Aug 19, 2024 This silky yogurt-based drink is bright and breezy and comes together with a quick whizz of your blender. Perfect cooling accompaniment to a spicy Indian dinner. And the best part? It’s actually healthy, too!
Here’s What You Need
Mango: Fresh or frozen, both work beautifully. Choose soft, golden, and ripe for the sweetest result. If I use fresh mango, then I usually add a few ice cubes to chill the mixture. Canned mango pulp or mango puree work perfectly fine in this recipe. Plain yogurt: Thick, plain whole milk yogurt makes the creamy base and body of the lassi. Milk: Gives the lassi it’s drinkable consistency. Sugar: For a touch more sweetness.
Yogurt swaps: Use Greek yogurt for a thicker and creamier lassi. Try coconut, almond, or soy yogurt for a vegan version. Using kefir adds a tangy flavor and is packed with probiotics. Milk substitutes: Almond milk, coconut milk, soy milk, or oat milk for a vegan or lactose-free option. Sweetener alternatives: Try honey or agave syrup. Maple syrup or monk fruit are great, too. Mango substitutes: Make your lassis with other fruit like papaya, peach, or pineapple. Spiced lassi: Add a pinch of cinnamon, nutmeg, or saffron for an aromatic twist. Minty mango lassi: Blend in a few fresh mint leaves for a refreshing flavor. Mango milkshake: Add a scoop of ice-cream in place of a scoop of the yogurt and you have the best mango milkshake (of your life). Add some ground cardamoms to this – SO good.
Tools to Grab
You’ll need a blender of sorts. Your lassi can also be blitzed up in a food processor.
Serve
Pour the mango lassi into a glass. Garnish with sliced mango or a sprig of mint.
Using under-ripe mangoes: Unripe mangoes can make the lassi sour and less-than delicious. Before mangoes are ripe, I find they have a rather pine-tree-like flavor. Adding more sugar to hard mangoes will not make it better.Always use perfectly-ripe mangoes for the best sweetness and taste. Feel free to swap in frozen! No need to even thaw them first.
It’s also just a great anytime fresher and a little lighter than a full-on smoothie. I’ve also rounded up the very best Indian desserts and Indian sweet recipes for you to enjoy. Here are some of my Indian husband’s other favs:
The Butter Naan Recipe that went totally viral Creamy Madras Lentils (the ultimate vegetarian comfort food) Amma’s special Masoor Dal and Indian Chickpea Curry Recipe Malai Kofta (paneer and potato balls in creamy tomato sauce). It’s my favorite dish to order in an Indian restaurant and even better homemade! Indian Chai (tea the authentic Indian way). Try Karak Chai and Chai Coffee, too! Paratha (flaky, layered Indian flatbread)
