This Mango Lassi Is Our Go-To Drink From Morning to Night

Mango lassis are among the most popular drinks around the world, for their sweet, tangy flavor and rich, creamy consistency. You'll find them in cafes, coffee shops, and restaurants all over, consumed for breakfast, as a snack, or as a sweet beverage after dinner.

Frequently asked questions 

What is a lassi?

Lassis are traditional Indian drinks beloved for their flavor and the calming anti-inflammatory effect they are said to have on the body, especially after eating spicy food. They originated in the Punjab region of northwest India and date back as far as 1000 BC. and are flavored with spices like saffron, cardamom, or rosewater; as well as fruit, often mangoes, strawberries, bananas, and pineapple. Mango lassis are among the most popular types of lassis. 

What is in a mango lassi? 

Lassis are made most often with yogurt (although you will see lassis made with buttermilk from time to time). Mango lassis are made with kesar mango purée, which is blended with the yogurt or buttermilk until smooth. 

Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen

It’s worth it to seek out kesar mango purée at your grocery store, an Asian market, or online. Kesar mangoes are prized for their aromatic flesh with a sweet-tart flavor. Kesar mango purée is sweetened, so it balances the tart plain yogurt nicely.

When buying yogurt for a lassi, look for a brand with a thin consistency. If you want to use a Greek-style yogurt, you may need to thin it by adding a few extra tablespoons of water to the blender when blending it with the mango puree and lime juice, and then adding more as needed to adjust the consistency of the lassi to your preferences.