sweetness and vibrant color.
- Melon Seeds – A natural coolant that aids digestion and improves hydration.
- Poppy Seeds (Khus Khus) – Provides a mildly nutty flavor and cooling effect.
Aromatic Spices:
- Fennel Seeds (Saunf) – Refreshing and aids digestion, giving Thandai its unique aroma.
- Black Peppercorns – Add a slight heat that balances the sweetness.
- Cardamom (Elaichi) Powder – Infuses a fragrant, sweet, and floral aroma.
- Dried Rose Petals – Enhance the floral notes and provide natural cooling properties.
- Saffron (Kesar) – Gives a royal touch, adding richness and a golden hue.
See recipe card for quantities.
INSTRUCTIONS
Blend Nuts:
- Step 1: Take a dry pan and roast cashews, almonds, and pistachios for 2-3 minutes at low heat. Allow them to cool. Transfer them to a spice blender or food processor.
- Step 2: Blend them finely or lighly coarse and transfer them to a bowl.
Blend Spices:
- Step 3: In a dry pan, dry roast melon seeds, fennel seeds, cardamom, black peppercorns, and poppy seeds at low heat. Allow them to cool. Transfer them to a spice blender or food processor.
- Step 4: Blend them finely or lighly coarse and transfer them to a bowl.
5 Step 5: Add nuts powder and blended spices in a bowl.
6 Step 6: Mix bleded nuts and spices until well combined.
Hint: Store in an airtight container, such as Mason Jars, which are said to last at least three weeks.
How to Make Thai using Thandai Powder
- Take a high-speed blender and add 2 cups of milk of your choice. You can use whole, fat-free, almond, oat, cashew, etc.
- Then add 2 tablespoons of Thandai Masala, sugar or Jaggery, and ice cubes, and close the lid of the blender. Blend the ingredients until they are well combined.
- Pour into glasses, garnish with chopped pistachios, a pinch of saffron, and crushed rose petals, and enjoy!
Equipment
You can use a spice blender or a high-speed blender like a Vitamix. You can also add all the ingredients to a food processor and blend everything until coarse.
Storage
Proper storage is essential to retain the aroma, flavor, and nutritional benefits of homemade Thandai powder. Follow these tips to keep it fresh for months!
- Store in a dry, airtight container for extended storage.
- Keep it in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight, such as the kitchen pantry or cabinet.
- If you live in a humid climate, try storing Thandai Masala in the refrigerator to extend its shelf life.
You can store the Thandai mix at room temperature for up to 2 months. You can keep it in the refrigerator for 4-5 months. For long-term storage, store in the freezer for up to 6 months in freezer-safe bags or containers.
EXPERT TIPS
Follow these pro tips to make an authentic, flavorful, long-lasting Thandai Powder Recipe at home!
- Always use fresh nuts, seeds, and whole spices for maximum flavor.
- Lightly dry roast the nuts and spices before grinding to intensify their aroma and remove excess moisture. Let them cool completely before blending to prevent clumping.
- Pulse-grind in short bursts to avoid overheating and releasing excess oil from the nuts. You can also blend nuts and spices separately in the next batch.
- Keep the Thandai powder in a dry, airtight glass jar to retain its freshness. Store in a cool, dark place or refrigerate for extended shelf life.
- You can customize the Thandai Masala by adding more rose petals for a floral twist, using jaggery instead of sugar, or using cocoa powder and vanilla syrup for a fusion.
FAQ
Yes! You can prepare sugar-free Thandai powder and add Jaggery, honey, or a sweetener when making the drink.
Yes! You can use Thandai powder to flavor:
1. Kulfi & ice creams
2. Smoothies & shakes
3. Lassi & yogurt-based drinks
4. Indian sweets like kheer & rabri
5. Cakes & desserts for a fusion twist
If exposed to moisture, Thandai powder may clump. To prevent this:
1. Store in a dry, airtight container.
2. Avoid using a wet spoon.
3. Refrigerate in humid climates.
Yes! For a vegan-friendly version, mix Thandai powder with plant-based milk like almond, oat, or coconut milk.
Yes! Homemade Thandai powder is free from preservatives, artificial colors, and excess sugar, ensuring better taste, freshness, and health benefits.
Related
Looking for other Holi recipes like this? Try these:
THANDAI POWDER
Equipment
Ingredients
- ½ cup Almond
- ⅓ cup Cashews
- ⅓ cup Pistachios
- 2 tablespoon Melon Seeds
- 2 tablespoon Poppy Seeds
- 2 tablespoon Fennel Seeds
- 1 tablespoon Green Cardamom
- 1.5 teaspoon Black Peppercorns
- 2 tablespoon Rose Petals
- ¼ teaspoon Saffron
Thandai Drink:
- 2 cups Milk
- 2 teaspoon Sugar or Jaggery
- 2 tablespoon Thandai Masala
- 1 tablespoon Pistachios chopped
- 1 pinch Saffron
- 1 teaspoon Rose Petals crushed
- 1 tablespoon Rose Water
Instructions
Thandai Powder:
- Dry roast all the nuts including almonds, cashews, and pistachios at low-heat for 1-2 minutes. Then dry roast green cardamom, black peppercorns, fennel seeds, poppy seeds, and melon seeds at low heat for 1-2 minutes. Let them cool down completely.½ cup Almond, ⅓ cup Cashews, ⅓ cup Pistachios, 2 tablespoon Melon Seeds, 2 tablespoon Poppy Seeds, 2 tablespoon Fennel Seeds, 1 tablespoon Green Cardamom, 1.5 teaspoon Black Peppercorns
- Then add all the ingredients of thandai masala including nuts, spices, saffron, and rose petals in the spice grinder. Blend everything until coarse or fine, if you prefer. (Note: If not blending properly, then work in batches. Blend nuts first and then blend the spices.2 tablespoon Rose Petals, ¼ teaspoon Saffron
- Store it in an air-tight container and use it to make thandai.
Thandai Recipe:
- Add milk in a high-speed blender. Add some ice cubes, if you prefer. Add sugar or jaggery, rose water, and thandai masala. Blend it until well combined. (Note: You can let it sit for 10-15 minutes before serving to infuse all the flavors in the milk).2 cups Milk, 2 teaspoon Sugar, 2 tablespoon Thandai Masala, 1 tablespoon Rose Water
- Garnish the thandai with chopped pistachios, saffron, and rose petals; and enjoy!1 tablespoon Pistachios, 1 pinch Saffron, 1 teaspoon Rose Petals
Video
Notes
- Store in a dry, air-tight container for long storage.
- Keep it in a cool and dry place and away from direct sunlight, like in the kitchen pantry or kitchen cabinet.
- Try to store it in the refrigerator if you live in a humid climate to extend the shelf life of Thandai Masala.
Sunny says
amazing ! love the taste !