Food plays an important role in festivals, especially ones as energetic and colourful as Holi. This Holi 2025, I’ve got Holi Special Thandais, which is also known as Sardai and will keep you hydrated for long hours. Thandai drinks can be made in various flavours and are popular during Holi celebrations.

And, the Holi 2025 date will make it more fun as it is happening in the last week of March bringing such cool drinks more in demand among guests. As much as the Holi 2025 date is awaited for being one of the popular ones in India, our astrologer friends are discussing this festival too because of the Lunar Eclipse happening on the same date.

So if you are worried about the Holi 2025 date falling on the same day as the Lunar Eclipse, worry not! Because this eclipse will not be visible in India. So, let’s just relax and concentrate on the festival anyway. 🙂

Talk about the traditional vibes with those peppy numbers playing out loud, it’s more fun to enjoy traditional drinks than the usual ones! Plus, thandai can be served to any age group. For those who may not know, thandai is a traditional Indian beverage and is popular widely for its delectable flavors during festivals like Holi and Shivratri.

The drink contains almonds, fennel seeds, megastar seeds (watermelon kernel), rose petals, pepper, cardamom, saffron, milk, and sugar.

Here are some delicious Holi thandai recipes you can make for your Holi party:

This delicious thandai recipe is the perfect refreshment for Holi 2025 celebrations. Savour its buttery, nutty, and rich flavours, adding a touch of luxury to your festive celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup mixed nuts (Almonds, cashew nuts, pistachios, watermelon seeds, poppy seeds, green cardamoms, cinnamon, and peppercorns), soaked overnight
• 1 litre milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp rose water
• A few saffron strands
• Chopped mixed nuts for garnishing

Instructions:

• Rinse the soaked mixed nuts.
• Grind them to a smooth paste consistency.
• Add milk, sugar, cardamom powder, fennel seeds, and black pepper powder to the blender and blend until well combined.
• Add the rose water and saffron strands to the blender and blend for a few more seconds.
• Cool the thandai for a few hours and serve it after garnishing with chopped mixed nuts on the top.

As someone who loves experimenting with flavors, I’ve found that this thandai can instantly lift the mood. It’s the ultimate chilled fusion for the Holi season. This flavorful beverage is made with cardamom, fennel seeds, khus, nuts, Assam tea, and other delicious ingredients. It can be an instant mood improver.

Ingredients:

• 4 cups water
• 4 black tea bags
• 1/2 cup sugar (adjust according to taste)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup thandai syrup
• Ice cubes
• Mint leaves for garnish
• 1/4 cup almonds
• 1/4 cup cashews
• 1/4 cup pistachios
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp saffron strands

Instructions:

• To make the thandai syrup, soak the almonds, cashews, and pistachios in water for about 1-2 hours. Drain and grind them to a fine paste with a little bit of milk.
• In a saucepan, heat the milk and sugar until the sugar dissolves. Add the ground nut paste, cardamom powder, and saffron strands to the saucepan and cook on low heat until the mixture thickens and becomes fragrant. Let it cool after removing it from the heat.
• In a separate pot, boil the water and steep the tea bags for 3-5 minutes. Let the tea get cool after removing the tea bags.
• In a large pitcher, combine the cooled tea, sugar, milk, and thandai syrup. Mix well.
• Add ice cubes and stir again.
• Pour the iced tea Thandai into individual glasses and garnish with mint leaves.
• Serve chilled and enjoy your refreshing and flavorful beverage!

Read more: https://www.beingmomandmore.com/21-ten-minutes-recipe-for-holi-2023/

It’s simply natural for you to need some fuel in the middle of all the Holi play, chat, and nonstop singing and dancing to keep your energy levels from dropping. We’ll find the goodness of Almonds, flavorful spices, and seeds high in protein in this delightful and cooling thandai recipe to fill you with energy so you can’t miss any fun on Holi this year.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds, soaked overnight
• 1 litre milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
• 1/2 tsp black pepper powder
• 1/2 tsp rose water
• A few saffron strands
• Chopped pistachios for garnishing

Instructions:

• Drain and peel the soaked almonds.
• Blend the almonds to a smooth paste.
• Add the milk, sugar, cardamom powder, fennel seeds, and black pepper powder to the blender and blend until well combined.
• Add the rose water and saffron strands to the blender and blend for a few more seconds.
• Let the thandai cool for a few hours.
• Serve the thandai cold, garnished with chopped pistachios.

