Mango Lassi

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Mango Lassi is an Indian summer beverage made from ripe mangoes, yogurt and cardamom. In India, where summers are unbearable, Mango lassi makes your day feel easier. The combination of mangoes and yogurt works great in cooling your body from inside.

Did you know that Mango Lassi is a twist on a classic drink called Lassi? Lassi is a traditional drink from North India, especially Punjab, made with yogurt, sugar, and cardamom. But during the summer when mangoes are ripe, people started adding mangoes to make Mango Lassi. Even though regular Lassi is famous in India, Mango Lassi somehow became more popular all around the world.

I can clearly remember my childhood and the childhood memories I had with these 2 drinks. At that time, in India, many weddings happened during the summer. Whenever there was a wedding, it meant shopping time! And as kids, we were dragged to the markets to pick out fancy new clothes. Even though getting new clothes was exciting, the scorching summers made it tough to bear. But our parents had no choice but to take us to the busy markets, even in the sweltering afternoon heat.

To cheer us up and make the shopping trips more enjoyable, our parents would promise to take us to a popular fruit juice stall that offered a variety of refreshing summer drinks. That’s where we first tried Lassi and Mango Lassi. Over time, it became a tradition for us to visit the juice stall every summer during our shopping outings and enjoy Mango Lassi.

When I moved to the US, this tradition faded away for a few years. The main reason was the lack of the same variety of mangoes available in India.

However, Puru loves mangoes. So every time we would head out for groceries, he insisted on grabbing a box of whichever variety of mangoes was available. He’s especially fond of Aam Ras or Ambyacha Ras, a concoction of fresh mango puree blended with milk and sugar, which I prepare often. Eventually, I decided to give it a shot and made Mango Lassi using Atulfo mangoes. Luckily, it turned out to be delicious! Now, it has become a new tradition in our home to make this recipe every summer without fail.

And the best part is, it is super-easy to make. You just need some ripe mangoes, yogurt, sugar and cardamom powder and a blender to blend it all together. If you are crunched on time you can even use canned mango pulp to make this recipe. Lets check the recipe in detail.

Ingredients

Ripe mango, plain yogurt, milk, sugar (adjust to taste), ground cardamom (optional), Ice cubes (optional)

Recipe Instructions

Prepare the Mango:

• Peel the ripe mango and cut it into small chunks, discarding the seed.

Blend the Ingredients:

• In a blender, combine the diced mango, plain yogurt, milk, sugar, and ground cardamom (if using).
• Blend the mixture on high speed until smooth and creamy.

Taste and Adjust:

• Once blended, taste the lassi and adjust the sweetness by adding more sugar if needed.
• Blend again if necessary to incorporate.

Add Ice:

• If you prefer a colder lassi, add a few ice cubes to the blender and blend until smooth.

Serve:

• Pour this Lassi into glasses.
• Optionally, garnish with a sprinkle of ground cardamom or a few mango slices on the rim of the glass for an extra touch of elegance.
• Serve the Mango Lassi immediately while it’s cold and refreshing.

Serving Suggestions

• Mango Lassi serves as a perfect cooling accompaniment to spicy Indian dishes like chicken curry or biryani, helping to balance out the heat with its creamy sweetness.
• Enjoy your Mango Lassi alongside popular Indian snacks like samosas, pakoras, or even aloo tikki for a delightful combination of flavors.
• Turn your Mango Lassi into a dessert by pouring it over a scoop of vanilla ice cream or frozen yogurt for a creamy and indulgent treat.
• You can also turn this lassi into popsicles. Pour your Mango Lassi mixture into popsicle molds and freeze them for a few hours to create homemade Mango Lassi popsicles, perfect for a refreshing summer treat.

Tips and Tricks

• Choose ripe, sweet mangoes for the best flavor.
• Adjust the sugar according to your preference and the sweetness of the mangoes.
• If you like a thicker lassi, use Greek yogurt instead of regular plain yogurt.
• If you prefer a colder lassi, you can add some ice cubes to the blender and blend again until smooth.
• For an extra touch of elegance, you can garnish your lassi with a sprinkle of ground cardamom or a few mango slices on the rim of the glass.
• Feel free to experiment with additional flavorings like saffron or rose water for a unique twist.

• When mangoes are in season, consider buying them in bulk, peeling, and dicing them ahead of time. Store the diced mangoes in airtight containers or freezer bags in the freezer. This way, you’ll always have ready-to-use mangoes on hand for making Mango Lassi whenever the craving strikes.
• Measure out the yogurt, milk, sugar, and any optional ingredients like ground cardamom into individual containers or bags. This makes it easier to assemble your Lassi quickly when you’re ready to blend it. You can even pre-mix the dry ingredients (sugar and cardamom) to save even more time.
• If you prefer your Mango Lassi icy cold, you can pre-blend the ingredients and pour the mixture into ice cube trays. Once frozen, transfer the Lassi cubes into a freezer bag. When you’re ready to enjoy this refreshing drink, simply blend a few frozen cubes with a splash of milk until smooth. This method ensures you always have a refreshing drink ready to go straight from the freezer.

FAQs

Q: Can I use frozen mango or canned mango pulp instead of fresh?

A: Absolutely! Frozen mango as well as canned mango pulp works just as well and can even make your lassi extra cold and refreshing.

Q: Can I make Mango Lassi ahead of time?

A: While it’s best enjoyed fresh, you can prepare the ingredients ahead of time and blend them together just before serving to maintain the optimal texture and flavor.

Q: Is Mango Lassi only for hot weather?

A: Not at all! This Lassi is perfect for any time of year, whether you’re cooling off on a scorching day or indulging in a taste of summer during the colder months.