What is the traditional drink of Holi?

What is the traditional drink of Holi? Thandai is the traditional drink most closely associated with Holi.

Thandai is a chilled Indian beverage made by blending milk with ingredients such as almonds, fennel seeds, cardamom, pepper, rose petals, saffron, sugar, and other nuts or seeds. Recipes vary by region and household, so there is no single fixed ingredient list.

The drink is especially associated with North Indian celebrations of Holi and is often served alongside sweets and snacks such as gujiya, dahi vada, and chaat. Its cooling character also suits the warm weather that accompanies the festival’s springtime celebrations.

A well-known variation is bhang thandai, which contains bhang, a cannabis preparation. It is not the same as ordinary thandai: regular versions contain no cannabis. Other modern variations include rose, mango, and almond-saffron thandai, but the classic festival association remains with the spiced milk drink.