There are hot chocolate mixes or other hot or cold milk shake or beverage mixes. And then there is the Indian version. Nuts, saffron, spices( yes fennel seeds, cardamom, poppy seeds!) and a chilled Kesar Pista milk shake. Hot summer drinks in India are generally water or mango based like spiced mango cooler (Panna), yogurt Lassi, or nutty drinks.
In this shake today, Pistachios, Saffron, spices and voila! Grind everything to a powdery consistency. Store in an airtight container. Blend with cold non dairy milk, chill for a few minutes and serve as is or with a dollop of whipped coconut cream! Ready within minutes whenever you need some and so good.
Saffron, cardamom, ginger, fennel and poppy seeds add a deep flavor to the mix. Pistachios by themselves are insanely delicious blended into non dairy milk. Add sugar to the mix or add sweetener of choice later.
Keep this one handy for a quick chilled Saffron Pistachio Milk Shake or as we call is Kesar Pista Masala Milk. This will also make fabulous ice cream. Blend the mix with full fat coconut milk, taste to adjust sweet and pour into an ice cream maker.
More beverages from the blog.
Kesar Pista Masala Milk Mix - Saffron Pistachio Beverage
Ingredients
- 2 tbsp raw pistachio
- 1 tbsp raw cashews
- 3 tbsp sugar or add sweetener of choice later
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) cinnamon
- 1/4 to 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
- 1/8 tsp (0.13 tsp) cloves
- 1/8 tsp (0.13 tsp) fennel seeds optional
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) ground ginger
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) black pepper
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) poppy seeds
- 8 to 10 strands of saffron
Instructions
- Grind the nuts to a coarse powder. Add sugar and the rest of the ingredients and grind until well blended.
- Store in an airtight container.
- Blend 2 Tbsp or more of the mix with a cup of non dairy milk. Use a blender. Taste and adjust sweet if needed. Chill the blended mixture for a few minutes so the saffron gets some time to infuse the drink. Serve as is or with a dollop of whipped coconut cream.
Notes
Add 1/4 tsp turmeric for color.
Add ice for iced masala milk.
Omit the sugar from the mix and use sweetener of choice when blending. Nutritional values based on one serving
Nutrition
Vidya says
April 29, 2015 at 2:40 pmAbsolutely love this!
Before I turned vegan I used to stuff my suitcase with Complan’s kesar badam powder whenever I visited India and brought it back to Canada with me. Can’t wait to make this vegan version at home 🙂 Thank you!
Richa says
April 29, 2015 at 4:48 pmawesome! let me know how it turns out!
Christine (The Raw Project) says
April 29, 2015 at 3:40 pmThis looks and sounds amazing, great spice blend. Thanks!
Cassie says
April 29, 2015 at 6:37 pmThis sounds amazing!
Nora says
April 29, 2015 at 8:47 pmDear Richa,
Looks divine ! Speaking of drinks, when I order tea and coffee I don’t like soy but that’s all the shops have. Should I just carry around my own kind of milk ? I don’t have time to make chai in the morning often.
Thanks,
Nora
Richa says
April 30, 2015 at 12:06 amHi Nora, It depends on the city and the coffee shops. Starbucks has coconut milk option now and some local shops around me also have other options. If that is not the case, then you might have to carry shelf stable packs of your preferred non dairy milk. I don’t drink coffee or tea much, so i havent run into that problem. Fruit smoothies or water work out great for me. 🙂
Audrey @ Unconventional Baker says
May 1, 2015 at 2:27 amOh, this sounds delicious, Richa! <3 I make pistachio rose water mylk sometimes, but never tried it with saffron yet.
Megha says
August 31, 2015 at 9:09 amTried this on the spur of the moment and it turned out fantastic. Have to admit that I used regular organic milk though *sheepish grin*.
Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe ! You have an amazing blog and personal story. Look forward to trying more recipes.
Wish you all the best. Cheers !
monika says
September 30, 2015 at 6:20 amif i am diabitac so can i use sugarfree or this drink is good for me
Richa says
September 30, 2015 at 11:23 amHi Monika, I am not sure if you can eat sugar or not. You can make the mix without sugar and use it and use sweeteners that are allowed. Please consult with a doctor.