I used to drink “health drinks” for a significant part of my life. My day started with them. Mix a couple of tablespoons of it into warm milk and I got a good jolt of energy from it. I loved eating them straight out of a jar too! I tried many flavors of one particular brand for years and years.

For the last few years, I have been looking to make a health drink mix at home. Something that I could prep once and store for a month or two, if need be in the fridge, mix it in milk and drink to feel energized. Something healthy and nutritious and totally customizable to suit my tastes. If you are looking for a good nutty, spicy, warming, filling drink, look no further!

Ingredients

• Almonds – 1/4 cup
• Cashews – 1/4 cup
• Unsalted pistachios – 1/4 cup
• Pumpkin seeds – 1/4 cup
• Nutmeg grated – 2 tsp
• Black pepper – 1/4 tsp
• Saffron – 1/4 tsp
• Saunf/Fennel – 1/4 tsp
• Turmeric powder – 1/4 tsp
• Dried rose petals – 1 tbsp
• Mishri/Cane sugar – 5 tbsp
• Cardamom – 6-7 (we get large sized ones where I live. Feel free to up it to 10 cardamoms)

Method

• On low heat, dry roast the almonds, cashews, pistas and pumpkin seeds for about 5- 7 minutes

• Remove them to a plate once toasted. Turn off the flame and on the residual heat of the pan, toast saffron. Takes about 15-20 seconds for it to turn a darker shade.
• Cool them on top of the nuts.
• To a mixer grinder jar, add the nutmeg, saunf, cardamom pods (pods only), turmeric, mishri/cane sugar, rose petals and pepper.
• Once the nuts and saffron cool down to room temperature, add them to the mixer jar
• Grind them to a powdery consistency. You may find some small pieces of nuts, but that is absolutely fine. Do not overgrind them, the nuts may start releasing oil.
• And voila! There’s the health mix ready!
• Store in a container of choice and pop it into the refrigerator. It will stay well for about 2 months (if you have not consumed it until then)

To consume this, you can add about 2-3 tbsp of this mix to either chilled or warm milk. Add more sugar if required.

This is truly a treat to the senses! It smells great and tastes equally wonderful! The spices come through beautifully, all of them! The nuts add a great texture. I love small pieces of nuts that I can bite into occasionally! Oh and also, if you are looking to make rabri, you can add this mix into it for that extra flavor. Many uses for this mix, my friends!

I really hope you enjoy making this and savoring it as we do here.