For those who aren’t quite ready to bid guavas farewell, here’s one Holi thandai that is full of guava flavour and is wholesome, rich, and packed with nuts and aromatic seasonings. Let’s try this marvelous thandai recipe to surprise our loved ones this Holi.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups guava pulp (fresh or canned)
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup water
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp thandai masala
• A few strands of saffron
• 1 tbsp chopped pistachios
• 1 tbsp chopped almonds
• Ice cubes

Instructions:

• Blend the guava pulp until it turns into a smooth puree.
• In a large mixing bowl, combine the guava puree, milk, and water. Mix well.
• Add the sugar, thandai masala, and saffron to the mixture. Stir until the sugar has dissolved.
• Refrigerate the mixture for at least 1 hour to allow the flavours to meld together.
• When ready to serve, stir the mixture well and pour it into glasses filled with ice cubes.
• Garnish with chopped pistachios and almonds.
• Enjoy your refreshing Guava Thandai!

This one is especially for my vegan friends! A treat for the spirit is soy milk boiled with the Thandai spice blend of cardamom, fennel seeds, and dry fruits, creating a comforting and indulgent treat to perfectly enhance our Holi 2025 celebrations.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup soy milk
• 1/4 cup almonds, soaked overnight and peeled
• 1/4 cup cashews, soaked for 30 minutes
• 1/4 cup pistachios, soaked for 30 minutes
• 2 tablespoons poppy seeds, soaked for 30 minutes
• 1 tablespoon fennel seeds
• 1 tablespoon cardamom powder
• 1 tablespoon rose water
• 1/4 cup honey or sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon saffron threads
• 4 cups water

Instructions:

• In a blender, grind the almonds, cashews, pistachios, and poppy seeds into a smooth paste.
• Mix the paste with soy milk, fennel seeds, cardamom powder, rose water, and honey or sugar.
• Add the 4-5 saffron threads to 1/4 cup of hot water and let it come to a boil. Then, mix it with the other ingredients.
• Stir the mixture well to mix the sugar completely.
• Cover the bowl with a lid and let it sit in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight.
• When ready to serve, add 4 cups of water to the mixture and stir well.
• Serve chilled.

How will you feel when a Holi dessert is combined with thandai drinks? Similar to this thandai phirni, it also gives birth to another cooking marvel. This easy and rich dessert combines milk’s luscious sweetness with almonds, pistachios, cashew nuts, and a tonne of spices.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup rice
• 4 cups milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup thandai syrup
• A pinch of saffron strands
• 1 cup chopped nuts (almonds, cashews and pistachios)
• A few rose petals for garnish

Instructions:

• Wash the rice soak it for 30 min and grind it to a thick paste.
• Boil milk once in a heavy-bottomed deep pan, then reduce it to half on low heat for 10-15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Cook the thick rice paste in the milk until the mixture thickens. To avoid lumps, constantly stir them.
• Cook for another 5-7 minutes, or until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens further, with the sugar, thandai syrup, and saffron strands (4-5 approx.).
• Turn the heat off and let it cool down in a fridge for 2hrs
• Once the phirni is set, sprinkle chopped mixed nuts on top and garnish with rose petals.
• Serve chilled Holi thandai

Kanji Thandai, made with black carrots, mustard powder, and water, is a perfect mood lifter for Holi 2025. This proves to be the best thandai recipe, if you are lactose reluctant and still want to enjoy the Holi fever on its top-notch.

Ingredients:

• 1 kg black carrots
• 1 tbsp mustard powder
• 1 tbsp red chilli powder
• 1 tbsp salt
• Water

Instructions:

• Wash and peel the black carrots thoroughly. Cut them into small pieces and place them in a large jar or airtight container.
• add mustard powder, red chilli powder, and salt to the jar. Combine thoroughly.
• Pour enough water into the jar to completely cover the carrots. Shake the closed jar vigorously.
• Keep the container in a warm location for 3-4 days. Kanji Thandai will be ready to drink after 3-4 days.
• Strain the liquid and Serve the Kanji Thandai chilled. You can also season with fresh mint leaves or lemon juice.

So now you know the Holi 2025 date, let’s raise a toast to the festive spirit with every sip you have of these thandais. I wish you all a joyous and colourful celebration ahead of time!

We generally need sugar in almost everything, besides what is salt based.

Most of the temptations come with sugar and so harm you if taken in excess in prolonged time.

If that’s what you feel too, I think these 5 alternatives will surely help.

Lets begin with How Does the Table Sugar or White Sugar affects!

