Lassi Recipe | Traditional Indian Mango Lassi + 8 Variations

This Indian Lassi recipe is a delicious traditional Indian beverage that you're sure to love! (The Mango Lassi variation is especially satisfying.) It's so incredibly easy to make that you just might start making it daily.

Why You'll Love This Incredible Indian Treat

• Cool and Refreshing. Perfect for beating the heat or soothing spicy meals.
• Naturally Creamy. Made with yogurt for a rich, smooth texture without heavy cream.
• Customizable Flavors. Enjoy it sweet, salty, fruity, or spiced. There’s a version for every taste.
• Nutrient-Packed. Filled with probiotics, calcium, and protein from yogurt.

Lassi is the ultimate blend of flavor, refreshment, and simplicity. It's a creamy, customizable drink that satisfies your sweet or savory cravings while keeping you cool and nourished.

Is This Traditional Lassi?

People always ask me for an Indian Lassi recipe. I mean, it's not very complicated, but I realized it's only easy if you've done it all your life. It's embarrassingly simple, so to jazz it up I'll show you several variations of Lassi, all of which are traditional.

I know there are some phenomenal avocado lassi and blood orange lassi recipes out there, or ones that involve strawberries but those fruits aren't widely available in India. So, I'm only including the various ways I grew up drinking it.

For reference, I was raised on Punjabi Lassi. This is characterized by a full-fat, very filling salted lassi drunk ice cold with a layer of froth on it as it gets churned.

I mention this because Lassi Recipes vary across India.

What Is Lassi?

Lassi is a simple yogurt-based beverage that's very popular in Indian cuisine. And by simple, I mean really simple. It consists of just yogurt, water, and typically some spices and/or fruit.

You can have either have some version of sweet lassi, or a salty lassi, spicy lassi, or savory lassi.

How To Pronounce Lassi

Every single American friend of mine, wants to say Lassie like Lassi the dog. Don't. It's more like luh-ssi. Luh as in luscious. Got it?

What Are The Benefits?

• Lassi is amazing for your immune system since it is rich in Vitamin D and lactic acid.
• Lassi is actually very beneficial to your digestive health as well. Since it is yoghurt based, it is rich in probiotics, which helps support bacterial balance in your digestive system.
• It's also calcium-rich, which helps with bone health.
• It is very refreshing during the summer and is a smoothie that both kids and adults love.

Can You Make Dairy Free Lassi?

My experience in this area is limited. Technically yes, you can use coconut milk yogurt, or almond milk yogurt to make lassi, but you'd want to add a lot less water to it, since they tend to be thinner than dairy milk yogurts.

Ingredients You'll Need

• 1 ½ cups Full-Fat Greek Yogurt- The creamy, tangy base that gives lassi its rich texture and signature flavor.
• 1 cup Water- Thins the yogurt to a smooth, drinkable consistency.
• ½ cup Ice Cubes- Chills the drink and adds a light, frothy texture when blended.
• 1 teaspoon Salt- Enhances the tangy flavor and creates a refreshing, savory balance.

How To Make Indian Mango Lassi

1. Add greek yogurt to blender
2. Put chunks of mango into the blender. You can use either frozen mango, fresh mango, or mango pulp. Alternatively, you can omit mangoes and use one of the variations below.

3. Add water.

4. Throw in some ice cubes.

5. Add cardamom seeds or cardamom powder to taste.

6. Blend until smooth.

One of the most popular versions is the Mango Lassi (pictured). It's commonly found in India, and mango goes SO well with yogurt. It's one of my favorite blends, and it's super simple to make.

You can use either frozen mango, fresh mango, canned mango, mango pulp, alphonso mango pulp, canned mango pulp, mango puree, the pulp of whatever mango you find at the grocery store. Aaalll of the mangoes are welcome.

If you do use canned mango pulp or canned puree, reduce the sugar considerably as those are pre-sweetened.

So if you're tired of paying for expensive lassi or smoothies at restaurants, you know have a mango lassi recipe that will save you a few bucks.

Different Lassi Variations

I also included eight more variations for you to try in the recipe below. Print it off and hang it on the fridge so you can try them all and choose your favorites! I love them all, so I can't tell you which to try first. Which one will you make first?

