Nothing wrong with having a glass of thandai now and then. Actually, there are times when that’s all you need for the moment. You can totally serve it to your guests as well, but with a slight twist, it’ll seem like you spent more time and put more effort into it, even if that really wasn’t the case. Besides, changing the recipe is not the point here; adding some nice garnishing is. Guruji thandai gives you an easy starting point, and from there, it’s really just a matter of picking a topping or two.
1. Try Saffron For A Richer Finish
Saffron doesn’t need to be used by the handful. Four or five strands are plenty for a small batch. Put them in a tablespoon of warm milk and leave them for around 5–10 minutes. The milk should take on a yellowish colour before you stir it into the chilled thandai. Give it a good mix and have a quick taste. If the saffron flavour is strong enough, stop there.
You can also put one saffron strand on top of each glass when serving. It’s a tiny thing, but it makes the drink look like you’ve made more effort than you actually have. If you’re ordering saffron through an online grocery delivery app, a small pack will do the job.
2. Add More Almonds And Pistachios
If you love the nutty flavour of thandai, feel free to go ahead and put a lot of it in your drink. Simply grind almonds and pistachios and sprinkle them on your drink. The pieces must be of a size which doesn’t compel you to chew them while drinking your beverage.
Do you want your drink to have an added flavour of nuttiness? Then soak around five to six almonds for some hours, remove their skin, and grind them with a little bit of milk. Add the mixture of almonds and milk to the thandai. This makes the drink not only thicker but also enhances the nutty taste more completely.
3. Add A Few Rose Petals
For something that takes almost no effort, edible dried rose petals are an easy choice. Just add a small pinch to each glass. You’ll get a light floral smell and a nice bit of colour on top. There is one important detail here: use petals that are clearly sold as edible or food-grade. Roses bought simply for decoration may have been treated with products that aren’t meant for eating.
Let People Mix And Match
If you’re making thandai for a group, don’t make three separate versions. Make a batch and keep the toppings in small bowls. One person can take the saffron, while another can put in pistachios, and yet another person can keep it plain. Guruji thandai goes very well even without the topping, so it’s easy to change things up if you want to.
Keep The Extras Handy
All you require is saffron, almonds, pistachios, and rose petals. In case any of these are missing from your pantry, you can procure them via the online grocery delivery app with other groceries. Instamart is one option for ordering groceries and essentials, depending on what’s available in your area.
No complicated techniques, no long ingredient list — just three small changes to make your usual thandai a little more interesting.
