Authentic Mango Lassi

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Mango lassi is a refreshing yogurt drink perfect for hot summers. It also serves as a soothing accompaniment to spicy Indian meals. Learn how to make this restaurant-style Mango lassi at home at half the cost. 

What is Mango lassi?

For those who haven’t had Mango lassi before, here’s a quick 101 – lassi is a yogurt-based drink that originates from the Indian subcontinent. Traditionally, it is a savory drink that is often flavored with spices such as powdered roasted cumin, grated ginger, and finely chopped coriander.

Over the years, a sweet version was developed by substituting salt with sugar and including fruits such as mangoes, strawberries, peaches, etc., and that’s how mango lassi was born. 

Lassi vs Smoothie

I know what you are thinking…lassi sounds very much like a smoothie, doesn’t it?

But apparently, there is a difference – you can make lassi without fruits, unlike smoothies. Also, smoothies may or may not have yogurt, but you can’t make a lassi without it.

Back in India, whenever we got mangoes at home, they were gone in seconds, especially if it was Alphonso. That’s why we didn’t make mango lassi at home often. 

All that changed when I moved to the US. We pretty much had access to mangoes year-round, and if you didn’t want to make it at home, you could always go to a neighboring Indian restaurant. 

The only problem was paying $3.99 for this delicious drink on a grad student’s income was not always possible 😥.  That’s why I learned how to make Mango lassi at home. 

How to make mango lassi

Now, there are two ways to get started on this lassi – either use store-bought mango pulp or puree from freshly cut mangoes.

For the most part, I would always recommend fresh fruit, but when mangoes are not in season, the store-bought canned pulp is a good substitute.

Which kind of mango to use for lassi?

Choose mangoes that are sweet and non-fibrous. If you are in India, Alphonso or Kesar would be good choices. For those in the US, buy either Ataulfo, Kent, or Keitt. 

Can we use store-bought mango pulp for this recipe?

Go for unsweetened mango pulp so that you can control the amount of sugar used in the recipe. 

Ingredients needed for mango lassi – Mango pulp (homemade or store-bought), yogurt, milk, and sugar. Optional ingredients include cardamom seeds or powder, saffron strands, and ice cubes. 

Recipe notes

1. If using fresh mangoes, make sure you pick a ripe, sweet one, or else you will have to compensate by adding more sugar. Alphonso mangoes are my favorite but if you cannot find those, go for Ataulfo, Kent, or Keitt.
2. If your homemade puree is fibrous, make sure to strain it before using it in the recipe.
3. The homemade pulp is thicker than the store-bought one, so dilute it accordingly with water or milk. I prefer milk since it reduces the tartness of the yogurt. 
4. You can use Greek yogurt in this recipe as well; just make sure to dilute it with either water or milk. 
5. If you are buying pulp, I would highly suggest going to your local Indian store. If you don’t live close to one, get this sweetened Swad Kesar Mango Pulp or this organic unsweetened mango pulp from Amazon.
6. The store-bought pulp is usually sweetened, so reduce the amount of sugar when using it.
7. While cardamom seeds and saffron strands are optional ingredients, I would urge you to use them in your recipes since they make this drink aromatic and add a ton of flavor.

If you are a mango lover like me, here are other mango recipes for you to try out – 

1. This creamy and delicious Mango banana smoothie takes less than 10 minutes to make! While this recipe uses dairy, you can easily make a plant-based version by using coconut milk. It tastes great with frozen mangoes, too! 
2. Mango raita – If you love mangoes, then this mango raita recipe has your name written all over it. Enjoy it as a dessert or as a side dish, along with a spicy Indian meal.
3. Mango ice cream – If you love Mango lassi, then this mango ice cream recipe is just what you need to satisfy your mango cravings. Learn how to make this creamy tropical dessert in under 20 minutes and without an ice cream maker.
4. Mango overnight oats will make you want to wake up early just to have breakfast. Loaded with oats, chia seeds, and sweet, juicy mango bits, this creamy overnight oats recipe is perfect for busy mornings. 

This post was first published on January 2nd, 2016, and has been updated with text and step by step pictures on July 30th, 2020.