Keep reading and ensure a wholesome, nutritional, less harmful, and sweetening experience!

I’ll be with you on the following highlights:

• Gur (Jaggery)
• Naariyal cheenee (Coconut Sugar)
• Khand (Muscovado Sugar)
• Kuja Mishri (Rock Sugar)
• Shahad (Raw Honey)

Without further ado, let’s get one step closer to ensuring a better and healthier life with sweet benefits.

Read on to know them.

1.  Jaggery or Gur

Jaggery is known to be a medicinal, natural sugar product. As per my knowledge, the Indian Ministry of Commerce and Industry made it clear that more than 70% of jaggery in the world comes from India, and people here refer to Jaggery as a medicinal sugar. I use jaggery as medicine at my house whenever needed, and after knowing its benefits, you’ll find it just as wonderful.

Benefits

•  Jaggery has a magnesium content that may contribute to the reduction of stress and muscle relaxation.
•  It helps in purifying blood and also manages serious diseases like jaundice.
•  Calcium is present and helps improve our bone health.
•  Zinc, with other minerals, plays its part as an immunity booster.
•  If we consume jaggery in a moderate amount, this medicinal sugar helps manage stomach pain, constipation, and digestion.

2.  Coconut Sugar

As a conscious woman who values natural choices for her family’s well-being, I discovered coconut sugar is a better Indian alternative to white sugar.

Benefits

• We get potassium and vitamin C benefits.
• It also has inulin (not insulin), a natural indigestible fiber that acts as a prebiotic in the gut.
• Help maintain optimal levels of blood glucose and energy.
  100% organically grown, and is unrefined, which means we get essential nutrients.
• Has a lower glycemic index if we compare it to regular sugar available on the market.
• Provides iron, copper, magnesium, calcium, and antioxidant benefits.
• Along with lowering the chances of blood sugar spikes, it also contains inulin.

Read more: https://encr.pw/crkmY

3. Muscovado Sugar or Khand 

Khand, or Muscovado sugar in English, is formulated using only cold-pressed raw cane juice. I found out that Khand is a popular sugar alternative in India that retains beneficial molasses, unlike refined sugar.

Benefits

• Desi Khand, or Muscovado sugar, retains natural molasses in a higher amount, making it a better alternative to white sugar by increasing nutrients like potassium, iron, and calcium.
• It has a low glycemic index that may help slow blood sugar spikes compared to other refined sugar options.
• The amount of molasses present determines if it is light or dark. If it’s darker, it means it contains more molasses.
• Khand includes Vitamins such as A, B1, C, B2, B3, B5 and B6.
• It has an abundance of antioxidants, soluble fiber, and proteins with other beneficial compounds.

4. Rock Sugar or Kuja Mishri

Kuja Mishri, or rock sugar, contains sucrose and some elements that aid in breaking down fructose and sugar. Sometimes I use this too! It is equally sweet and less harmful than traditional white sugar, which is ruining our lives.

Benefits

• Helps improve our hemoglobin levels.
• A healthy substitute for refined sugar and is considered a better option than white sugar.
• Improves blood circulation and is used in some drugs used to treat anemia.
• It helps manage weight for overweight people.
• Serves as an energy booster and is also useful for lactating mothers

However, diabetic patients should avoid rock sugar.

Read more: https://beingmomandmore.com/lemon-juice-recipe-2024/

5. Raw Honey or Shahad

Raw honey, or Shahad in Hindi, is another healthy Indian alternative to white sugar. It is a yummy Indian alternative to sugar that I love and add occasionally to my family’s diet.

Compared to regular honey, which contains harmful artificial sweeteners, raw honey has healthy plant-based compounds. Raw honey has nutritional benefits that ensure various health benefits.

Benefits of Raw Honey:

• Raw honey is a good antioxidant source that helps protect our body from possible cell damage.
• It contains various nutrients that contribute to our overall well-being.
• Help nourish good bacteria in the intestines, which are essential for digestion and overall health.
• Soothes sour throat and cough issues
  The polyphenols in honey help with brain memory and cognitive function.

Takeaways

To sum up, finding a healthy alternative to white sugar has been quite a task for me. As a woman, I understand how important it is to ensure our family’s well-being. So, to balance sweetness with your health, opt for any of the mentioned Indian alternatives to sugar and ensure that you enjoy the sweetness in life.

This healthy switch not only solves your problem of the challenges to cutting out traditional and common white sugar totally but also provides various health benefits.