To begin making the Thandai Recipe, we will first blanch the almonds. Click here to see a video recipe of how to Blanch Almonds.

Soak the almonds in hot water for about 10 minutes. After 10 minutes of soaking, peel the skin of the almonds and keep aside to make the Thandai.

Add the blanched almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, cinnamon, fennel seeds cardamom, black pepper and poppy seeds into a blender.

Add a 1/4 cup of milk and grind the dry fruits into a fine paste. This is the Thandai Spice Mixture and it tastes absolutely delicious and you can store it in the refrigerator to make a thandai drink anytime. 

In a heavy bottom saucepan; add milk and saffron. Bring the milk mixture to a boil.

When the milk begins to boil add sugar and simmer stirring continuously till the sugar melts. 

Add in the thandai spice mixture into the milk and simmer for another 5 minutes. Turn off the heat and allow the thandai  to cool and refrigerate. 

Serve the Thandai chilled for the festival of holi or Maha shivratri.  In addition, you can also flavor it with Bhang and make a Bhang Thandai for the festival of Holi.

Serve the Thandai chilled for the festival of Holi or Maha shivratri or simple as a Party Drink when you have friends and family over.