Piyush - Maharashtrian Summer Drink

Steps

1. 1
   Wrap fresh yogurt in muslin cloth, place a weight on top, and refrigerate for several hours to drain excess moisture and create hung curd.
2. 2
   Remove the hung curd and pass it through a fine sieve to achieve a smooth, silky consistency.
3. 3
   Crush saffron and steep it in warm milk to bloom and release its flavor.
4. 4
   Grind sugar and cardamom together into a fine powder.
5. 5
   Add the saffron milk to the smooth yogurt cheese.
6. 6
   Sift the sugar-cardamom powder into the yogurt mixture and whisk thoroughly until smooth and silky, creating the base Shrikhand.
7. 7
   Mix fresh yogurt with water to create a buttermilk-like drink (Thaak/Chaas).
8. 8
   Grate nutmeg over the Shrikhand.
9. 9
   Gradually pour the buttermilk drink into the Shrikhand while stirring until it reaches a silky, smooth consistency to create Piyush.
10. 10
    Chill thoroughly, pour into glasses, garnish with nuts if desired, and serve cold.