• Sweet- Sub 2 teaspoons or more sugar/sweetener for salt. You could also use honey, agave nectar, or your sweetener of choice.
• Mango Lassi- Add I cup ripe mango cubes and 1/4 teaspoons cardamom. You could also use a few saffron strands if you're feeling fancy. Sometimes people add a tinge of rose syrup to this but I find it overpowers the mango flavor a bit.
• Savory- Roast cumin seeds, grind, add 1/2 teaspoons whilst blending. This actually goes really well with Indian food, and you can serve it at the same time as the rest of the Indian feast you've made.
• Spicy- 2-3 thin ginger slices, 2 slices serrano chili and 1/8 cup chopped cilantro blended in. A squeeze of lime juice or lemon juice at the end is lovely.
• Banana Lassi- 1 banana blended in, with some additional sugar if needed. Ground cardamom is delicious with bananas.
• What The Heck Is This Yumminess Lassi- 1/2 teaspoons chaat masala (ready made)
• Mint Lassi- 1/2 teaspoons dried mint whilst blending
• Papaya- 1 cup papaya chunks and 1/4 teaspoons cardamom.
• The one thing you do NOT want to put in lassi is milk or any sort. It's always homemade yogurt, water, and then whatever other yummy additions you want to make.

Tips and Tricks

Lassi is a refreshing, creamy yogurt-based drink from India that’s perfect for cooling down on a warm day or balancing out spicy foods. Whether you’re making a classic sweet version or a tangy salted one, these tips and tricks will help you get that smooth, frothy, and perfectly balanced flavor every time.

• You can use Greek yogurt for this, but you could also just use regular yogurt and add a little less water.
• The final consistency of the drink, with added fruits, is like a thick pancake batter.
• If you aren't adding fruits, then having a thinner consistency makes for a very refreshing drink.
• If you want to know how to make your own cold-start yogurt, check out Cold Start Yogurt.
• I often use Vietnamese Yogurt recipe and add mangoes to it for an EXTREMELY decadent but delicious dessert drink.
• If you're adding fruit, plan to drink the lassi right away, otherwise, it turns a little bitter. (Hardship, I know, but #SacrificeYourself).
• Savory lassis usually do well in the fridge for 2-3 days at most.

What To Enjoy With Lassi?

Lassi is a wonderfully versatile drink that pairs perfectly with a variety of dishes. Its cool, creamy texture and tangy flavor make it an ideal companion to spicy, rich, or flavorful foods, or a refreshing treat all on its own.

• Indian Curries- The cool yogurt base balances the heat from dishes like Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken, or Rogan Josh.
• Biryani and Pulao- Lassi’s creaminess complements the bold, aromatic spices in rice dishes.
• Indian Breads- Enjoy it alongside naan, paratha, or roti for a satisfying, traditional meal.

How Long Does It Last?

Indian lassi is best enjoyed fresh, but it can be stored for a short time if needed. When kept in an airtight container in the refrigerator, lassi will typically last for up to 2–3 days.

Over time, it may begin to separate, with the liquid rising to the top. This is completely normal. Simply give it a good stir or a quick blend before serving to restore its creamy consistency

Can You Freeze It?

Yes, you can freeze lassi, but it’s best done with a few considerations in mind. Freezing lassi can slightly change its texture since yogurt tends to separate once thawed.

To freeze, pour the lassi into an airtight container, leaving some space at the top for expansion, and store it for up to 1 month.

When ready to enjoy, let it thaw in the refrigerator overnight, then whisk or blend it to bring back its smooth consistency.

Looking For More Yummy Beverages?

• Instant Pot Masala Chai- It's a delicious low carb treat.
• Instant Pot Boba Tea! It's an incredibly easy Instant Pot recipe.
• Keto Iced Caramel Macchiato- Way cheaper than the coffee shop!
• High Protein Milk shake- 32 grams of protein in one shake.
• Hibiscus Tea- a perfect summer drink made in your Instant Pot.
• Cherry Limeade- A homemade version of a Sonic classic.

With this Indian Lassi recipe being so simple and quick, and with there being so many variations, you should be pretty busy for the next few days trying them all! Let me know what your favorite variation is in the comments!