Lassi Recipe- Make A Delicious Indian Drink In 10 Minutes

If you’re into exotic drinks, India might have a few sweet surprises for you but none sweeter than lassi. Lassi is a dairy-based milk with history that dates back 3,000 years ago and is a very important part of local culture. In this post, we’ll share the traditional lassi recipe and teach you everything there is to know about this popular Indian drink.

But first things first…

What Is Lassi?

Lassi is a beverage found commonly in South Asian countries. The word Lassi could also be spelled as Lasi; a word deriving from the Sanskrit word Lasika (लसिका), which technically means something that has a saliva-like texture. Historically, the lassi recipe has originated from present-day Punjab. Lassi is a type of buttermilk that’s prepared with a mixture of yogurt and spices. It can also be described as a less dense and more fruity version of mishti doi. It comes in both, sweet and salty varieties and there’s even a version of lassi that’s infused with cannabis but more about this later. 

In the past, lassi was mostly prepared from bananas, oranges, and mango but today, you can find lassi made of more different fruits, such as avocados, apples, peaches, pineapples, pears, etc. 

What Does Lassi Taste Like?

Lassi has a variety of tastes as mentioned earlier, some are salty and some are sweet. The sweet lassi tastes similar to a milkshake, and the salty lassi tastes similar to the Persian yogurt ‘doogh’.

The choice between sweet or salty lassi is most influenced by the region and the time of the year, with sweet lassi being the more popular choice during the summer and salty lassi being consumed during the colder months. 

Origins Of Lassi

Historically, the lassi recipe originated in Northern India, more particularly in Punjab around 3000 years ago and from there it spread in New Delhi, Mumbai, and the rest of the country. Studies show that lassi is one of the oldest beverages in the world and had been consumed by the people of the Indian subcontinent for thousands of years. During British rule, this delicious drink was imported out of the subcontinent for the first time into other countries that were a part of the British empire. The ancient lassi recipe was a simplified version of today’s recipe and it consisted of just yogurt and pure spices like turmeric. 

Traditionally, lassi is served in a clay cup called ‘Kullar’. This cup was widely used in ancient India and was used mainly to serve lassi, masala chai, and other Indian beverages. However, today, most establishments serve lassi in a tall glass made of brass, steel, and aluminum. 

There are many different types of lassi and every region has a slightly different lassi recipe but the most common varieties of lassi are the Sweet, Salty, and cannabis lassi, also known as “bhang”

Sweet lassi tastes like a mix of a fruit smoothie and a milkshake (it’s like a creamier version of lulada). It is made with sugar, yogurt (dahi), lemon (optional), and different types of fruits, such as mango, strawberry, avocado, blueberry, kiwi, etc. Another very popular type of lassi found in India and some parts of Pakistan is the saffron lassi, made of simply Dahi (yogurt), sugar, and saffron. When you have a lassi outside of India, 99% of the time, it will be a sweet lassi.  

Salted lassi, also known as Namkeen lassi, is another variation of lassi that’s mostly available on the Indian subcontinent. It’s made by using Dahi (yogurt), water, and salt. This kind of lassi often gets mixed up with “ayran” which is another similar drink that’s popular in Iran, Afghanistan, Central Asia, and Turkey.

Bhang lassi is a cannabis-infused drink that contains ‘bhang’; which is a kind of cannabis in liquid form that has similar effects as the other form of cannabis. It is quite popular in some parts of India and at certain times of the year, for example, during Holi (the coloring festival). The state of Uttar Pradesh is also known for having licensed bhang shops that sold these products legally.

Fruits & Add-Ons You Can Use For Making Lassi

Traditionally, the lassi recipe was prepared only with spices because fruits were rare to come by and were quite difficult for average people to afford. But according to numerous historic sources, mango was the most popular choice for making lassi, as the most sought-after fruit in India. However, in modern times, lassi could be made from any fruit. Some of the most popular choices of fruits include avocado, strawberry, blueberry, kiwi, orange, lime, etc. 

Another way you also prepare Lassi without going through the hassle of cutting the fruit is to prepare it with fruit powder instead of the actual fruit. 

Health Benefits

Lassi is also known for its ayurvedic properties, and the calming effects it has on the digestive system. It contains Lactobacilli, a healthy bacteria, that aids the body in smooth digestion. Lassi is sometimes also used to prevent constipation and other stomach problems like lubrication of intestines, and prevention of heartburn due to the ingredients it contains. Frequent consumption of lassi also helps the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and due to its rich source of lactic acid and vitamin D, it also serves as a natural immunity booster.

Serving & Storage

Lassi is served throughout the year and can be consumed any time of the year but it is usually a summer beverage and it’s best to drink during a hot summer day. It is usually served with or after a meal, or with dessert. Lassi can be paired up with different Indian dishes, such as aloo chaat, vellayappam, momos, khichdi, jhal muri, pani puri, ghugni, chicken masala, bhelpuri, matar kulcha, mushroom masala, etc..

On average Lassi can be refrigerated for a maximum of 3 days. As the beverage is made of several dairy ingredients, it is wise to drink it as soon as possible. 

A Few Things You May Need

Did you ever try lassi before? How did you like our lassi recipe? Which one did you like the most, sweet, salty, or cannabis-flavored? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below and if you tried to make it at home, don’t forget to leave us a rating.

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