For a place in Kefallinia in Greece, see Lassi, Greece
Lassi is a traditional Indian beverage made by blending yoghurt with water, salt, and spices until frothy, and enjoyed chilled as a hot-weather refreshment. Traditional lassi is salty and usually flavored with ground roasted cumin and chilli pepper.
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Sweet lassi is a more recent invention, flavored with sugar, rosewater and/or lemon, mango, strawberry or other fruit juice.
Lassi has also become quite popular on hot summer days in Turkey, where it typically contains only water, salt, yoghurt and lemon.
During 2002, commercial products resembling sweet lassi began appearing on the U.S. market, with names like "Drinking Yogurt" and "Yogurt Smoothie".
Recipes
Traditional salty (namkin) lassi
- 4 c (1 litre) yoghurt
- 3 c (750 ml) cold water
- 1 c (250 ml) crushed ice
- fresh green chilli peppers (quantity according to taste), chopped
- 1 ts cumin, roasted and ground
- 3 tb lime or lemon juice
- 2 ts salt
Combine all ingredients except ice in blender and blend until smooth. Then add ice and continue blending until frothy.
Mild salty lassi
Here is one possible recipe for a Salty Lassi:
- 0.25L (1 cup) Full-Fat Yoghurt
- 0.25L (1 cup) Chilled milk
- 1 teaspoon (4g) Cumin seeds
- 2 teaspoons lime or lemon juice
- 1/2 - 1 teaspoon (2-4g) Salt
- 0.1L (1/2 cup) Ice cubes
- 1/4 teaspoon Mint (finely crumbled, dried; optional)
Dry-roast cumin seeds by cooking them over low heat in small pan until you can smell the seasoning, about 2 to 3 minutes. Cool and grind. In blender, blend cumin seed powder with yoghurt, milk, lemon juice, salt and ice cubes. Optionally scatter with crumbled mint. Serve chilled. (4 servings.)
Sweet (mithi) lassi
Combine all ingredients except ice in blender and blend until smooth. Then add ice and continue blending until frothy.
Bangh Lassi
Bangh Lassi is a special lassi that contains bangh, a derivate of marijuana, and has the effect of a drug. It is legal in many parts of India and mainly used for religious purposes. Rajasthan is known to have licensed bangh shops, and in many places you can buy bangh products and drink Bangh Lassi. Many guidebooks warn foreign tourists to try Bangh Lassi because of the risks of serious intoxication.
