Lassi is the regional name for buttermilk, a traditional Dahi (Yogurt) – based drink consumed in the South Asian region. The Lassi drink Recipe is a mixture of yogurt, water, spices, and sometimes fruit. Salty lassi is similar to doogh while the modern sweet lassi is like a milkshake. Lassi can be infused with hemp in the form of bhang.
Lassi is prepared by mixing yogurt, water, and other spices. However, variations of lassi can be prepared in different ways. Cumin and cardamom are the most common spices added to lassi. Lassi is traditionally served in a clay cup known as a kulhar.
Sweet lassi
Sweet lassi is a form of lassi flavored with sugar, rose water, lemon, strawberry, or other fruit juice. Saffron lassis, which are particularly abundant, are a specialty of Rajasthan, Haryana, and Gujarat in India and Sindh province in Pakistan. Makkhaniya lassi is simply lassi with lumps of butter in it. It is usually creamy like a milkshake.
Sweet lassi tastes like a creamy, sweet yogurt drink with notes of cardamom, saffron, and/or rose water optionally added. Yogurt is mixed with water, sugar, and a few other ingredients to make a refreshing and easy drink. The top of the lassi is usually frothy.
Salted lassi
The traditional namkeen (or savory) form of lassi is more common in the Indian subcontinent. It is prepared by mixing dahi (yogurt) with water with added salt. The resulting drink is known as salted lassi. In Pakistan, it is known as Namkeen Lassi, which is sometimes called Ayran by Pashtuns and other Iranian and Dardic groups.
Bhang lassi
Bhang lassi is a cannabis-infused drink that contains bhang, a liquid cannabis derivative that has effects similar to other consumed forms of cannabis. It is legal in many parts of India and is mainly sold during Holi when pakoras containing bhang are also sometimes eaten. Uttar Pradesh is known to have licensed bhang shops and there are many places where you can buy bhang products and drink bhang lassis.
Lassi is good for health in more ways than one. Lassi is full of vital nutrients and good bacteria that help repair the stomach and improve overall gut health. In addition, lassi is cooling and soothing, which prevents heatstroke or nausea.
Most people often confuse buttermilk with lassi. Technically, though, buttermilk is the liquid left when butter is churned from cream. Lassi is a churned yogurt that is made by fermenting milk and adding a culture of bacteria.
Ingredients to Make Lassi
- 1 1/2 cups of white, full-fat yogurt
- 4-5 large/8-10 small ice cubes
- 3/4-1 cup whole milk
- 4 tablespoons + 2 teaspoons cane sugar or to taste (or Salt for Salted Lassi)
- 3 tablespoons thick whipping cream (Optional)
Lassi Drink Recipe
- Add all the ingredients to the blender.
- Blend on high speed until smooth and no longer icy (~1 minute). (Can be blended using a hand blender)
- It will foam naturally on top.
- Taste and add sugar for sweetness, ice for cooling, or 1-2 tablespoons of yogurt for acidity.
- Serve immediately or refrigerate, covered, for 1-2 days.
