Kitchen Recipe Collection
Indian Sweet Lassi
A thick, creamy, cooling yogurt-based drink from Punjab, sweetened with sugar and flavored with cardamom or rose water.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 5 min
- Total
- 10 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- indian
Ingredients
Scaled for 2 servings
- thick plain yogurt (curd)
- chilled milk or cold water
- sugar
- cardamom powder
- rose water (optional)
- ice cubes
- malai (clotted cream) for garnish
Equipment
- Blender or traditional wooden churner (Mathani)
Instructions
- 1
Use Thick Yogurt
Use fresh, thick, whole-milk yogurt (curd). Ensure it is not too sour.
- 2
The Traditional Churn (Optional)
For the most authentic texture, do not use an electric blender. Place the yogurt in a deep pot and whisk it vigorously with a traditional wooden mathani (churner).
- 3
Sweeten the Yogurt
Add sugar (preferably powdered sugar so it dissolves quickly) and freshly ground cardamom powder.
- 4
Whisk Until Smooth
Whisk or blend until the sugar is completely dissolved and the yogurt is incredibly smooth and lump-free.
- 5
Adjust Consistency
Add a splash of chilled milk (for a richer taste) or cold water to thin it out slightly. It should remain thick, but drinkable.
- 6
Add Flavor
Add a few drops of food-grade rose water or kewra water for a floral aroma.
- 7
Add Ice
Add ice cubes directly into the mixture and give it one final brisk whisk to chill it thoroughly.
- 8
Prepare Glasses
Take tall, heavy glasses (traditionally brass or steel tumblers).
- 9
Pour from a Height
Pour the lassi into the glasses from a slight height to create a frothy top.
- 10
The Malai Topping
Carefully scoop a thick dollop of fresh Malai (the cream from the top of boiled milk) onto the froth in each glass.
- 11
Garnish
Sprinkle a tiny pinch of cardamom powder, saffron strands, or chopped pistachios on top of the malai.
- 12
Serve
Serve immediately while freezing cold. Drink directly, then use a spoon to eat the rich malai.
Cooking Tips
- Blending in a high-speed electric mixer makes the lassi watery because it breaks down the fat emulsion. Hand churning keeps it thick.
- Powdered sugar dissolves immediately, preventing you from over-churning the yogurt.
Variations
- Salted Lassi: Swap the sugar for roasted cumin powder, black salt (kala namak), and fresh mint.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- The quintessential summer drink of North India, traditionally served in massive tumblers that guarantee a post-meal nap.
Nutrition Estimate
150 calories · 7g protein · 22g carbs · 4g fat · 0g fiber per serving
