Mango Lassi
Ripe mango blended with thick yogurt, a little cardamom and just enough ice to chill without watering it down. Three minutes, and the best thing to drink alongside anything spicy.
Photograph credit: Mango Lassi and Butter Milk - Vel South Indian Kitchen + Bar by Andy Li · CC0 · Wikimedia Commons
Casein, the main protein in yogurt, binds to capsaicin and physically carries it off the tongue — which is why a lassi cools chilli heat where water cannot. Using frozen mango instead of ice keeps the drink thick and intensely flavoured rather than diluted.
Quick Answers
How long does Mango Lassi take to make?
5 minutes of preparation and of cooking, so 5 minutes in all, plus up to 30 minutes of chilling if your ingredients need it (the method says when). The recipe serves 2.
How to Make Mango Lassi
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If using fresh mango, cut the flesh into chunks and freeze for 30 minutes — this chills the lassi without ice.
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Blend the mango, yogurt, milk, honey, cardamom and salt on high for 45 seconds until completely smooth and slightly aerated.
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Taste and adjust: more honey if the mango is tart, a splash more milk if it is too thick to drink.
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Add the rose water, if using, and pulse once — too much blending drives off its aroma.
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Pour into chilled glasses, scatter with pistachios and a final pinch of cardamom, and serve immediately.
Related guide: Prep, cook and total time.
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Worth Getting Right
- Alphonso or Kesar mango pulp, sold tinned, makes an outstanding out-of-season lassi.
- The pinch of salt is not optional — it sharpens the mango flavour considerably.
- For a savoury salted lassi, omit the mango and honey and blend yogurt with water, salt and toasted cumin.
Pairs Well With
Serve alongside vindaloo, biryani or any fiery curry · A good breakfast drink with samosas · Follows tandoori chicken well
Keeping and Reheating
Best fresh; it separates within an hour. Re-blend briefly if it has been standing. Keeps 1 day refrigerated.
Mango Lassi Nutrition
Per serving, calculated from the ingredient list with USDA FoodData Central figures (SR Legacy). A calculation, not a laboratory analysis: brands, cuts and how you measure change the real numbers. How the figures are worked out.
Your notes on this recipe
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Compiled by Turab
Checked by script for timings, diet labels and nutrition arithmetic. How the recipes are checked. Found a mistake? Tell us.
First published ; last changed .
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