Thandai: Maha Shivaratri Special

Prep time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: Nil
Approx. 6 servings

Ingredients:
Cold milk (whole milk) – 3 cups
Sugar – 1.5 cup
poppy seeds (khuskhus) – 1 tbsp
Almonds – 12
Saffron (kesar) – 10-12 strands
Aniseed (saunf) – 1 tbsp
Melon seeds (char magaz)  - 1 tbsp
Peppercorns (kali mirch whole) – 8
Cardamom powder (elaichi) – 1 tsp
Rose water - 1 tsp
Water – 3 cups

  

Method:

• Soak almonds, melon seeds, aniseed, poppy seeds and peppercorns in half of the water for couple of hours.
• Finely grind all the soaked ingredients, using little water.
• Tie this paste in a muslin cloth and extract the juices as much as possible.
• The extract is then mixed with milk, remaining water, sugar, saffron, cardamom powder and rose water.
• Mix well few times.
• Serve chilled.

Enjoy this soothing chilled drink on Maha Shivratri, Holi or any summer evening.