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Holi party drinks: thandai, sharbats and coolers

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Holi runs from morning to late lunch, and the drinks have to keep up with a crowd that is wet, colourful and hungry. Every drink here is alcohol-free, so the whole family can share one table. Start with thandai: the classic ground with almonds, fennel and pepper, a quick jug from thandai syrup, and versions with pistachio, mango, banana, rose and paan. Then come the jugs, each for four: rose sharbat, aam panna, jaljeera, khus, kala khatta orange, a watermelon sharbat and a fruit punch. Masala chaas goes with lunch, and barf gola is for the kids. Tap any drink for measures and steps.

The drinks

Questions

How much thandai do I need for 12 guests?

The Thandai jug serves 4 with 800 ml milk and 120 ml thandai syrup, so make it three times: 2.4 litres of milk and 360 ml of syrup. Chill it ahead and pour over ice as people come in from the colours.

Can I make thandai without thandai syrup?

Yes. The Classic Holi Thandai grinds 8 almonds, fennel seeds, black pepper and cardamom with a little milk, then mixes the paste into chilled milk with sugar and rose water. The Banarasi Pista Thandai does the same with pistachios, almonds and saffron.

Are all these drinks alcohol-free?

Yes. Every drink here is 0% alcohol, made from milk, yogurt, fruit, syrups and spices, so children and grandparents can share the same jugs.

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