Beverages

Choose beverages that can be made one day in advance and can be stored away in the refrigerator. Don't forget to stock up on some colas, beers, and low-fat milk. I will give you some festive beverages that can be made in advance, stored in the empty plastic milk jugs in the refrigerator. These beverages may be served in a "Fruit Punch Bowl" with ice.

Rose Lassi: This is our family favorite for any gathering. You blend 75% home made yogurt, 25% milk, desired amount of Rooh Afza. The Rooh Afza gives it a pink color, rose and Kewra flavor, milk smoothes out sourness. If you want, you can add more rose water, Kewra essence or sugar to suit your own liking. Buy a fresh rose. Pluck the petals. Serve it in a fruit punch bowl with ice and floating rose petals.

Thandaii: Festive Thandaii is quite different than regular Thandaii. It is made by grinding pistachios, few mint leaves and char Magaz resulting in a light green color Milk and sugar are added with a hint of black pepper. In reality, most of the caterers use green food color to make it look light green, it also hides the tiny specks of mint leaves that don't get blended to super fine. If you are a purist, you may avoid using the food color. Serve it as a fruit punch with ice and floating peppermint leaves

Shikanjami: This is your traditional Indian lemonade and can be served as a punch with floating slices of oranges, lemons and limes.

Garam Chai: You can make and store the Chai without sugar and cream about one day earlier in a tightly sealed container. Re brew it on the day of the party with cream and sugar. If you have coffee air pot, fill coffee air pots with Garam Chai.