If you're in the mood for a quick and delicious drink, try mango lassi. This popular Indian beverage is made with fresh mangoes and yogurt. It is the perfect drink for any occasion, whether you're relaxing at home or entertaining guests. And the best part is that it is incredibly easy to make, taking just 5 minutes from start to finish.
Mango lassi is a popular item on the menus of Indian restaurants, but the good news is that it can also be easily made at home with just three main ingredients and a few minutes of preparation time. With its refreshing taste and simple recipe, it is the perfect beverage to enjoy on a hot day or to complement spicy dishes.
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Why you will love this recipe
- Creamy and Smooth: This recipe gives you a smooth and creamy drink by using yogurt and mango in the right proportions.
- Aromatic Spices: A touch of aromatic spices adds an extra layer of flavor; these spices do not overpower the natural sweetness and flavor of the mangoes.
- Delicious light meal: The refreshing taste and creamy texture of the lassi make it an ideal beverage for the summer months and also a great choice for a light meal any time of year.
Ingredients and substitutes
Mango: Juicy, sweet, and ripe mango is the key ingredient.
Yogurt: Use plain whole milk yogurt to make creamy lassi. Thick yogurt will help make the lassi creamy. Low-fat yogurt or Greek yogurt can also be used, depending on your preference..
Sweetener: Sugar is the most common sweetener used. Brown sugar, white sugar, coconut sugar, honey, maple syrup, etc., works very well for this Indian lassi.
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients and quantities.
Variations
Strawberry lassi: Use strawberries instead of mangoes.
Rose lassi: Add one teaspoon of rose water along with the rest of the ingredients.
Vegan lassi: To make vegan mango lassi, replace yogurt with cashew yogurt, coconut yogurt, or any dairy-free yogurt. If needed, use almond milk or coconut milk to thin it out.
Step-by-step Instructions
Step 5: Pour into serving glasses. Top with pistachio and serve immediately.
Expert Tips
You can use fresh, frozen, or canned mangoes to make lassi. Mango puree made with Indian variety mangoes like Kesar and Alphanso is readily available in Indian grocery stores. You can also use other sweet varieties like Champagne/Honey mangoes.
Traditionally, fresh and ripe mangoes are used when they are in season, along with homemade curd. However, these days, we can easily find frozen mangoes or canned mango pulp, making it possible to enjoy this refreshing summer drink throughout the year.
Use cold yogurt straight from the fridge for best results. If you use milk (or water) to thin the lassi, use cold milk straight from the fridge.
You can make it ahead and chill it in the refrigerator. However, it is best to serve lassi fresh or within 24 hours after making it. You can blend in some ice cubes along with other ingredients.
Store-bought mango pulp usually has added sugar in it. So, if you use it, check the sweetness before adding any sugar.
Recipe FAQs
Lassi, a traditional Northern Indian drink, is a creamy yogurt-based beverage prepared by blending yogurt, water, and spices. Two main variations are sweet lassi, which includes sugar and may incorporate fruit, and salted lassi, seasoned with salt and spices like cumin. Typically served in a clay cup (kulhar), plain lassi is adorned with cardamom and a layer of clotted cream (malai). This ancient Indian refreshment dating back to around 1000 BC, and is often consumed to cool down, particularly on sweltering summer days.
To make vegan lassi, replace yogurt with cashew yogurt, coconut yogurt, or any dairy-free plain yogurt. If needed, use coconut milk to thin it out.
They are both similar as they are yogurt-based. However, a smoothie always has fruit/fruits added to it, whereas you can make lassi without any fruit. Also, it is very uncommon to use spices like cardamom or saffron in smoothies.
Indian mangoes like Kesar or Alphonso mangoes work best. However, you can use any variety of juicy mangoes that are less fibrous.
More yogurt-based summer drinks
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Recipe card
Mango Lassi
Ingredients
- 1 large mango (or one cup of mango pulp)
- 1½ cup yogurt
- 2 teaspoon sugar (adjust according to the sweetness of the mango)
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 4-5 strands saffron
- 2-3 pistachio sliced (optional)
Instructions
- Wash and peel the mangoes. Cut them into cubes.
- In a blender, add mango pieces, yogurt, sugar, saffron, and cardamom powder.
- Blend until it is smooth. Chill the lassi for about one hour.
- Pour into serving glass. Top with pistachio and serve.
Gina says
Love a good mango lassi, thanks for the simple recipe! The cardamom is key and makes it taste quite authentic!
Shruthi says
Nothing beats mango lassi on a hot summer day! Really love how simple but delicious this recipe is.
Shelby says
The color of this made my SOUL happy! Loved the simple ingredients too, I had everything on hand!
Jennifer says
The saffron in this is just wow! What a stunning drink - the color, the flavor, it was all amazing!
Sharina says
I love mangoes and this mango lassi is what I'm looking for! It was so refreshing and creamy. I'm impressed, it was so simple and easy to make. New favorite!