DRINK RECIPE: Mango Lassi

Beat the heat this summer with a cool and refreshing Mango Lassi. Lassi is a yogurt-based drink originating in India. Given yogurt’s cooling properties, it is locally enjoyed in hot weather, and also works as a digestive at meal time, especially given the spicy heat from Indian dishes.

There are variations of lassi, including the traditional sweet or salty options, as well as flavoured varieties, where fresh fruit or fruit juices are used. A popular version found in many Indian restaurants is mango lassi.

Lassi can be enjoyed for breakfast as a smoothie, or even when entertaining – whether it serves as a poolside thirst quencher, or as a great accompaniment to appetizers.

Arches and temple in Gadi Sagar lake at sunset sky in Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India — Arches and temple in Gadi Sagar lake at sunset, Jaisalmer, Rajasthan, India

Servings: 2

Ingredients:

1 cup plain yogurt
1/2 cup milk
1 cup ripe mango, chopped or 1 cup of canned mango pulp
4 teaspoons honey or sugar, to taste (optional)
A dash of ground cardamom
4-5 ice cubes
Mint, for garnish (optional)

Directions:

In a blender, add yogurt, milk, mango, sugar or honey, cardamom, and ice cubes. Blend until smooth.
Pour mango lassi into glasses. Before serving, top it with a pinch of cardamom and a sprig of mint for garnish. (Optional: you can also garnish with chopped pistachios and/or a few strands of saffron.)
Serve chilled.

NOTE: If you’d like to use less sugar or honey, or no sweetener at all, make this recipe with mango pulp. A ripe mango still might not be sweet enough.