How to Make Lassi at Home | Amazing Sweet Lassi

Lassi is a traditional Indian drink made by blending yogurt, water, and sometimes spices or fruit. It is a popular drink in hot weather due to its cooling and hydrating properties. In Summer, the body sweats more which can lead to dehydration. Maintaining body fluid is essential during these days by taking adequate fluid intake. Lassi can help combat dehydration by providing a source of fluids. You can find different types of lassi recipes in several parts of India. 

Here, I will show you the step-by-step process on how to make lassi at home.

Subscribe to Odisha Food Newsletter:

What is a Lassi?

Lassi is a traditional yogurt-based drink that is popular in Odisha. Mostly in the hot Summer, people like to drink lasi to cool down their body temperature. It is made by blending yogurt, water, or milk with sugar or some spices, such as cardamom or saffron. The mixture is then typically chilled and served in a tall glass. Lassi can be either sweet or salty and is often enjoyed as a refreshing beverage or as an accompaniment to spicy meals.

Due to its cooling properties, it is served in many traditional festivals or ceremonies. It has probiotic properties as made from curd or yogurt, which is good for gut health.

Although there are varieties of lassi, my personal favorite is sweet lassi. You can use a blender or hand churner to make lasi at home and relish.

How is Odisha Lassi Recipe Different from others?

The main difference in Odisha lassi is the garnishing. Generally, a lot of grated coconut is used for the stuffing along with dry fruits, khoya, or rabdi. This provides a distinct texture and flavor to the Odisha lassi recipe that cannot be found in traditional lasi.

What are the Types of Lassi Recipe?

There are different variations of lassi available in the market. For making these lasi, varieties of ingredients are used. But here, the common ingredient is Yogurt/curd. 

Some popular lassi varieties are given below.

1. 1. Sweet lassi – This is the most common variation of lasi, made with yogurt, water, and sugar. In some regions, it is served as it is or loaded with garnishing ingredients like grated coconut, cashew, and cherries. In Odisha, different varieties of garnishing are used before serving the lassi like khoya, rabdi etc.
   2. Rabdi lassi – In rabdi lassi, rabdi is the main ingredient. It tastes divine. If you have ever visited Bhubaneswar, the capital of Odisha, You must give it a try. After the sweet lassi is prepared, the rabri is placed on top of it, along with less-grated coconut, cashew, and chopped cherries.
      It tastes so amazing and is a little bit pricey due to the rabri.
   3. Salted lassi – This variation is simple to prepare with fewer ingredients. Only yogurt, water, and salt are required. Sometimes roasted cumin powder also elevates the taste.
   4. Mango lassi – As the name suggests, mango is required to prepare the lasi. This type of lassi recipe is made with yogurt, water, mango pulp, and sugar, creating a sweet and tangy drink.
   5. Masala lassi – During summer, we feel thirsty and want some simple and delicious instant drinks. Here comes the masala lassi, easy to prepare in a minute. For this lassi recipe, we want yogurt, water, roasted cumin powder, black salt, and mint leaves. You can sprinkle some chili powder over the lassi to get that dash of spiciness, or you can have as it is; it is up to you.

What are the Benefits of Lassi?

Not only is lassi a delicious drink, but it also has several health benefits. Some benefits of lasi are given below.

1. Lassi is rich in probiotics, which are beneficial bacteria that live in the gut and help with digestion. These probiotics can help improve digestion and reduce digestive disorders such as bloating and diarrhea. 
2. Lasi is a good source of hydration. It helps to maintain the body’s fluids during hot weather. Its yogurt base provides a cooling effect and helps to beat the heat.
3. It is easy to prepare with fewer ingredients and with different variations, which we can prepare in festivals and special occasions.

How to make Sweet Lassi Recipe?

The two main ingredients of sweet lassi are yogurt and sugar. In Odisha lassi, a good amount of grated coconut, chopped cashew, cherries, and bournvita powder(optional) are used as garnishing over the sweet lassi.

1. 1. Prepare a thick curd and chill it for 2-3 hours before making Sweet lassi.
      
   2. Cut some cashews for garnishing and keep aside a handful of cashews to grind along with the curd. After grinding the curd, it will become thin, so to make it a little thick, I am adding some cashews.
      
      
   3. While preparing lassi, add some ice cubes to it. The ice cubes help to cool down the temperature of the lasi while churning.
   4. In a blending jar, add chilled yogurt, sugar, ice cubes, and cashews and churn it for a minute so that all the ingredients blend thoroughly.
      
      
   5. Pour the sweet lassi into a glass. Garnish it with grated coconut, bournvita powder(Optional), chopped cashews, almonds and cherries and enjoy.
      
      
      
   6. Hope you find now how to make lassi at home easily following our instructions.