Refreshing Indian drink Thandai is made with nuts saffron rose water fennel seeds cardamom peppercorns! It is a refreshing summer drink popular in India and is always served during festivals of Holi and also Mahashivratri. Its also known as Shardai.. It is made using a number of nuts and spices which are said to have a cooling effect on the body and hence the name Thandai which in Hindi means cooling.