Homemade Mango Lassi – A Quick, Easy, Refreshing Indian Drink

Today I will show you exactly how to make authentic mango lassi. This recipe is super quick and very easy. You only need three basic ingredients for this nutrient-dense, low-calorie, traditional Indian drink.

For more refreshing drinks and smoothie recipes, make sure to check out my beverage section. Some of the most popular recipes include a Creamy Cuban Wheat Milkshake, this refreshing Pineapple Papaya Smoothie, and this colorful Banana Blueberry Smoothie.

What Is Mango Lassi?

Mango lassi is arguably one of the most famous Indian lassi recipes out there. It is a traditional Indian mango yogurt drink that is super refreshing, creamy, and very flavorful. 

As with most drinks, there are many variations for it, especially because it is so simple.

An authentic mango lassi ingredients list includes mango and yogurt, often flavored with a touch of cardamom or cinnamon. These are the only must-add ingredients for any mango lassi drink.

Variations For My Mango Lassi Recipe 

As we’ve mentioned, there are many different variations for this recipe. Let’s take a look at some common ones.

Dairy Additions Or Alternatives

Traditionally lassi is made with yogurt. However, many people make it with coconut cream (or coconut yogurt) to make a vegan mango lassi.

Some other creamy ingredients you can use include sour cream, heavy cream, buttermilk, mascarpone, and even cream cheese. As long as the dairy ingredient has a slight tanginess, it will help balance the sweetness of the ripe mango.

Spices

As I’ve mentioned, cardamom and cinnamon are often the spices used in a plain lassi recipe.

I often like to make mine with some autumn spices. That includes adding ground ginger, some vanilla, ground star anise, and a pinch of cloves. There are many other spices that you can experiment with.

I’ve even had a cayenne pepper and turmeric mango lassi at an Indian market once!

Citrus

Many people love adding a couple of teaspoons or tablespoons of citrus juice. This type of juice helps balance the flavors. Something like orange juice will take away a little bit of the sweetness and add a tangy undertone.

You can play around with the flavors as much as you’d like. And virtually any type of citrus fruit will work here.

Alcohol

This is another popular variation many people love to make. The most popular alcohol used (that works best with this flavor profile) is rum and vodka.

I recommend using citrus-based alcohols that are clear in color. Gin also works very well and so does tequila.

What You Shouldn’t Add

I do not recommend adding other fruit. That turns it into a juice or smoothie instead of a mango lassi. 

Part of what makes this mango yogurt drink so special is that it is made with just that: mango and yogurt.

Can You Use Frozen Mango To Make This Indian Mango Drink?

This is another type of variation many people use. But more often than not, it’s because they cannot get their hands on fresh or ripe mangoes.

Using frozen mango is perfectly fine. If it is at all possible, make sure it has been flash-frozen. This technique of freezing the vegetables helps them retain the most nutrients. Here is a very educational article on the benefits of flash-frozen fruits you can take a look at.

If you’d like, you can also prepare the mango yourself and freeze it for later use. This is something I do as part of my weekly smoothie preparations.

Also, by using frozen mango, you will give your lassi drink a much thicker and even creamier consistency. It will be icier, almost like a smoothie made with frozen fruit.

How To Store Mango Lassi

Mango Lassi can be stored inside the fridge for a day or so. After two days, the color will fade, the flavor will become bland, and the nutrients will disappear. It’s best to serve this Indian drink fresh.

You can also freeze mango lassi after you have made it. Like with using frozen mango, this lassi will be icy and uber-refreshing.

FAQs

What is the number of mango lassi calories for this recipe?

Mango lassi is surprisingly low in calories. That’s because the mango itself is one of the lowest-calorie tropical fruits out there. Most of the calories in this recipe come from yogurt and milk. Each portion will contain about 167 calories.

Is mango lassi vegan?

Mango lassi isn’t traditionally vegan. It uses plain yogurt, which is a dairy product. However, you can make it vegan by using coconut yogurt or cream. There are many other alternatives out there.

Can you make mango lassi with mango pulp?

If you don’t have access to fresh or frozen mango, you can use mango pulp. Mango pulp is essentially pre-blended and sometimes strained mango, also known as mango puree. It won’t have as many nutrients and the flavor may not be as authentic, but it works as a last-resort alternative.

How do you ripen a mango quickly?

Now, if you only managed to get your hands on unripe hard mangoes, fear not. You can leave them inside a brown paper bag or wrap them in a newspaper. It’s the same technique you use to ripen avocados. Leave the wrapped mangoes at room temperature overnight.

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